Human Factors Flashcards
What is hypoxia
Hypoxia is a state of oxygen deficiency in the body sufficient to impair functions of the brain and other organs
Where does hypoxia usually occur, and what symptoms should one expect
Although a deterioration in night vision occurs at a cabin pressure altitude as low as 5,000’ feet, other significant effects of altitude hypoxia usually do not occur in the normal healthy pilot below 12,000’ feet. From 12-15,000’ of altitude, judgement, memory, alertness, coordination, and ability to make calculations are impaired, and headache, drowsiness, dizziness and either a sense of well-being or belligerence occur. Effects are worse above 15,000’
What factors can make a pilot more susceptible to hypoxia
The altitude at which significant effects of hypoxia occur can be lowered by a number of factors. Carbon monoxide inhaled in smoking or from exhaust fumes, lowered hemoglobin (anemia), and certain medications can reduce the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Small amounts of alcohol and low doses of certain drugs, such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives, and analgesics can, through their depressant action, render the brain much more susceptible to hypoxia. Extreme heat and cold, fever, and anxiety increase the body’s demand for oxygen, and hence its susceptibility ot hypoxia
How can hypoxia be avoided
Hypoxia is prevented by heeding factors that reduce tolerance to altitude, by enriching the inspired air with oxygen from an appropriate oxygen system, and by maintaining a comfortable, safe cabin pressure altitude. For optimum protection, pilots are encouraged to use supplemental oxygen above 10,000’ during the day and 5,000 at night
What is hyperventilation
Hyperventilation, or an abnormal 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. Carbon dioxide is needed to automatically regulate the breathing process
What symptoms can a pilot expect from hyperventilation
As hyperventilation blows off excessive carbon dioxide from the body, a pilot can experience symptoms of light-headedness, suffocation, drowsiness, tingling in the extremities, and coolness, and react to them with even greater hyperventilation. Incapacitation can eventually result from uncoordination, disorientation, and painful muscle spasms. Finally unconsciousness can occur
How can hyperventilating condition be reversed
The symptoms of hyperventilation subside within a few minutes after the rate and depth of breathing are consciously brought back to normal. The build up of carbon dioxide in the body can be hastened by controlled breathing in and out of a paper bag held over the nose and mouth
What is carbon monoxide poisoning
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas contained in exhaust fumes. When inhaled, even in minute quantities over a period of time, it can significantly reduce the ability of the blood to carry oxygen. Consequently, effects of hypoxia occur
How does carbon monoxide poisoning occur, and what symptoms should a pilot be alert for
Most heaters in light aircraft work by air flowing over the manifold. The use of these heaters while exhaust fumes are escaping through manifold cracks and seals is responsible every year for several nonfatal and fatal aircraft accidents from carbon monoxide poisoning. A pilot who detect the odor of exhaust or experiences symptoms of headache, drowsiness, or dizziness while using the heater should suspect carbon monoxide poisoning
What actions should be taken if a pilot suspects carbon monoxide posioning
A pilot who suspects this condition to exist should immediately shut off the heater and open all air vents. If symptoms are severe, or continue after landing, medical treatment should be sought
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. The pilot may become incapacitated if it becomes sever enough
What action should be taken if a pilot of his passenger suffer from motion sickness
If suffering from airsickness while piloting an aircraft, open up the air vents, loosen the clothing, use supplemental oxygen, and keep the eyes on a point outside the airplane. Avoid unnecessary head movement. Terminate the flight and land as soon as possible
What is ear block
As the aircraft cabin pressure decreases during ascent, the expanding air in the middle ear pushes the Eustachian tube open. The air then escapes down to the nasal passages and equalizes in pressure with the cabin pressure. But during descent, the pilot must periodically open the Eustachian tube to equalize pressure. 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. Consequently, 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
What action can be taken to prevent ear block from ocurring
Normally this can be accomplished by swallowing, yawning, tensing muscles in the throat or, if these do not work, by the combination of closing the mouth, pinching the nose closed and attempting to blow through the nostrils (Valsalva maneuver). It is also prevented by not flying with an upper respiratory infection or nasal allergic condition
What regulations apply and what common sense should prevail concerning the use of alcohol
The regulations prohibit pilots form performing crewmember duties within 8 hours after drinking any alcoholic beverage, while under the influence of alcohol, or having .04 percent weight or more alcohol in the blood. Due to the slow destruction of alcohol in the bloodstream, a pilot may still be under influence, or over the .04 percent mark, 8h after drinking a moderate amount of alcohol. Therefore, an excellent rule is to allow at least 12 to 24 hours from bottle to throttle, depending on the amount of alcoholic beverage consumed
For a pilot who has been taking an OTC cold medication, how do the various environmental factors the pilot is exposed to inflight affect the drugs physiological impact on the pilot
Drugs that cause no apparent side effects on the ground can create serious problems at relatively low altitudes, Even at typical general aviation altitudes, the changes in concentration of atmospheric gases in the blood can enhance the effects of seemingly innocuous drugs and result in impaired judgment, decision-making, and performance
What regulations apply and what common sense should prevail concerning the use of drugs and medications
Pilot performance can be seriously degraded by both Prx and OTC medications, as well as by the medical conditions for which they are taken. The regulations prohibit pilots from performing crewmember duties while using any medication that affects the faculties in any way contrary to safety. The safest rule is not to fly as a crewmember while taking any medication, unless approved to do so by the FAA
Discuss the effects of nitrogen excesses during scuba diving upon a pilot or passenger in flight
A pilot or Pax who intends to fly after scuba diving 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 during exposure to low altitude and create a serious inflight emergency. The recommended waiting time before flight are as follows
UP to 8,000’
12h post dive that did not require a controlled ascent
24h post dive that required a controlled ascent
Above 8,000’
24h after any scuba dive
Alt. is actual flight alt above MSL not cabing alt. This takes into account the risk of decompression of the A/C during flight
You recently experience a bad cold and were treated by your personal physician. You continue to take the medications your physician prescribed, but feel much better. Can you resume flying on your current medical or must you first see an FAA AME
Anytime you experience an illness or an injury that you feel may affect your ability to safely fly an aircraft, you must self-ground yourself until you feel better 61.53 requires that all pilots voluntarily self-ground anytime
They know or have reason to know of any medical condition that would make them unable to meet the requirements for the medical certificate necessary for the pilot operation
They are taking medication or receiving other treatment for a medical condition that results in them being unable to meet the requirements for the medical certificate necessary for the pilot operations
If in doubt consult your AME
Can you operate an aircraft while taking an OTC medication for an on-going condition
Self-medication or taking medication in any form while you are flying can be extremely hazardous. Even simple home or OTC remedies such as aspiring, laxatives, tranquilizers and appetite suppressors may seriously impair the judgment and coordination needed while flying. The safest rule it to take no medicine while flying, except with the advice of your AME
Define the term single-pilot resource management SRM
SRM is the art and science of managing all the resources available to a single pilot to ensure that the successful outcome of the flight is never in doubt. SRM helps pilots learn to execute methods of gathering information, analyzing it, and making decisions
What are examples of the skills necessary for effective SRM
SRM includes the concepts of aeronautical decision making ADM, risk management RM, controlled flight into terrain CFIT awareness, and situational awareness SA
What practical application provides a pilot with an effective method to practice SRM
The Five P checklist consists of the Plan, Plane, PIlot, Passenger and Programming. it is based on the idea that the pilot has essentially five variables that impact his or her environment and that can cause the pilot to make a single critical decision or several less critical decisions, t that when added together can create a critical outcome
Explain the use of the Five P model to assess risk associated with each of the five factors
used at each key decision point
Plan - Wx, route, publications, ATC reroutes/delays, fule, onboarding/remaining
Plane - Mechanical status, automation status, database currency, 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; questions to ask - What is it doing? Why is it doing it? Did I do it?
When is the use of the 5P checklist recommended
The 5P concept relies on the pilot to adopt a scheduled review of the critical variables at point in the flight where decisions are most likely to be effective. These key decision point included preflight, pre-takeoff, hourly or at the midpoint of hte flight, pre-descent, and just prior to the final approach fix (or, for VFR operations, just prior to entering the traffic pattern). They also should be used anytime an ER situation arises
Define the term aeronautical decision making
ADM is a systematic approach to the mental process used by aircraft pilots to consistently determine the best course of action in response to a given set of circumstances
