Updated: 9:55 pm ET May 6, 2009
The Department of Transportation (DOT) final rule “Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air Travel” (effective May 13, 2009) contains air carrier requirements regarding the use of respiratory assistive devices on aircraft. In the DOT final rule, section 382.133 generally requires that air carriers conducting passenger service must permit someone with a disability to use an FAA-approved portable oxygen concentrator (POC) on all flights (on aircraft originally designed to have a maximum passenger capacity of more than 19 seats) unless the device does not meet applicable FAA requirements for medical portable electronic devices (M-PED) and does not display a manufacturer’s label that indicates the device meets those FAA requirements.
All FAA approved POCs meet FAA requirements for M-PEDs. However, while it was anticipated that there would be labeling on POCs by May 13, 2009, there is currently labeling on very few POCs. The FAA is committed to facilitating the implementation of the DOT rule while ensuring compliance with FAA safety regulations.
To help air carriers obtain positive testing results for FAA approved POCs, the FAA has contacted the manufacturers of FAA approved POCs and requested positive testing results regarding section 21, Category M of RTCA Document (DO) -160 testing. The FAA is making these documents available on this website as they are received.
For more information, see FAA InFO 09006 (PDF), “Department of Transportation (DOT) final rule “Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air Travel” and the use of respiratory assistive devices on aircraft.”
Positive Testing Results:
9:55 pm ET May 6, 2009