Aeromedical Factors

Question 0

Spacial Dissorientation

Answer 0

Disorientation due to the influence of flight on the body’s sensory organs: Visual, vestibular (inner ear), postural ( skin, muscles and joints).

JFK jr. died due to spatial D in what is referred to as the graveyard spiral.

Say you are erroneously referencing a cloud deck as a level horizon.

A slight bank will cause a small loss of altitude which will cause the pilot to pull back on the yoke which can cause greater bank until you stall out.

Question 1

What regulations apply to medical certification?

Answer 1

Part 67- medical standards and certification

Question 2

What is hypoxia and describe the 4 types of hypoxia and causes

Answer 2

Hypoxia is the lack of oxygen in the body and reduces the function on organs. Symptoms include EUPHORIA, dizziness, tingling and impaired judgement. Combat by introducing oxygen(open vents/window), supplemental oxygen, descending

Hypoxic-altitude induced

Hypemic-restricts bloods ability to carry O2. Carbon monoxide poisoning(exhaust shroud or smoking)

Histotoxic-inability of body to use O2 (alcohol poisoning)

Stagnant-due to pooling and poor circulation of blood(cold and old, Gs)

Question 3

Motion sickness

Answer 3

Motion sickness occurs when when parts of the inner ear (labyrinth) that are in charge of balance, (think accelerometers, liquid in semi circular canals) sends conflicting info to nervous system.

Symptoms include salivating perspiration, nausea and vomiting. A pilot or pax can become completely incapacitated.

Combat by Ventaltion, loosen clothing, supplemental oxygen and fixation on a point in front on the horizon, land as soon as possible.

Question 4

Decompression sickness

Answer 4

The Bends

If you don’t allow body to “rid” itself of absorbed nitrogen after diving, as one goes up in altitude, nitrogen still left in blood from diving tries to escape turning into bubbles in your blood as your body tries to rid itself of the nitrogen. This can be debilitating causing aching and painful joints, rash, dizziness.

Non controlled ascent dive =12 hr wait up to 8,000 MSL

Controlled ascent dive or above 8000 MSL =24 hr wait before flight

Note: these are flight altitudes NOT cabin pressure altitudes. This accounts for possible rapid D

Question 5

Visual impairment

Answer 5

The rods are 100s of times more sensitive to light than your cones but it takes approx 15 min to adjust to the dark.

Visual illusions

Question 6

Ear block

Sinus block

Answer 6

As you climb in altitude, the pressure in your inner ear escape through the Eustachian tube (think flap) down the nasal passages.

As you descend, the outside pressure works against that flap and in order to equalize pressure you must be able to open flap (Eustachian tubes).

If you have sinus block however, there is no place for the air to escape to which worsens the situation.

Question 7

Talk about self medication

Answer 7

Do not use medication on any kind that can impair your ability to operate an aircraft or make decisions.

Question 8

What type of medical certificate is required and how long are they good for?

Answer 8

ATP =first class is 12 months after month of issue, over 40 is 6

Commercial pilot operations=second class, 12 calendar months after the month issued. Good for 60 calendar months after month issued if not performing commercial operations.

Question 9

Describe hyperventilation and how can it be combated?

Answer 9

increase in the volume of air breathed in and out

Decreases the amount of carbon dioxide in blood

Carbon dioxide regulates the breathing process

Stressful situations

Symptoms include lightheaded ness, drowsiness, tingling, unconsciousness

Anything that helps promote normal breathing such as talking to them, having them sing a song, and breath into a paper bag held over mouth and nose