Matt Ricciardi Posted September 14, 2023 Share Posted September 14, 2023 I plan to equip my VL3 with a Mountain High O2D2 supplemental oxygen system (for high-altitude operations) and a Tanis electric engine pre-heat system (for cold weather operations). The safety page on the JMB website mentions that an oxygen system can be added "upon customer's request" but it wasn't an option on the order form. Can these options be installed at the factory or are they best handled as "aftermarket" installations upon delivery in Salisbury? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Errol Bader Posted September 14, 2023 Share Posted September 14, 2023 Hello Matt. Take a look at this website : AITHRE Oxygen System for VL3 https://aithreaviation.com/ This system can be purchased and installed at the factory. The price in USD is $10,500. It is essentially a Mountain High unit attached to a frame behind the seats and plumbed through them to the front .It is also integrated with the 3GX glass panel for monitoring so it is more than just a mechanical installation. The inlets are between the seats in the cockpit . I would think it would be possible to have it installed post production at a JMB Service center. However since this is new it has not been addressed yet. This system will show up soon as a option in new order forms. I have one of the early versions of the Mountain High computer I just had rebuilt. It works great after 15 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Ricciardi Posted September 14, 2023 Author Share Posted September 14, 2023 Quote The price in USD is $10,500. It is essentially a Mountain High unit attached to a frame behind the seats and plumbed through them to the front. It is also integrated with the 3GX glass panel for monitoring so it is more than just a mechanical installation. Yikes. That's substantially (about 5x) more expensive than the Mountain High O2D2 system. The G3X avionics integration is neat, but I'll stick with the functionally equivalent aftermarket solution given the price difference. Being able to remove the system when not in use--most flights for me--is also important to free up cargo space and reduce clutter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hodes Posted January 20 Share Posted January 20 I'm probably going to wo with the O2D2 system as well. I have a 12V power supply between the two seats, so I'll be able to plug in the unit. When I was in the Czech Republic for the build, I met an Czech owner getting his plane serviced. He had a 3D printed plastic "clamp" glued into the baggage area to hold the oxygen cylinder in place. Since we are E-AB, we can add things like that without any FAA paperwork. I did not get the XL configuration, so I want to measure the cargo area before buying a tank. I live out west and like to file IFR, so I will probably be on oxygen most flights. I want to get as large a tank as I can, so I don't have to refill all the time. Additionally, if I do a long flight in the flight levels, I'll need a big tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Vause-JMB Western US Posted February 2 Share Posted February 2 On the subject of Oxygen Systems I just posted info here.... looks like we have multiple conversation streams about that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Galardi Posted April 16 Share Posted April 16 May want to check this out -- it was released this week at Sun-n-Fun. We used something like this in the hospitals and surgery centers I once "lived" in. Aithre Turbo Oxygen Maker (aithreaviation.com) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Ricciardi Posted April 17 Author Share Posted April 17 AVweb posted an interview and demo of the Aithre Turbo Oxygen Maker on YouTube. Presenter said it can support two people up to 15k feet or one person up to 18k feet with continuous flow. Cost is north of $5k. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Harris Posted April 17 Share Posted April 17 Matt, Several of us are going this route. The box is big, but if we can mount behind the rear bulkhead you have a very clean install that doesn’t take up any baggage space. The altitude limitations could be conservative figures. Understandably, Aithre is being conservative out of the gate. The gulf states guys are going to install this system in their 916 demo which should be arriving soon, so we should have more feedback in a couple of months and they be may be able to offer an installation option for VL3 owners that are interested. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Ricciardi Posted April 17 Author Share Posted April 17 18 minutes ago, Jim Harris said: The gulf states guys are going to install this system in their 916 demo which should be arriving soon, so we should have more feedback in a couple of months and they be may be able to offer an installation option for VL3 owners that are interested. Excellent. Please keep us posted! Group after-market arrangement sounds promising and more economical for everyone. My current plan is to do nothing initially, see how this option shakes out, and then decide next steps. I'm on the East Coast, so oxygen isn't essential, although I'll eventually want to get up higher for better performance and fuel economy with the turbocharged engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Ricciardi Posted July 18 Author Share Posted July 18 JMB's maintenance partner here in the States just installed the AITHRE oxygen system in a VL3. Couple photos attached. I like how the concentrator box is in the tail section and so does not detract from limited cargo space. Aftermarket price was quoted as $5.5k plus (unspecified) installation. I believe this plane will be on display at the JMB booth at Oshkosh later this month. I'm going to wait for reports from the first few customers before making a decision myself, but this AITHRE system does seem like a nice oxygen solution. No bottle to refill and no reduction in usable interior space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hodes Posted July 19 Share Posted July 19 It looks really nice. Who is the maintenance partner? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Ricciardi Posted July 19 Author Share Posted July 19 1 hour ago, Michael Hodes said: Who is the maintenance partner? So far as I know, Azure Flight Support, the same folks in Tennessee who reassemble the planes after shipping from Europe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Harris Posted July 20 Share Posted July 20 Correct. And the new version of the system eliminates the flow meter. It adjusts the flow digitally now which is very nice. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Ricciardi Posted July 20 Author Share Posted July 20 58 minutes ago, Jim Harris said: And the new version of the system eliminates the flow meter. It adjusts the flow digitally now which is very nice. Jim, any hard data on flow capacity, particularly how high it can support two average adults? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Harris Posted July 20 Share Posted July 20 9 hours ago, Matt Ricciardi said: Jim, any hard data on flow capacity, particularly how high it can support two average adults? The published number is two people up to 15,000 ft. In talking to them at SnF, that number is most likely conservative. Everyone will be different of course. The nice thing is the package we are getting from Gulf States includes all the biometric monitoring add-ons so you can monitor your metrics real time and it gives you haptic warnings if your pulse ox gets below a set point. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Ricciardi Posted July 20 Author Share Posted July 20 4 hours ago, Jim Harris said: The published number is two people up to 15,000 ft. That nicely coincides with the critical altitude on the 915iS and 916iS engines, although the service ceiling is higher. I'm leaning in this direction but plan to wait-and-see how the first few installations work out before making a final decision. No rush since I don't have a plane yet anyway... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Badalamenti Posted July 24 Share Posted July 24 The Gulf States demo VL3 gets it next (within days) and mine as well when it is there for reassembly in presumably 2-3 months. Aithre presents it as a no brainer decision and hopeful that’s the case. Seeing the great speed and efficiency numbers at 12,500’ from the VL3 in your photos on its flight to Oshkosh makes me really want to climb to take advantage when it makes sense. Helps having such a strong climb rate. Can’t wait! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hodes Posted July 25 Share Posted July 25 I want to have my aircraft and know the weight and balance before I put 7 lbs that far aft. I think it will probably not be a problem, but I want to run my expected loading scenarios to confirm. I think my aircraft left Chocen in the past couple of days, but I need to confirm. I might be flying it mid-September. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Ricciardi Posted July 25 Author Share Posted July 25 2 hours ago, Michael Hodes said: I want to have my aircraft and know the weight and balance before I put 7 lbs that far aft. I think it will probably not be a problem, but I want to run my expected loading scenarios to confirm. Good point. Total weight won't be an issue with the 750 kg option, but I had the same thought about balance tipping too far aft when I saw the placement. As you say, I assume JMB/Gulf States/Azure calculated the balance change and determined it was still well within range. 2 hours ago, Michael Hodes said: I think my aircraft left Chocen in the past couple of days, but I need to confirm. I might be flying it mid-September. Awesome! Reassembly and Phase I testing at Azure in Tennessee? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hodes Posted July 25 Share Posted July 25 Josh confirmed the plane left Chocen last Thursday. The plane is being shipped to Sebring, FL. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Ricciardi Posted July 27 Author Share Posted July 27 Here what the piping behind the seats looks like in this initial installation of the AITHRE oxygen system: Looks a bit precarious. I'd be concerned about accidentally hitting it while loading the cargo area. In fairness, I haven't seen it in person, and I assume the installation mechanics will be refined as more installations are completed. Photo courtesy of @Jim Harris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Harris Posted July 27 Share Posted July 27 Matt, They will be fabricating a cover to go over all the exposed plumbing. They ran out of time before having to get that airplane to the show. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Ricciardi Posted July 27 Author Share Posted July 27 13 minutes ago, Jim Harris said: They will be fabricating a cover to go over all the exposed plumbing. Ah, perfect. Makes sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Fankhauser Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 Im thinking about installing this system in my VL3 but heard from someone that he gets to 91% O2 at 15k MSL without a passenger. Now Im reconsidering. Does anyone have other experiences? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Ricciardi Posted August 31 Author Share Posted August 31 On 8/28/2024 at 12:40 PM, David Fankhauser said: Im thinking about installing this system in my VL3 but heard from someone that he gets to 91% O2 at 15k MSL without a passenger. Now Im reconsidering. Does anyone have other experiences? I don't have personal experience with the AITHRE system, but my colleague owns an RV-9A and says it has been a topic of discussion in the Van's community. Perhaps check the Van's Air Force message board. More VL3s with the AITHRE system are on-order and will soon be flying in the States, so likely more feedback from VL3 owners coming in the months ahead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now