AVIATION: Jet-Age Masks

The coming jet age will also bring a new safety problem: the possibility of failure of plane pressurization at high altitudes. As a safeguard, the Civil Aeronautics Board ruled last week that all jetliners flying above 25,000 ft. (and almost all jets will) must carry oxygen masks for all their passengers in case of emergency. Manufacturers have installed “automatic presentation” systems in all jets, so that the pilot can make each passenger’s mask pop out of an overhead compartment by pressing a button. All the passenger has to do is hold the rubber cup over his nose and mouth. As a further safety measure, one pilot will wear an oxygen mask at all times above 25,000 ft.