Yesterday the FAA published a Final Rule on the “Use of Certain Portable Oxygen Concentrator Devices Onboard Aircraft”. The rule creates a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) which sets out the conditions under which aircraft passengers will be permitted to use certain portable oxygen concentrator (POC) devices on aircraft. The SFAR includes a POC preparation requirement for carry-on baggage transport, and a battery-packaging standard necessary for the safe carriage of extra POC batteries in carry-on baggage.
The SFAR allows the use of the AirSep Lifestyle or Inogen One Portable Oxygen Concentrator medical device units and no others. It is important to note that the SFAR does not require an aircraft operator to allow passengers to operate these devices onboard, but if an aircraft operator chooses to allow a passenger to operate these devices onboard the aircraft operator’s aircraft the conditions in the SFAR must be met.
The SFAR becomes effective August 11, 2005. For further information, you should read the Final Rule in its entirety or you can contact David L. Catey, Air Transportation Division, AFS-200, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 267-3732.
