FAA PROTE Hypoxia Chamber at NWAC26

Pilots attending the Northwest Aviation Conference & Trade Show in 2026 will have a unique opportunity to participate in FAA hypoxia awareness training through the Portable Reduced Oxygen Training Enclosure (PROTE). This mobile hypoxia chamber, operated by the FAA’s aerospace physiology team, simulates the reduced oxygen environments encountered at high altitudes by lowering the percentage of oxygen in the air while keeping atmospheric pressure at ground level.

Hypoxia — a condition caused by insufficient oxygen in the blood and tissues — can impair judgment, motor skills, and cognitive function well before a pilot realizes there’s a problem. Because its onset is subtle and highly individual, many aviators may not recognize their own symptoms in flight. The PROTE chamber gives pilots a safe, controlled environment to experience their personal hypoxia signs firsthand, a powerful learning tool that reinforces why recognizing and responding to oxygen deprivation matters for flight safety.

During a PROTE session, participants breathe simulated “altitude” air that mimics the oxygen content found at altitudes up to the mid-20,000-foot range, allowing them to observe how their performance and mental acuity change as oxygen levels drop. Exercises often include simple tasks designed to highlight declines in cognitive and motor skills, helping pilots link specific symptoms to hypoxic exposure.

By attending a training slot in the PROTE chamber, pilots can better understand how reduced oxygen affects them personally and learn how to take proactive measures in flight — such as using supplemental oxygen and monitoring physiological cues. This experience not only enhances individual safety awareness but also supports broader aviation safety goals by helping pilots recognize and mitigate a real and potentially dangerous in-flight hazard.

Additional information, including reservable training times, will be available soon and will be provided by the FAA Safety Team