Definition
An aircraft oxygen system that delivers a steady, uninterrupted stream of oxygen from the supply source to the user's mask whenever the system is turned on, regardless of whether the user is inhaling or exhaling. Flow rate is typically regulated based on cabin altitude, and a rebreather-style mask with a reservoir bag captures excess oxygen during exhalation so it can be used on the next breath.
Plain English
An oxygen system that keeps oxygen flowing the whole time it's on, instead of releasing it only when the user breathes in. The mask has a small bag attached that catches the leftover oxygen so it isn't wasted.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft oxygen equipment descriptions, passenger oxygen systems, and maintenance checks of masks, lines, regulators, and oxygen flow indicators.
Derivation
"Continuous" comes from Latin continuus, meaning "uninterrupted" or "holding together." The name describes exactly how the system works: the oxygen flow doesn't stop and start with breathing -- it keeps coming.
Why Pilots Care
Provides reliable oxygen at altitude but uses more gas than demand systems, requiring careful cylinder monitoring.
Analogy
Think of a faucet opened to a small steady stream. Water keeps coming out whether you are using every drop or not; a continuous-flow oxygen system works in that same steady-flow way.
Intuition Check
Continuous-flow does not mean unlimited oxygen or automatically adjusted oxygen. It means oxygen is flowing steadily whenever the system is on.
Example Sentence 1
The light twin was equipped with a continuous-flow oxygen system, so the technician inspected the rebreather bags on each mask during the annual.
Example Sentence 2
Because the continuous-flow oxygen system runs constantly, the crew checked remaining bottle pressure more frequently than usual.