Ch. 8: Human Factors Flashcards
Hypoxia
State of O2 deficiency in the body sufficient to impair functions of brain and organs
Where does hypoxia normally occur?
Can be as low as 5,000’
Normally doesn’t occur to healthy pilot below 12,000’
How to avoid Hypoxia
Enrich air with oxygen
Use oxygen above 10,000’
Hypoxia symptoms
Poor judgement, memory, alertness, visual acuity and coordination.
Sensation of euphoria or sometimes even belligerence can occur (a macho attitude).
Other symptoms include, dizziness, headache, drowsiness and cyanosis
Hperventalation
Abnormal increase in the breathing rate that leads to a deficiency of carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide is needed to regulate breathing process
Hyperventilation Symptoms
Lightheadedness, dizziness, drowsiness, tingling in the extremities and feeling of suffocation
May lead to unconsciousness
How to reverse hyperventalation
Controlled breathing
May use paper bag to help
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Colorless, odorless gas from exhaust fumes. If experienced, turn of heater and vent cockpit
CO Poisoning Symptoms
Headache, dizziness, drowsiness while using heater
Motion Sickness
Continued stimulation of inner ear, which controls balance
Motion sickness symptoms
Loss of appetite, saliva collecting in mouth, perspiration, nausea, disorientation, headaches, and vomiting
Motion Sickness Rx
Loosen clothes, open vents, use O2, keeps eyes on point outside AC, and terminate flight
“Ear Block”
Eustachian tube will not open to equalize pressure in inner ear
Due to congestion from illness or allergic reaction
Prevention of ear block in flight
Swallowing, yawning, tensing muscles in throat, or close mouth, pinch nose and blow.
Decompression sickness
Occurs after scuba diving when insufficient time is taken before flight to allow nitrogen to leave body
Up to 8,000’: Wait at least 12 hours for dives not requiring controlled ascent. At least 24 hours for dives that require controlled ascent
Above 8,000’: Wait at least 24 hours after any dive
What are the in-flight illusions?
I nversion C oriolis E levator F alse Horizon L eans A utokinesis G raveyard Spiral S omatograpvic
Inversion Illusion
Abrupt change in altitude creates the illusion of tumbling backwards
Coriolis Illusion
Rapid head movement causes the illusion of accelerating or turning
Elevator Illusion
An updraft causes the pilot to think that aircraft is in a climb. Pilot reacts by forcing the nose down inducing a dive.
False Horizon Illusion
Sloping cloud formations or obscured horizons confuse the pilot into misaligning with the horizon.
Lean Illusion
Abrupt recovery from a roll can mislead pilot into thinking aircraft is in a turn in the opposite direction
Autokinesis Illusion
At night, stationary lights may appear to be in motion. Pilot may lose control of aircraft trying to align it with “moving” light.
Graveyard Spiral Illusion
In a prolonged constant rate turn, sensation of the turn is not felt. In recovery to straight and level, the pilot may sense a turn in the opposite direction and pull back on the yoke, only tightening the spiral.
Somatogravic Illusion
Rapid acceleration causes the illusion of the being in a nose up attitude. Rapid deceleration will have the opposite effect.