Aeromedical Factors

Question 1

What are some types of in-flight illusions?

Answer 1

Vestibular Illusions

• The Leans
• Vertigo
• Graveyard Spiral
• Somatogravic Illusion

Visual Illusions

• False Horizon
• Sloping Runway
• Runway Width
• Black Hole

Question 2

What is a Somatogravic Illusion?

Answer 2

Rapid acceleration makes you feel you are pitching up. Deceleration causes the opposite. Caused by otoliths experiencing intertia that is interpreted as head movement.

Question 3

How do you get into a graveyard spiral?

Answer 3

If you get the Leans, you end up in a bank when you think you are level.You start losing altitude in the unexpected bank which you fix by pitching up which tightens the turn,

VMC into IFR.

Question 4

What causes the Leans?

Answer 4

If you bank slowly or stay in a prolonged constant rate turn, you might not have a sense of turning. This is because the fluid in the semicircular canal did not move or stopped moving. If you stop the turn, you can feel like you are turning the opposite way. To correct for that, you bank in the original direction.

VFR into IMC

Question 5

What causes Vertigo?

Answer 5

An abrupt head movement during a prolonged turn causes the semicircular canals to send confusing signals to the brain.

Question 6

What is a False Horizon Illusion?

Answer 6

The clouds and terrain don’t present a clear horizon so the pilot finds himself imagining one that is not correct and flying level to it.

Question 7

What is a runway width illusion?

Answer 7

Narrow runway = seems too high, fly too low

Wide runway = seems too low, fly too high

Question 8

What is a runway slope illusion?

Answer 8

upsloping runway = seems too high, fly too low

downsloping runway = seems too low, fly too high

Question 9

What is a Black hole illusion

Answer 9

Lack of terrain features makes you think you are higher than you are, luring you to descend.

Question 10

How long is a 1st class medical good for ATP privileges if it is issued before the pilot’s 40th birthday?

Answer 10

12 months

Question 11

How long is a 1st class medical good for ATP privileges if it is issued after the pilot’s 40th birthday?

Answer 11

6 months

Question 12

How long is a 2nd class medical good for Commercial privileges if it is issued before the pilot’s 40th birthday?

Answer 12

12 months

Question 13

How long is a 2nd class medical good for Commercial privileges if it is issued after the pilot’s 40th birthday?

Answer 13

12 months

Question 14

How long is a 3rd class medical good for if it is issued before the pilot’s 40th birthday?

Answer 14

5 years

Question 15

How long is a 3rd class medical good for if it is issued after the pilot’s 40th birthday?

Answer 15

24 months

Question 16

How long is a 2nd class medical good for Private privileges if it is issued after the pilot’s 40th birthday?

Answer 16

12 additional months after the Commercial privileges expire

Question 17

What type of medical does a flight instructor require?

Answer 17

Only a 3rd class or Basic Med and only if the instructor acts as PIC.

Question 18

Who can use Basic Med?

Answer 18

Student, recreational and private pilots, flight instructors or persons taking a practical or proficiency test.

Question 19

How often must a pilot have a medical exam to renew Basic Med?

Answer 19

Every 4 years

Question 20

How often must a pilot using Basic Med retake the medical certification course?

Answer 20

Every 2 years.

Question 21

What must a pilot have in his possession when flying under Basic Med?

Answer 21

A valid U.S. Driver’s License

A medical examination checklist completed by his doctor within the last 4 years,

A medical certification course competion certificate from the last 2 years.

Question 22

What are some of the key limitations for operating under Basic Med?

Answer 22

Carry no more than 5 passengers

Fly below 18000 ft and less than 250 kts

U.S. and Bahamas only

Aircraft with maximum certificated weight not more than 6000 lbs

Act as PIC - not any other required crew member including safety pilot

Question 23

What are some of the key requirements to qualify for Basic Med?

Answer 23

Have held a medical certificate at any time since July 14, 2006

Have not had the most recent medical certificate revoked suspended or withdrawn

Have not had the most recent medical certificate application denied

Question 24

What are the various types of hypoxia and their causes?

Answer 24

Hypoxic Hypoxia - insufficient oxygen available to the lungs, caused by low partial pressure of oxygen at altitude.

Histotoxic Hypoxia - body cells not able to use oxygen delivered by blood, caused by alcohol or drug use.

Stagnant Hypoxia - oxygen-rich blood is not flowing to the body tissues that need it. caused by g-forces or extreme cold.

Hypemic Hypoxia - blood not able to carry oxygen. Carbon monoxide poisoning.

Question 25

What are common symptoms of hypoxia?

Answer 25

Increases rate of breathing

Headache

Light-headed or dizzy

Tingling fingers and toes

Impaired judgement, coordination and speach

Drowsiness

Euphoria

Question 26

What are common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

Answer 26

Headache

Blurred vision

Dizziness

Drowsiness

Confusion

Question 27

What are common symptoms of hyperventilation?

Answer 27

Uncontrolled rapid breathing

dizziness and light-headedness

Visual impairment

Question 28

What are some common symptoms of motion sickness?

Answer 28

Loss of apetite

Sweating

Salivating

Headaches

Nausea and Vomiting

Question 29

What are common symptoms of dehydration?

Answer 29

Fatigue

Thirst

Headache

Abdominal Cramps

Dizziness

Question 30

How much of a fluid deficit do you typically have when you start to experience thirst?

Answer 30

1.5 quarts

Question 31

What are common symptoms of heatstroke?

Answer 31

Feeling hot, often without sweating

Loss of physical and mental abilities

Muscle weakness or cramps

Nausea and Vomitiing