Exam 2 Flashcards
What senses does the brain use to determine orientation?
- Vision (90%)
- Proprioception (Body Sense of motion)
- Vestibular Senses (Linear/Angular Acceleration)
What organs does the Vestibular System use to determine our position and motion?
- Otoliths - detect LINEAR acceleration
2. Semicircular Canals - detect ANGULAR (rotation) acceleration
What is one common example of how the forces of flight can cause the vestibular system to provide misleading info about orientation
- When the liquid in the ears and the body are moving the same speed, and motion is no longer detected (takes about 20 seconds to equilibrate)
Describe the mechanism for the undetected motion illusion
- Any angular acceleration that is less than 3 degrees per second
- Not detected w/o visual reference
Describe the strengths and challenges related to central (foveal) vision
- Fovea, high concentration of receptors (CONES)
- Acuity and Color (can influence depth preception)
- Rapid focus capability, but sharp focus requires delays
Describe the proper scanning technique to avoid relative motion and night vision blind spots
- Off center scan due to a central blind spot
What are the mechanics of Autokinesis?
- When the eye moves to try and get a better perception of a light, and it appears to be moving when really its just your eye
What is a common illusion seen with sloping cloud decks, ground reference lights, and distant cues?
False Horizons
Gravic refers to:
A linear/straight line motion
Gyric refers to:
A turning motion
Describe the strengths and challenges related to PERIPHERAL vision
- Rods
- Best for NIGHT vision
- Orientation
- Field Flow (Your velocity/speed)
- Motion of objects in your field of vision
What sense is responsible for giving you the feeling of sinking back into your seat during an acceleration?
Proprioception (body sense)
Vestibulo refers to:
The vestibular system (Otoliths and SCCs)
Oculo/Ocular refers to:
The Eyes
Somato refers to:
The body
What is the leading cause of CFIT accidents?
Spatial disorientation!!!
What accounts for 70% of approach/landing accidents?
Low visibility and precipitation
What are the FUNCTIONS of the vestibular system?
- Maintain orientation
- Assist with balance/movement
- Coordinate eye movement (Vestibulo-ocular reflex)
What kind of motion do the Otoliths detect?
- Linear acceleration (forward and vertical acceleration)
What kind of motion do the Semicircular Canals detect?
- Rotation (constant speed turns, spins)
Where is your blind spot at night?
Central to both eyes
What does an effective scanning technique involve?
- Focus in blocks, stopping for 1-2 seconds
- 60 degrees L/R
- 10 degrees up/down
Why do most mid-air collisions occur between a/c flying in the SAME (parallel) direction?
- Due to the lack of relative motion (movement of 1 object in relation to another moving object)
What types of monocular cues do humans use to aid in depth and distance perception?
- Occlusion/Overlay
- Size Reference/Constancy
- Air clarity/Haze
- Contrast/Texture of surface