Definition
An SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) Aerospace Standard that defines the purity and water-content requirements for Aviator's Breathing Oxygen (ABO) used in aircraft oxygen systems. It specifies that the oxygen must be at least 99.5% pure by volume and contain no more than a small, defined amount of water vapor, so that it remains safe to breathe at altitude and will not freeze and block oxygen lines or regulators in cold conditions.
Plain English
It is the official rulebook that says aircraft breathing oxygen has to be very pure and very dry. Pilots use this standard to make sure the oxygen put into their airplane is the right kind for flying.
Context Anchor
Seen in oxygen system discussions and when checking what type of oxygen may be used to fill an aircraft oxygen bottle.
Derivation
SAE stands for Society of Automotive Engineers, an engineering organization that writes technical standards for vehicles, including aircraft. 'AS' means Aerospace Standard, and 8010 is simply the document number. Knowing this tells you SAE AS8010 is a published technical specification, not a regulation or law.
Why Pilots Care
Ensures the oxygen equipment a pilot depends on at altitude has been tested and certified to perform correctly under real flight conditions.
Intuition Check
SAE AS8010 is not a brand, part number, or cockpit setting. It is the quality standard for the oxygen itself.
Example Sentence 1
Before the high-altitude flight, the line crew refilled the aircraft's oxygen bottle with aviator's breathing oxygen meeting SAE AS8010.
Example Sentence 2
During preflight, the pilot confirmed that the installed oxygen cylinder met SAE AS8010 requirements.