Pilots have always been the smooth-faced operators of the air, but a recent study from SFU debunked the myth that respirators need a hair free surface to work effectively. Air Canada has now changed its policy on facial hair for aircrew to allow neatly trimmed beards with a maximum length of 1.25 centimetres. Air Canada commissioned a team from the university to test the efficacy of respirators on bearded pilots after receiving an application from an experienced pilot who is Sikh. The men wore two different models of mask supplied by Air Canada while researchers monitored their blood oxygen saturation levels and tested respirators for protection against carbon monoxide or toxic fumes in the case of smoke in the cabin. The Canadian Armed Forces and a smaller carrier, North Cariboo Air, have contacted Ferguson requesting the data to consider changing their own policy.

Source: CBC News September 15, 2018 00:22 UTC