What is a common cause of hypoxia in pilots?

Hypoxia, a condition where the body or a region of the body is deprived of adequate oxygen supply, is commonly experienced by pilots due to high altitude flight. At higher altitudes, the atmospheric pressure decreases, resulting in lower partial pressures of oxygen in the air. This means that even though the relative percentage of oxygen in the air remains about the same (approximately 21%), there is significantly less oxygen available to breathe in compared to lower altitudes. As aircraft ascend to altitudes beyond 5,000 feet, and particularly above 10,000 feet, the risk of hypoxia increases because the reduced oxygen levels can impair cognitive and physical functions.

Pilots must be aware of the effects of altitude on oxygen availability and take the necessary precautions, such as using supplemental oxygen, especially during flights that operate at high altitudes. Understanding how high altitude affects oxygen levels is crucial for safe flying and effective handling of the aircraft.