Aeromedical Factors

Question 1

What are the 7 types of Spatial Disorientations
“ICEFLAGS”

Answer 1

I - Inversion
C - Coriolis
E - Elevator

F - False Horizon
L - Leans
A - Autokinesis
G - Graveyard Spiral/Spin
S - Somatogravic

Question 2

Inversion

Answer 2

feels like you’re tumbling backwards from pitching down too quickly

Question 3

Coriolis

Answer 3

picking up your pen during a steep turn, making you disorientated and feeling out of balance

Question 4

Elevator

Answer 4

updrafts “feels” like you need to pitch forward
downdrafts “feels” like you need to pitch up

Question 5

False Horizon

Answer 5

clouds or city lights giving you a false horizon

Question 6

Leans

Answer 6

“feels” like you’re straight n level but you’re turning

Question 7

Autokinesis

Answer 7

dark room “white flash” and you still see that light moving, same with flying you see that light out in the distance and all of a sudden you use it as a reference which could be dangerous

Question 8

Graveyard Spiral/Spin

Answer 8

Spiral: airspeed is fast, feels like you’re straight & level but you’re actually spiraling downwards
Spin: stalled condition, airspeed is slow, you think you’re descending, causing you to pull back

Question 9

Somatogravic

Answer 9

rapid forward acceleration, making you feel like you’re pitching up, so you pitch down which is wrong

Question 10

Explain how the vestibular affects spatial disorientation

Answer 10

Cupula “hairs” in your semicircular canals. You have 3 in each ear, filled with fluid. One sense pitch, another senses roll, and the last sense yaw. Whenever you’re body is positioned differently, the hair follows and also has an opposite reaction depending how fast you move.

Question 11

Basic Med limitations

Answer 11

1) not more than 6 occupants
2) not more than 6,000 lbs
3) VFR or IFR less than 18,000’ MSL
4) less than 250 kts
5) not for compensation or hire

Question 12

When does Basic Med expire?

Answer 12

4 years on the same day you had your last physical

Question 13

How to renew Basic Med?

Answer 13

1) CME (comprehensive medical exam) by state licensed physician every 4 years
2) Online medical course every 24 calendar months

Question 14

Oxygen Requirements

Answer 14

1) 12,500 - 14,000’ MSL for longer than 30 minutes crew must use oxygen
2) 14,001’+ entire time crew must use oxygen
3) 15,000’ and above provide it to your passengers

Question 15

Oxygen night time?

Answer 15

above 6,000’ MSL recommended

Question 16

4 Types of Hypoxia (HHHS)

Answer 16

1) Hypoxic - lack of oxygen absorbed by the body due to atmospheric conditions. As altitude increases, oxygen remains the same, however pressure decreases. The reduced in pressure becomes insufficient for the oxygen molecules to pass through the respiratory system’s membranes.

2) Hypemic - inability of the blood to carry oxygen. (May be caused from donating blood or CO poisioning)

3) Histotoxic - inability of body cells to use oxygen. (alcohol or drugs).

4) Stagnant - Oxygen deficiency in the body due to poor circulation of the blood

Question 17

Hypoxic

Answer 17

lack of oxygen absorbed by the body due to atmospheric conditions

Question 18

Hypemic

Answer 18

inability of the blood to carry oxygen.

• smokers are more prone to this
• also if you gave blood that day

Question 19

Stagnant

Answer 19

Oxygen deficiency in the body due to poor circulation of the blood

Question 20

Histotoxic

Answer 20

inability of the body to use oxygen caused by drugs or alcohol

Question 21

Hyperventilation

Answer 21

Rapid breathing and panic
solution: take deep breaths, breathe in brown paper bag, & talking out loud

Question 22

Decompression “scuba”

Answer 22

aka the bends, do not fly after going scuba diving.
gasses and bubbles in your body tissues causing extreme pain and impairment

Question 23

3 components of oxygen systems

Answer 23

1) Storage
2) Delivery
3) Masks or Cannula

Question 24

Explain the oxygen storage systems (compressed, liquid, candle)

Answer 24

1) Compressed: gas only aviatior’s grade. most economical but heavy storage tanks

2) Liquid: economical but volatile with handling care

3) Candle: sodium chlorate when heated to 350°F, releases oxygen. Fire hazard

Question 25

Explain the delivery systems (continuous flow, diluter demand, pressure demand)

Answer 25

1) Continuous flow: 28,000ft and LOWER; cannulas, dixie cups (airlines)

2) Diluter demand: 40,000ft and LOWER; quick oxygen during inhale stops during exhale

3) Pressure demand: 40,000ft and ABOVE military aviation; pressurizes lungs to lower altitude

Question 26

Explain the 4 masks or cannula

Answer 26

1) Nasal Cannulas: restricted to 18,000’ b/c risks of reducing blood saturation levels from beathing through the mouth or talking

2) Oral Nasal Rebreather: up to 25,000’ . Bag exhale mixed w/ 100% oxygen

3) Quick Don Mask: 40,000’ mask at your side, using one hand and 5 seconds or less.

4) Dixie Cup:up to 40,000’ continuous flow oxygen from containers