How long can the OBOGS provide oxygen during flight?

OBOGS, or On-Board Oxygen Generating System, is designed to produce oxygen from ambient air, making it a significant asset for flight operations, particularly at high altitudes. The system extracts oxygen from the atmospheric air available during flight, which allows for continuous oxygen supply as long as the aircraft is in operation and the system is functioning correctly.

The capability for an unlimited duration is primarily due to the nature of the OBOGS system; because it generates oxygen instead of relying on a finite supply, it can effectively provide oxygen for the duration of the flight without running out. This is in contrast to systems that depend on stored oxygen in tanks, which have a limited capacity and hence a restricted operational time frame before depletion.

Understanding this feature is crucial for flight safety, as it ensures that pilots and crew can maintain adequate oxygen levels during flight under various conditions, especially at higher altitudes where oxygen levels are lower.