Aeromedical Factors Flashcards
Who can you obtain an aviation medical certificate from?
Aviation Medical Examiner (AME)
Which regulation goes over the various privileges for different classes of medical certificates?
14 CFR 61.23
Which operations require a third class medical?
Recreational Pilot Certificate
Private Pilot Certificate
Flight Instructor Certificate
Student Pilot Certificate
What is the duration of a third class medical?
Under 40: Must be renewed the 60th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.
40 and older: Must be renewed the 24th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.
Which operations require a second class medical?
ATP for SIC privileges
Commercial Pilot Certificate
Air Traffic Control Tower Operator Certificate
What is the duration of a second class medical?
Must be renewed the 12th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.
Which operations require a first class medical?
ATP for PIC privileges
What is the duration of a first class medical?
Under 40: Must be renewed the 12th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.
40 or older: Must be renewed the 6th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.
If you have a first class medical and it expires, can you still use that medical certificate to operate a plane using your private pilot privileges?
Yes. A first class medical includes all of the operations that the lower classes have.
How can you find an AME in your area?
The easiest way is to use the FAA website AME locator. You can also call your regional Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) and locate one.
What is the general definition of Hypoxia?
Hypoxia means “reduced oxygen” or “lack of oxygen”. Any tissue will die if deprived of oxygen long enough. The greatest concern during flight is hypoxia to the brain.
Name off the different types of hypoxia.
Hypoxic Hypoxia
Hypemic Hypoxia
Stagnant Hypoxia
Histotoxic Hypoxia
What is hypoxic hypoxia?
It is the result of insufficient oxygen available to the body as a whole. A blocked airway is an obvious example.
What is an example of hypoxic hypoxia as it relates to aviation?
Flying at high altitudes without a pressurized cabin or supplemental oxygen can cause hypoxic hypoxia.
It occurs due to the reduction in partial pressure of oxygen molecules. There are fewer oxygen molecules available at the partial pressure required for them to pass between the membranes in the respiratory system, resulting in hypoxia.
What are the 14 CFR Part 91 regulations regarding supplemental oxygen altitude requirements?
Above 12,500’ MSL: If flying for more than 30 minutes, the crew members must wear and use supplemental oxygen.
Above 14,000’ MSL: The crew members must wear and use supplemental oxygen at all times.
Above 15,000’ MSL: The passengers must be offered supplemental oxygen.
What is Hypemic Hypoxia?
Occurs when the blood is not able to take up and transport a sufficient amount of oxygen to the cells in the body. Hypemic means “not enough blood”. It results from an oxygen deficiency in the blood, rather than a lack of inhaled oxygen.
What are some examples of hypemic hypoxia?
Lack of blood (severe bleeding)
Blood disease (anemia)
CO poisoning
Loss of blood due to blood donation
What is stagnant hypoxia?
Results when oxygen rich blood in the lungs is not moving to the tissues that need it. Stagnant means “not flowing”.
What is an example of stagnant hypoxia as related to flying?
Pulling excessive G’s during flight.
What is Histotoxic Hypoxia?
The inability of cells to effectively use oxygen. “Histo” refers to tissues or cells and “toxic” refers to poisonous. Oxygen is being transported to the cells that need it, but they are unable to make use of it.
What can cause histotoxic hypoxia?
Alcohol and drugs, such as narcotics. These things impair cellular respiration. Drinking 1 oz of alcohol can equate to an additional 2,000’ of physiological altitude.
What is typically the first symptom of hypoxia?
It is usually euphoria and a carefree feeling.
What can occur to your field of vision if hypoxia is present?
Your field of vision can start to narrow and make instrument interpretation harder. This is because your eyes use oxygen to function properly.
What are the treatments for hypoxia?
Flying at lower altitudes.
Having a pressurized cabin.
Using supplemental oxygen.
What is hyperventilation?
Hyperventilation is the excessive rate and depth of respiration leading to abnormal loss of carbon dioxide from the blood. Basic definition: “over-breathing”.
Why can hyperventilation lead to unconsciousness?
Hyperventilation can lead to unconsciousness due to the respiratory system’s overriding mechanism to regain control of breathing.
What are causes of hyperventilation?
Pilots encountering stressful situations may subconsciously increase their breathing rate.
Flying at higher altitudes may cause the pilot to increase breathing rate.