Question 1

ATPFlightSchool.com What causes motion sickness/airsickness?

Accepted Answer

The brain receiving conflicting messages fabout the state of the body from the eyes versus the inner ear.

Question 2

ATPFlightSchool.com What are common symptoms of motion sickness?

Accepted Answer

General discomfort, nausea, dizziness, paleness, sweating, vomiting.

Question 3

ATPFlightSchool.com If a new student pilot experiences motion sickness, is this cause for concern?

Accepted Answer

Generally, no. Motion sickness usually goes away within the first few lessons.

Question 4

ATPFlightSchool.com How can pilots avoid motion sickness?

Accepted Answer

Avoid flights in turbulent conditions. Start with short lessons and work up to longer flights.

Question 5

ATPFlightSchool.com What can pilots do to treat motion sickness if it occurs in flight?

Accepted Answer

Open fresh air vents, focus on objects outside the airplane, avoid unneccessary head movements, terminate the flight.

Question 6

ATPFlightSchool.com What is spatial disorientation?

Accepted Answer

A lack of orientation with regard to the position, attitude, or movement of the airplane in space.

Question 7

ATPFlightSchool.com What three systems provide the brain with information on the body's orientation and movement?

Accepted Answer

Visual (eyes), vestibular (inner ear), somatosensory (nerves in skin/muscles/joints - seat of the pants)

Question 8

ATPFlightSchool.com Which system is the body's primary orientation source?

Accepted Answer

The visual system, which is why spatial disorientation is much more likely in IMC than in VMC.

Question 9

ATPFlightSchool.com List some ways to prevent spatial disorientation.

Accepted Answer

Understand why illusions occur and remain alert for them. Obtain a preflight weather briefing and use it to avoid poor visibility. Avoid sudden head movements. If intending to fly at night, remain night current and proficient. If flying in marginal visibility or IMC, remain instrument proficient. Remain physically fit for flight. Place your trust in the flight instruments and disregard your sensory perceptions.

Question 10

ATPFlightSchool.com What are some examples of illusions that can lead to spatial disorientation?

Accepted Answer

The leans, Coriolis illusion, graveyard spiral, somatogravic illusion, inversion illusion, elevator illusion, false horizon, autokinesis.

Question 11

ATPFlightSchool.com Describe the leans.

Accepted Answer

Vestibular system cannot detect slow roll rates. Slow, undetectable roll to one side followed by quick, detectable roll to wings level creates illusion of bank in the opposite direction. (Pilots tend to lean to what feels like vertical until the feeling goes away.)

Question 12

ATPFlightSchool.com Describe the Coriolis illusion.

Accepted Answer

In an extended constant-rate turn, fluid in ear canal eventually moves at same speed as the canal, and sensation of turning stops. Moving the head in a different plane can start fluid moving again and create illusion of turn on a totally different axis. Avoid by not making sudden head movements.

Question 13

ATPFlightSchool.com Describe the graveyard spiral.

Accepted Answer

Pilot unwittingly enters a shallow turn (often due to a case of the leans). Pilot notices the loss of altitude but not the turn, and adds back pressure to correct. This tightens the turn and increases the loss of altitude. Unless pilot corrects to wings level, spiral will continue to tighten until control is lost or aircraft hits ground.

Question 14

ATPFlightSchool.com Describe the somatogravic illusion.

Accepted Answer

Rapid forwards acceleration creates the illusion of being in a nose-high attitude. (Both push you back in your seat.) Disoriented pilot reacts by pushing the nose down. The same can happen in reverse when the aircraft decelerates.

Question 15

ATPFlightSchool.com Describe the inversion illusion.

Accepted Answer

Abrupt change from climb to straight-and-level flight causes the illusion of tumbling backwards.

Airsickness and Disorientation - ATP Flight School Flashcards

By ATP Flight School. Reviews aeromedical factors concepts: airsickness and disorientation.

Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Airsickness and Disorientation - ATP Flight School Flashcards

By ATP Flight School. Reviews aeromedical factors concepts: airsickness and disorientation.

Brainscape's Knowledge Genome^TM