Del E. Webb High Altitude Training Chamber

Arizona State University is one of only two universities in the United States that offers Federal Aviation Administration-approved altitude chamber training focused on hypoxia recognition and response.

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Train in a facility few students can access

The Del E. Webb High Altitude Training Chamber gives ASU aviation students a rare hands-on learning experience.

Located on ASU’s Polytechnic campus, the facility includes two hypobaric chambers capable of simulating altitudes above 75,000 feet. One supports student training and the other supports aviation and aerospace research.

Experience the human side of flight

As altitude increases, atmospheric pressure decreases, reducing the partial pressure of oxygen available to the body. This can lead to hypoxia, a condition that impairs judgment, coordination, and performance if not recognized and addressed. In the chamber, students experience their own hypoxia symptoms in a controlled environment and learn to recognize their personal warning signs before they become dangerous.

This firsthand training helps students connect aviation science, flight safety and human performance.

What will you do in the chamber?

As part of aviation physiology and human factors coursework, students participate in classroom instruction and chamber operations that may include:

  • Hypoxia recognition training
  • Oxygen equipment familiarization
  • Rapid decompression demonstrations
  • Human performance exercises at altitude
  • Night vision demonstrations

These experiences provide practical knowledge that complements flight training and classroom learning.

Learn alongside aviation research

The chamber is also used for research on human performance, oxygen systems and aerospace technologies. Students learn in a facility that supports industry and government projects while gaining exposure to real-world aviation challenges.

Why it matters

Few aviation programs offer altitude chamber training as part of the student experience. At the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University, students gain a deeper understanding of aviation physiology, flight safety and the factors that influence pilot performance.

Contact Us

Del E. Webb Foundation High Altitude Chamber Lab
7108 E. Tiburon
Mesa, AZ 85212

480-727-1254
[email protected]

Take a course in high-altitude training

Upon successful completion, participants will receive a certificate of completion and FAA form 3150-1 or training transcript (upon request). This training is WINGS credit eligible.

Learn more about the training course