Emirates beard
 

Saw a crew at Orlando the other day and one of the copilots had a massive beard. Literally almost a foot long, not one of those trimmed fancy ones. It was clearly interesting enough for me to post on APC about it. Curious what their policy is on facial hair.

Facial hair is allowed. No length limit that I know of. Thats one of my favorite things about Emirates. I don't have to shave before work...

Impossibly fatiguing schedules, rising COL, huge pilot turnover, difficult management, crazy Dubai living all compensated by not shaving. Got it.

GF

Lighten up Francis. I said facial hair was one of the good things about EK. I wasn't exactly cheerleading for the company....

I mean his post was pretty funny.

Massive beards are borderline requirement over there

Had a beard my entire time working in the Middle East, it was much nice than the “Sully” mustache look allowed back home here.

BTW the rationale behind the beard thing is religious, and offending the deity > O2 mask seal

Facial hair doesn't prevent O2 flow from the masks.


Also I only want to wear a beard in cold climates. Why would someone want hair that traps heat when they live in the hot desert?

It does not prevent O2 flow but does reduce overall efficiency of the mask and the ability to seal out toxic fumes. The question is how much of a reduction is acceptable. That amount varies between facial types and mask design. In professions that deal with highly toxic chemicals you won’t find beards. Most people stating it’s a non issue quote one very limited Air Canada study using one type of mask. There are lots of other studies out there.

a. caused a
respirators. average
Several investigators had reported that the presence of beards decrement in the efficiency on half masks, full masks, and
-. A Department of Navy study (No. NADC-722110CS) reported an '
inboard leakage of 16 to 67 percent for military-type crew oxygen
masks when tested with subjects wearing beards to altitudes of 18,000 feet. Civilian crew oxygen masks vary considerably from these types of masks
because of differences in basic mask designs, suspension systems,.,and controlling regulators. Consequently, CAMI conducted'research to determine if the problems noted in these reports would also be present when civil aviation oxygen equipment was tested.
b. During the CAMI research, three popular TSO-approved 'crewmember oxygen masks equipped with mask-mounted regulators were tested to determine if a decrement in performance would occur as a result of the presence of
facial hair. The data resulting from these tests indicated
does occur when facial hair is present along
that decrement the sealing
oxygen equipment manufacturers, concluded that respirator/oxygen
referred to as "demand") masks cannot be donned rapidly and do not seal over beards or heavy facial hair. This lack of a seal could result in a reduced amount of oxygen in the mask and the entry of smoke or toxic fumes that could result in reduced crewmember capability and performance.
in performance surface of
oxygen masks. This decrement present, the type mask worn,
is proportional suspension
to the amount system
crew hair
of facial
associated with the mask, and the exercise level to which the individual is subjected. This study, as well as studies conducted by the military and
the
(sometimes

Whether you live or die on any given flight isn't really up to you anyway. Inshallah.

Oxygen to Emergency - Fumes can’t fight the output of positive flow.

This is why they allow it in US Part 135 and "121" in Europe, Asia and Canada as well?