Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Carbon Monoxide (CO)?
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a toxic colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas. It is produced as a product of incomplete combustion of fuels.

What does toxic mean?
A substance is toxic if sufficient exposure can cause death. For example, 1000 parts per million (ppm) CO concentration will cause unconsciousness after 1 hour.

How does Carbon Monoxide (CO) effect the body?
When Carbon Monoxide (CO) is inhaled, it combines with hemoglobin in the blood. Hemoglobin carries the oxygen to every part of the body. The reaction of CO with hemoglobin causes the body’s oxygen delivery to be greatly disturbed, leading to reduced oxygen to all parts of the body, commonly called oxygen starvation.

From the FAA's Advisory Circular (AC 20-32B), “Oxygen starvation of the brain reduces a person's ability to reason and make decisions. Exposure to even very small amounts of CO over a period of several hours will reduce a pilot's ability to operate an airplane safely. Long exposure to low CO concentrations is as hazardous as short exposure to relatively high concentrations.”

Why is Carbon Monoxide (CO) so dangerous for pilots?
The effects are "insidious", that is, the exposure to even small concentration for the duration of a flight may cause reduced performance.

What are the possible symptoms?

Flu-like
Dizziness
Nausea
Weakness/Fatigue
Vomiting
Redness of the skin
Sleepiness
Confusion
Breathing difficulties
Blurred vision
Headache
Rapid heartbeat
Tightening of the chest

It is important to notice that if you asked your passengers to report any of these symptoms that most flights would be ended early because of "Carbon Monoxide (CO) symptoms".

What action should the pilot take if they suspect Carbon Monoxide (CO) in the cockpit?
We suggest that:

Turn off the heater
Vent (ventilate) - Open a fresh air source
No smoking
Use oxygen (if available)
Determine the source of the Carbon Monoxide (CO) (or fumes)

Our suggestions are like the FAA's in Advisory Circular (AC 20-32B):

If you smell exhaust odors or begin to feel any of the symptoms previously mentioned, you should immediately assume Carbon Monoxide is present and should take the following precautions:

Immediately shut off the cabin air heater and close any other openings that might convey the engine compartment air to the cabin.
Open a fresh air source immediately.
Avoid smoking.
Inhale 100 percent oxygen if available.
If you are flying, land at the first opportunity and ensure that any effects from CO are gone before further flight.
Determine that CO is not being allowed to enter the cabin because of a defective exhaust, unsealed opening between engine compartment and cabin, or any other factor.

Why should I NOT use a home or Recreational Vehicle (RV) CO Monitor in my aircraft?
Home and Recreational Vehicle (RV) units are designed and manufactured to U.S. national and international standards for specific CO levels and operating characteristics. These levels and operations are substantially different from those needed for aircraft use. Also, home/RV units do not correct for altitude. In addition, many do not correct for relative humidity and/or temperature.

Why does your unit cost so much more than a home or Recreational Vehicle (RV) unit?
KOMeter™ is:

Much smaller
Much lighter
Corrected for altitude - Altitude is very important for pilots (and not important at all for houses or RVs)
Corrected for Relative Humidity for increased accuracy
Corrected for Temperature for increased accuracy
Designed solely for aircraft use
Supports a wide range of input voltages
Includes a digital clock for UTC/Zulu/GMT

Also, KOMeter™ is made in much smaller quantities than home/RV units using state of the art surface mount integrated circuit technology.

Why is Universal Coordinated Time abbreviated UTC?
UTC is the designation for Coordinated Universal Time, the international time standard. It is also known as Zulu Time and is the same as GMT - Greenwich Mean Time.

How much does KOMeter™ weigh?
KOMeter™ weighs approximately 4 ounces or 11 grams.

What is included?
One KOMeter™ Carbon Monoxide (CO) Monitor
with 39 inch / 1 meter of MIL-W-16878 (TFE insulation) power wiring

One Pilot/Installation Manual

One connector with pins

Three grommets

Three Velcro^® tabs (hook and loop fasteners)

Is the Pilot/Installation Manual available on-line?
Yes, in various formats at Pilot/Installation Manual

What are the characteristics of the wire?
The wire is 39 inches (1 meter) long and per MIL-W-16878 (TFE insulation). One is red, plus (+) voltage and one is black (ground).

What are the characteristics of the Velcro^® tabs? What are the characteristics of the Velcro^® tabs?
The Velcro^® tabs are black hook and loop fasteners for aircraft use. They are flame retardant per FAA requirements. The fasteners meet Boeing Material Specifications (BMS) 8-285.

What is the installation time?
Typical installation takes less than an hour. Only two wires need to be connected and routed. Mounting on the instrument panel is accomplished with a Velcro^® hook and loop fastener. Routing of the two wires must consider possible sources of abrasion. Good aircraft electrical wiring practices must be followed.

Can any Airframe/Powerplant (A/P) Mechanic install KOMeter™?
Yes, and it may be installed by the registered owner/pilot of the aircraft.

What FAA paperwork is required when installing KOMeter™?
None, since KOMeter™ is not a permanently installed item or a substantial modification to the aircraft effecting the aircraft performance. No FAA paperwork is required. An entry and Annual/100 hour checks should be made in the Aircraft Logbook.

What inspections are recommended for KOMeter™?
Yearly (and/or 100 hour) inspections should include a check of the sensor access hole for cleanliness. Also check that the right-most decimal point LED (Light Emitting Diode) is OFF. If the right-most decimal point LED is ON, the unit should be replaced. Contact Us for service.

Once KOMeter™ is installed, what calibration procedure is needed?
No calibration is needed.

KOMeter™ should not be exposed to tobacco smoke (in other words do NOT blow smoke into the unit trying to cause a reading). Should KOMeter™ be exposed to smoke (from a fire), it should be replaced. Contact Us for service.

Where should KOMeter™ be mounted?
KOMeter™ may be mounted anywhere the pilot desires, but within sight and reach. It is recommended that KOMeter™ be mounted near the throttle or engine instruments as they are in the pilot’s scan. Since KOMeter™ has a clock, some pilots may prefer to mount KOMeter™ on the left side of the instrument panel.

What is the warranty?
KOMeter™ is warranted for three (3) years to the original purchaser. The aircraft information (identification number, manufacturer, type, and year) and registered owner must be provided on the Order Form.

What is the design life?
The design life is five (5) years. This is due to the solid-state sensor's life. The KOMeter™ will indicate "failed" by turning "ON" the right-most decimal point LED, the unit should be replaced. Contact Us for service.

Why is KOMeter™ not battery powered?
Batteries are a source of failure. Batteries must be replaced. Batteries corrode. Batteries get forgotten. (Batteries are bad!) So we chose to power KOMeter™ using the aircraft power. Also, brighter LEDs are for a daylight readable display.

Does KOMeter™ have a battery?
Yes, it has a 10 year life sealed lithium battery to power the clock. (And we know "Batteries are a source of failure. Batteries must be replaced. Batteries corrode. Batteries get forgotten. (Batteries are bad!)", but there was no alternative, we didn’t want you to have to set the clock on every power-on cycle or have it blinking 1200 or take the chance of running down the aircraft battery.

Is KOMeter™ "toxic waste"?
No, the lithium battery does not require special handling or disposal, but we request that you return old units to us for recycling. Contact Us to return old KOMeter™ units.

What voltage/current is needed to operate KOMeter™?
Nine (9) to twenty-eight (28) Volts Direct Current (VDC) at 100 milliamps (0.1 amps).

Does KOMeter™ have a fuse?
Yes, but it is not serviceable by the user. The fuse provides protection from mis-wiring. Should the unit fail to power on, Contact Us for service.

Is KOMeter™ patented?
Not yet, but a patent has been applied for.

What does KOMeter™ mean?
KOMeter™ came from a play on CO Meter or CO Monitor, also KO means "Knock Out" in boxing (Not a good thing for pilots!).

Can you ship world-wide?
Yes. KOMeter™ can easily be shipped anywhere in the world. However, extra shipping costs may apply. Duties, taxes and other charges are the Customer's responsibility. KOMeter™ is "Aviation Safety Equipment" therefore the duties should be minimal. Please Contact Us for specific charges or how best we can deliver your KOMeter™.

Do you have any more questions?
Please Contact Us

If you have any suggestions on how we can improve our products or services please fill out the Customer Feedback. It may be sent via E-mail, fax or mail.