The FAA has approved the Aithre AVI C smart pulse oxygen systems for installation in all Part 23 unpressurized aircraft for 1, 2, 4 and 6 places. Any make, any model, any year, including all unpressurized Beechcraft, Mooney, Cirrus, Cessna, Diamond, Pipers, and every other aircraft certified and flown under Part 23. The simple installation can be performed by any A&P as a minor alteration under NORSEE.
The basis for this unprecedented first-of-its-kind FAA approval for all Part 23 unpressurized aircraft makes and models was on the basis that Aithre’s technology of unpressurized station plumbing lines, simple wiring & installation, low current requirements, and remote push-button activation enhances the safety of aviation by making oxygen more accessible during flight.
Importantly, the AVI C system is blanket approved for primary use where oxygen is not actually required by the regulations (e.g., below 12,500 MSL for the pilot). Meaning, the AVI C system is available for use where oxygen should be used (e.g., above 5K MSL at night and above 8K MSL during the day).
This exciting news means that all Part 23 unpressurized aircraft and owners can now enjoy built-in oxygen with panel-mounted cannula plugs and hidden plumbing lines and an easily removable portable oxygen bottle for filling. Moreover, beyond being neat, tidy, and clean, the Aithre AVI C technology provides incredible never-seen-before endurance through use of microburst MEMS flow sensing technology with biometric feedback.
The experimental aircraft world has already been enjoying use of this technology, selected as Product of the Year 2022 by Aviation Consumer Magazine. This includes models such as the Sling TSI and Sling High Wing, the Velocity 4-Place and Velocity 6-Place Twin Turbos, Vans RV-10, and Glasairs, but now the same technology is available in the Part 23 certified aircraft market.
SYSTEMS OVERVIEW
The Altus AVI C the first installed smart oxygen system that is FAA-approved for aftermarket installation in every make and model Part 23 unpressurized aircraft. The AVI C features a push button remote on/off button and indicator, a wireless Altus Meso pressure gauge, and a complete kit for portable bottle mounting, including cannula plugs, bottle mounts, plumbing lines, cannula fittings, and the AVI C control system with in-app monitoring and biometric feedback using the Aithre Connect iOS app.
MORE PERMANENTÂ SEMI-BUILT-IN SYSTEM
AVI C is designed as a a more permanent semi-built-in oxygen system. We coined the term semi-built-in to describe the oxygen system because the plumbing is hidden while the bottle is accessible and removable. This is an improvement of the fully-built-in systems because the bottles are easier to fill at small FBOs or to remove when not needed, yet the install is clean, tidy, and professional. However, the AVI C is otherwise a fully-built-in system because the control box is ship powered and the plumbing lines are routed behind paneling and concealed with panel-mounted cannula plugs.
ALL INCLUSIVE EXCEPT BOTTLE
The AVI C system provides everything you need to have a built-in smart oxygen system for your certified aircraft except the bottle: custom Mountain High oxygen regulator, control unit, plumbing, mounts, cannulas, fittings, control button indicator, and iOS app. While the Mountain High regulator is included, the bottle itself is not and can be any DOT bottle that is marked for aviation use. This enables the AVI C to use an existing oxygen bottle or purchase another one specific to your mission endurance needs.
TWO OR FOUR OR SIX PLACE
Each place includes an independent smart pulse circuit and a 100% silicone soft cannula to ensure the total comfort of you and your passenger without any stiffness – even maintaining supreme flexibility at low temperatures.
SMART PULSE
Our smart pulse system is the first ever to base pulsed oxygen on MEMS flow measurements. This technology provides enhanced inhalation detection plus provides real-time flow rate determinations and accurate respiration rate feedback. What makes the system smart is the integration with the optional Aithre Connect iOS/WatchOS app with in-app control of oxygen and dynamic pulse duration based on respiration rate and pressure altitude. Simply plug in your cannula, push the button, and oxygen will begin pulsing. The AVI C works without the Aithre Connect app, but the savings is less because the system operates at the 18k MSL pressure level without the app.  By using the Aithre Connect app, the AVI C titrates automatically the oxygen delivery amount based on pressure altitude and provides for further user customization and emergency overrides. Further, with the Aithre Illyrian oximeter, the app allows the pilot to scale down the total oxygen delivery amount to squeeze every drop of useful oxygen out of the system without compromising safety.
MICRO BURST TECHNOLOGY
The AVI C delivers each pulse of oxygen as a series of micro bursts with each inhalation. The micro bursts start immediately upon inhalation and extend over the the first critical portion of the inhalation cycle. The number and spacing of the microbursts are adjusted in real-time and customized for each inhalation based on respiration length, pressure altitude, and other factors. The benefits of microbursts over a single pulse is that the oxygen is infused over the course of inhalation making the delivery smoother and more efficient.
PUSH BUTTON
The Aithre AVI C includes a panel O2 button hardwired to the remote control box to permit turning the oxygen flow on and off. When the O2 button is pushed, the AVI C comes to life and delivers oxygen. Oxygen can be discontinued at anytime by pushing the O2 button again to the off position. The oxygen can be safely turned off with the AVI C connected over long periods without substantial leakage.
IN-APP RESPIRATION AND FLOW MONITORING
Respiration rate and flow information is updated about every 12 seconds in the Aithre Connect app, providing near-real-time snapshots of your breathing rate and the volume of oxygen being delivered. This additional information improves and replaces the physical inline flow meter that has traditionally been part of oxygen systems. And, the AVI C can detect when a cannula has been disconnected or kinked because of the absence of respiration. The app will alert you of the start and stop of oxygen and, when no respiration is detected on the pilot port, the AVI C will sound an on-unit buzzer and turn the button light off.
AUTO MODE SETTINGS
The iOS auto mode settings of the Aithre Connect app are options that permit you to define when the oxygen should begin and end. There are four options currently: pressure altitude, heart rate, SPO2, and carbon monoxide. Each option has a slider bar that allows you to set when the oxygen should start and then a touchable switch that enables or disables the setting. Any or all of the parameters can be defined so that whenever one of the variables is triggered, the oxygen will start automatically.  For instance, pressure altitude can be set to 10k, SPO2 can be set to 92%, carbon monoxide can be set to 5 PPM, and heart rate can be defined as 100 bpm. If any of these parameters occur, then the oxygen will turn on. Conversely, if none of the parameters are met then the oxygen is off, but oxygen will always occur over 10k MSL while in auto mode. The heart rate is interesting because oxygen use is demonstrated to reduce your heart rate and we are observing the ability to impose resistance to heart rate surges during stressful parts of flight. The oxygen during carbon monoxide exposure will not prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, but may improve your odds of being able to remedy an exposure problem.
USER SELECTION OF PERCENTAGE OF STANDARD
The Aithre Connect app provides the ability for independent adjustment of the oxygen concentration per user. We have developed an algorithm that is based on the 1 LPM per 10K MSL that is used by the FAA. However, in some cases this amount is not sufficient for a user and more is desired to maintain a high SPO2 percentage. In other cases, this amount is too much and less oxygen concentration may be desired. Within the app, slider bars are provided for each user that can be dragged to higher or lower percentages of standard. You can always increase the percentage of standard, but for safety you cannot decrease the percentage of standard below 100% without also wearing the Aithre Illyrian oximeter for continuous SPO2 readouts to your phone and paired headset.
ALTUS WIRELESS PRESSURE GAUGE
The Aithre Altus Meso wireless tank pressure gauge comes ready to install on your bottle to provide 0-2500 PSI readings to your iOS device in increments of 10PSI to permit monitoring of your oxygen bottle pressure. The provided high pressure t-fitting enables the Meso transducer to be installed along with the analog pressure gauge.
AITHRE ILLYRIAN AND AITHRE SHIELD COMPATIBLE
The AVI C works in conjunction with the Illyrian continuous flow oximeter and the Shield carbon monoxide detectors when used with the Aithre Connect app. The app receives the information and provides a health dashboard with consolidated output of associated parameters for health and oxygen. Additionally, the app uses the information received from other Aithre devices to optionally control the AVI C, such as to put the oxygen system into emergency mode to provide enhanced safety.
12V SHIP POWER
The AVI C smart valve is a 12V-18V device that uses max peak current of 1A. It is wired directly to fused 12V ship power for experimental aircraft and includes an onboard fuse with over current and reverse current protection.
MOUNTAIN HIGH REGULATOR
The Mountain High Regulator included is custom made by Mountain High for Aithre AVI systems and enables use of any DOT aviation oxygen bottle to be used with the system: carbon fiber composite, aluminum, or Kevlar. Simply hand tighten the MH regulator onto the existing valve of the oxygen bottle and connect the single output push-to-connect port to the AVI C input and open the oxygen bottle valve. That is it. A rubber bottle strap is provided and usable to secure your selected bottle in a convenient location such as the baggage compartment.
EASY INSTALLATION
The AVI C is mounted behind paneling or a bulkhead. The oxygen bottle is strapped down in the baggage area using the provided quick release rubber mount. From there, the AVI C accepts the 6mm plumbing line from the regulator and provides the output flow via the push-to-connect ports. The ports are extended behind paneling using the provided plumbing kit to the respective stations. A panel O2 button indicator is also provided with a wire that extends to the AVI C. The AVI C will pass oxygen to the cannulas when the button is pushed and inhalation is detected.
The AVI C can be mounted up to 15 feet or more from the cannulas. There is no requirement to keep the AVI C on or near your person and the smart pulse operation is unaffected by this distance.
SAFETY BACKUP
The system includes an independent standalone backup bottle for safety. This 47L carbon fiber bottle has a fixed flow regulator that outputs 0.5LPM for 2 hrs. This handheld bottle is designed to supply a simple independent flow of oxygen for pilot use in the event of any AVI C system failure or leakage.
PRICE INCLUDES
- Altus AVI C Smart Valve Controller
- Mountain High Custom Regulator
- Backup Standalone 47L Fixed Flow Bottle
- Dual Prong Soft Aithre Cannulas
- Rubber Bottle Mount
- Aithre Altus Meso Wireless Pressure Gauge
- Custom O2 Backlit Panel Button Indicator
- All Plumbing and Fittings
- iOS Aithre Connect App
AVI C SPECIFICATIONS
- 50 PSI Rating
- 12V Ship Power
- 1.5A Max Current
- 10″ x 3″ x 6″ Overall
- 3 lbs.