H. Human Factors Flashcards
What is hypoxia?
Hypoxemia is when oxygen levels in the blood are lower than normal. If blood oxygen levels are too low, your body may not work properly.
Types of Hypoxia?
- hypoxic
- hypemic
- histotoxic
- stagnant
What factors can make a pilot more susceptible to hypoxia? What actions may help?
Hypoxic - Lack of oxygen absorbed by the body due to atmospheric conditions. (reduce altitude)
Hypemic - Carbon monoxide inhaled in smoking or from exhaust fumes, donating blood. (Open air vents, close heat, CO checklist)
Histotoxic - Alcohol, certain drugs, such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives.
Stagnant - Extreme cold, pulling excessive Gs. (Turn on heat, fly straight and level)
What is hyperventilation?
Hyperventilation, increase in the volume of air breathed in and out of the lungs, can occur subconsciously when a stressful situation is encountered in flight.
This results in a significant decrease in the carbon dioxide content of the blood.
Can be treated by blowing into a paper bag to help absorb more carbon monoxide.
What is the cause of motion sickness and what are its symptoms?
Motion sickness is caused by continued stimulation of the inner ear, which controls the sense of balance.
The symptoms are progressive and include loss of appetite, saliva collecting in the mouth, perspiration, nausea, disorientation, headache, and possible vomiting.
Tips to help:
- Avoid heavy meals before flight
- Remain hydrated; drink water
- No aggressive head motion during flight; use slow, purposeful movements
- When becoming queasy and the flight environment permits, try focusing on the horizon outside the airplane
- Place cool air vents on the face
- Breathe slowly, and relax (use supplemental oxygen if necessary)
What is ear block?
Either an upper respiratory infection, such as a cold or sore throat, or a nasal allergic condition can produce enough congestion around the Eustachian tube to make equalization difficult. The difference in pressure between the middle ear and aircraft cabin can build to a level that will hold the Eustachian tube closed, making equalization difficult if not impossible. An ear block produces severe pain and loss of hearing that can last from several hours to several days.
Tips to help:
- swallowing
- yawning
- tensing muscles in the throat
What regulations apply to alcohol?
The regulations prohibit pilots from drinking within 8 hours of flight, while under the influence of alcohol, or having .04 percent blood/alcohol level.
How does scuba diving affect flight?
After scuba diving you should allow the body sufficient time to rid itself of excess nitrogen absorbed during diving. If not, decompression sickness due to evolved gas can occur and create a serious inflight emergency.
The recommended waiting time before flying is 24h after any scuba dive.
What are examples of the skills necessary for effective SRM (Single-Pilot Resource Management)?
SRM (includes the concepts of aeronautical decision making ADM, risk management RM, controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) awareness, and situational awareness SA)
Five P model to assess risk associated with each of the five factors
Plan - Wx, route, publications, ATC reroutes/delays, fuel
Plane - Mechanical status, backup systems
Pilot - Illness, medications, stress, alcohol, fatigue, eating
Passengers - pilots/non-pilots, nervous or quiet, experienced or new, business or pleasure
Programming - autopilot, GPS, MFD/PFD; anticipate likely reroutes/clearances
The DECIDE model:
D - detect a change needing attention
E - Estimate the need to counter or react to a change
C - Choose the most desirable outcome for the flight
I - Identify actions to successfully control the change
D - Do something to adapt to the change
E - Evaluate the effect of the action countering the change
Five hazardous attitudes:
Anti-authority - follow the rules, they are usually right
Impulsivity - think first, not so fast
Invulnerability - It could happen to me
Macho - Taking changes is foolish
Resignation - I can make a difference, I am not helpless
How can the use of PAVE checklist during flight planning?
Pilot in command - general health, physical/mental/emotional state, proficiency, currency
Aircraft - airworthiness, equipment, performance capability
EnVironment - Wx, terrain, airport/runways to be used, conditions
External Pressure - Meeting, People waiting at destination, desire to impress someone etc.
How should a pilot prioritize tasks?
Aviate, Navigate, Communicate
ICEFLAGS
Vestibular illusions
PHAK 17-7
Inversion - Abrupt change from climb to level flight stimulates otolith organs. May cause pilot push nose down.
Coriolis - Pilot has been in a turn long enough for fluid in ear to move at same speed, or pilot turns head. Disoriented pilot may maneuver into dangerous attitude. Could happen by dropping an object and picking it up from deck.
Elevator - An abrupt upward vertical acceleration, like updraft, illusion of climbing. Pilot may push down. Visa versa for downdraft.
False horizon - Clouds, obscured horizon, dark, ground lights on hill, stars. All can lead pilot to align with false horizon.
Leans - Most common, sudden return to level flight after prolonged unnoticed turn (2 degrees per second). Alternatively, a pilot may roll the aircraft into an incorrect attitude to neutralize the false sensation of bank. The leans disappear as soon as the pilot has a strong visual reference to the horizon or ground.
Autokinesis - Stationary light being starred at may look like its moving, pilot may align aircraft to perceived moving light causing loss of control of aircraft.
Graveyard spin/spiral - Prolonged coordinated constant rate turn feels like not turning. Also loss of altitude correction (not thinking you’re in a turn) pulling back on yoke will steepen the turn causing more loss of altitude and crash.
Somatogravic. - Rapid acceleration experienced during takeoff tilting head backwards. Pilot feels nose up tries to correct by nose down or dive attitude then crashes.
