Carbon Monoxide Detector

[Jim Meade]

What is the story on CO detectors in FD airplanes? Does FD have a position on this? Do you have personal experience? Do you use one?

 

I'm looking at a Model 300 Pocket CO advertised on Aircraft Spruce (cheaper than Amazon!) It alarms at or above 50 ppm, which is the FAA recommendation. Cost about $125.

 

Some use household types. They may not have a low enough alert level and may take too long to alert. But, they're cheaper, some for around $30-$40.

 

http://www.kwjengineering.com/products/carbon-monoxide/portable/pocket-co-300

 

Here is the NTSB SAIB from May 2010

 

http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgSAIB.nsf/dc7bd4f27e5f107486257221005f069d/413fa715bc3aec0e8625771c00683d3c/$FILE/CE-10-33.pdf

 

It has an internal reference to an FAA study that discusses desireable characteristics.

 

Here's a Mike Busch review form AvWeb in 2003 which recommends a more expensive device.

 

http://www.aeromedix.com/aeromedix_articles/co/index.html