Human Performance & Limitations - Medical & Lifestyle Considerations

Question 1

True or False? - The RA-Aus medical standard for recreational pilots require applicants to make a preflight assessment of their own fitness and to be to hold a valid vehicle driver’s licence?

Answer 1

True

Question 2

True or False? - A requirement for a recreational pilot licence to remain valid is that the holder must continue to meet the health standard for a vehicle driver’s licence and to sign a medical declaration to that effect each year?

Answer 2

True

Question 3

What undesirable (and potentially dangerous) condition may consuming too many carbonated drinks before flight cause?

Answer 3

Indigestion

Question 4

Why should fatty and other gas-forming foods such as cabbage and baked beans be avoided prior to flight?

Answer 4

May cause indigestion

Question 5

True or False? - A pilot suffering from dehydration may progressively lose the ability to safely operate an aircraft in flight?

Answer 5

True

Question 6

What is the most common cause of sudden pilot incapacitation?

Answer 6

Food poisoning

Question 7

Is a pilot who smokes cigarrettes (or any other tobacco product) more or less likely to experience hypoxia symptoms below 5000ft compared to a pilot who doesn’t smoke?

Answer 7

More likely

Question 8

True or False? - The oxygen-depriving effects of carbon monoxide from smoking reduces the sensitivity of the eyes, particularly at night or under poor visibility conditions?

Answer 8

True

Question 9

How many hours does CASA recommend lapse ‘on-th-ground’ after giving blood before operating an aircraft?

Answer 9

24 hours

Question 10

Name 3 adverse effects of alcohol performance

Answer 10

Reduced concentration

Increased reaction times

Increase in risk-taking behaviour / loss of inhibitions

Reduced fine and gross motor control / coordination

Poor judgement

Poor attention to detail

Question 11

Can diet and nutritional intake have an impact on pilot performance?

Answer 11

Yes

Question 12

How long does it take the average healthy person to to eliminate the equivalent of 8 large glasses (425ml) of alcohol (mid-strength beer) from their system?

Answer 12

8 hours

Question 13

It is a legal requirement for pilots to not fly until 8 hours have elapsed since their last alcoholic beverage. If you have consumed ten or more 150ml glasses of wine, why should you leave a longer period until your last alcoholic drink and operating an aircraft?

Answer 13

Because it would take at least 10 hours for the average healthy person to metabolise and eliminate that amount of alcohol

Question 14

List 4 major risk factors for coronary heart disease that can me changed or controlled?

Answer 14

Smoking (cessation)

Obesity (weight loss)

Physical inactivity (exercise)

High blood pressure

high cholesterol

diabetes

Question 15

What adverse effect may the use of medications such as antihistamines, tranquilisers and sedatives have?

Answer 15

Drowsiness

Question 16

What are the requirements for pilots in the CASA drug testing program?

Answer 16

Less than 0.02% BAC and 8 hours since last alcoholic beverage

Question 17

What is the clinical term for a lower than normal blood glucose level?

Answer 17

Hypoglycaemia

Question 18

What is the clinical term for an abnormal increase in rate and depth of breathing?

Answer 18

Hyperventiliation

Question 19

During hyperventilation, is it too much ‘oxygen’ or ‘carbon dioxide’ flushed from the lungs causing a chemical imbalance in the blood?

Answer 19

Carbon dioxide

Question 20

How can hyperventilation be remedied?

Answer 20

Consciously reverting to normal rate and depth of breathing, or

Normal conversation or singing, or

Breathing into a paper bag

Supplemental oxygen therapy (where available and practicable)

Question 21

What is the term used to describe for the type of pilot incapacitation which may not be immediately evident to another person until an expected action is NOT taken?

Answer 21

Subtle incapacitation

Question 22

True or False? - Gastro-intestinal problems are the most common cause of sudden pilot incapacitation?

Answer 22

True

Question 23

Tingling sensations in the skin, dizziness, an increased pulse rate, and a dull headache are all symptoms of hypoxia. What other condition has similar effects?

Answer 23

Hyperventilation

Question 24

Headaches, giddiness and disorientation are possible (disabling) symptoms associated with what type of common OTC medication?

Answer 24

Antihistamines

Question 25

Name 4 illnesses that require a recreational pilot certificate holder to obtain a statement from their GP confirming that their health meets the standard required to meet the privileges of the certificate?

Answer 25

Epilepsy

Diabetes

Heart Disease

Paralysis

Mental Illness