FAA Suggests Easing Oxygen Mask Regulations for GA Pilots
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a noteworthy Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). This proposal could ease the altitude limits at which pilots operating pressurized aircraft must continuously wear oxygen masks. This potential change is being warmly received by many in the general aviation and business aviation communities.
As per the existing Part 91 regulations, one pilot is required to wear and use an oxygen mask above Flight Level 350 (FL350). However, two-pilot crews equipped with quick-donning masks are exempt up to FL410. The new proposal, which was published on September 24, 2026, would permit pressurized aircraft fitted with quick-donning masks to operate at any altitude for which the airplane is certificated without mandating a pilot to continuously wear a mask.
For Part 135 operations involving more than one pilot, the compulsory mask-wearing threshold would increase from FL350 to FL410. For single-pilot Part 135 operations, the threshold would rise from FL250 to FL350.
The FAA estimates that the cost of oxygen servicing varies from $100 to $400 per fill. Based on approximately 4.7 million annual Part 91 and 135 turbojet and multiengine turboprop operations, the agency anticipates that operators could save between $4.7 million and $18.6 million annually for every 1% of operations that avoid an oxygen servicing event under the revised rules.
These proposed changes originate from a directive in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. Public comments are invited until November 23, 2026.
Source: AVweb – FAA Proposes Relaxed Pilot Oxygen Mask Rules, September 24, 2026