Fitness To Fly Flashcards
Define: Fitness to Fly
Being able to cope with the physical and mental demands of flying an aircraft - a healthy mind and body
What are the responsibilities of pilots towards medical fitness for flight?
- Legal obligation to report any change in medical condition
- Medical condition = stop flying, report change to the Director
- Under the Act - you only need to suspect a medical condition. Consult AME if in doubt
What are the symptoms and circumstances that would lead you to consult your AME prior to further flight?
- Heart/coronary risk - chest pain, sometimes extending down the neck and left shoulder and arm
- High blood pressure - increased strain on heart, accelerates the hardening of arteries and increased possibility of a stroke
- Obesity - hypertension, diabetes and gout also arthritic problems
- Smoking - increases rick of heart disease and high blood pressure
- Fits/faints or seizures - increased chance of epilepsy
- Continuous headaches - including post traumatic headaches
- Migraines - nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light or noise, loss of speech, confusion, flashing lights, temporary paralysis.
What does IMSAFE refer to?
Illness
Medication
Stress
Alcohol or drugs
Fatigue
Eating
What are the problems associated with pregnancy and flying?
- Possibility of miscarriage
- Nausea, vomiting, fatigue
- Pregnancy must be reported to the CAA as soon as its known
When must a pregnant pilot stop flying?
- Class 1 and 2 medical certificate holders may not fly until reaching the end of 12 weeks pregnancy
- Class 1 privileges are suspended at 28 weeks
- Class 2 privileges allowed until 32 weeks with a safety pilot
What effects does arterial disease have on pilot performance and methods by which they may be minimised/managed?
- Blood through the coronary arteries becomes partially or totally blocked - condition apparent when heart’s workload is increased by physical or emotional exertion or stress
- Sudden blockage can result in cardiac arrest or myocardial infarction (a part of the heart dies)
What are other contributors to arterial disease?
- Family history and being over the age of 40
- Male
- Smoking
- High blood pressure or cholesterol
- Lack of excercise
- Diabetes
- Stress
- Obesity
- Alcohol and diet
What effects does blood pressure have on pilot performance and methods by which they may be minimised/managed?
Blood pressure = force the blood exerts against the inside walls of the blood vessels
- Varies with age, from person to person
- Hypertension increases workload of heart, weakens blood vessel walls and accelerates hardening of the arteries
- Increase physical fitness
- ALter diet
- Reduce coffee and alcohol intake
- Reduce stress levels
- Reduce weight
What effects does diet have on pilot performance and methods by which they may be minimised/managed?
Healthy diet = various foods in moderation
What effects does exercise have on pilot performance and methods by which they may be minimised/managed?
- Beneficial to general health
- Must be regular
- Doubling pulse for 20 minutes at least 3 times a week
- Aerobic activities
What effects does obesity have on pilot performance and methods by which they may be minimised/managed?
- Leads to hypertension, diabetes, gout and ultimately heart disease
- Additional load on joints can also lead to arthritic problems
- Manage weight = healthy eating and exercise
What effects does smoking have on pilot performance and methods by which they may be minimised/managed?
- Smoking = heart disease - increased chance of heart attack and high blood pressure
QUIT
What effects does respiratory tract infection/allergies have on pilot performance and methods by which they may be minimised/managed?
- Cold - feeling lethargic, difficulty concentrating and making decisions. Blockage of sinuses and Eustachian tubes leads to difficulty with pressure changes
- Flu - similar symptoms to the cold but usually more severe with body aches, ouch’s and sore throat. Symptoms last longer than a cold
- Hay fever - contests nose or sinuses
- Asthma - discussed with AME
What effects does food poisoning and gastroenteritis have on pilot performance and methods by which they may be minimised/managed?
- Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting. Stomach cramps and fever
- Increase liquid intake
What effects does neurological factors have on pilot performance and methods by which they may be minimised/managed?
- Seizure/fits and epilepsy - all cases consciousness is lost therefore = no pilot
- Presence of epilepsy can be detected through EEG (electroencephalogram)
- Fainting (syncope) = loss of consciousness, fine in isolated incidents
- Headaches - associated with illness or stress
- Migraines - repeated and severe headaches, restricts pilot’s fitness to fly
- Head traumas - observations are required over varying periods of time to allow the CAA to consider granting a medical certificate
What effects does emotional factors (including depression and anxiety) have on pilot performance and methods by which they may be minimised/managed?
- Depression = persistent depressed mood or lack of interest over a period of weeks
Symptoms: difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite or weight, feeling worthless, suicidal thoughts and memory impairment. - Anxiety - may be experienced after an accident
What effects does psychiatric diseases have on pilot performance and methods by which they may be minimised/managed?
- Psychosis - loss of contact with reality = permanent denial of license
- Neurosis - anxiety, depression, phobia, obsession - can be treated and controlled.
- Flying is prohibited while undergoing treatment but after recovery may regain license
What effects does physical injuries have on pilot performance and methods by which they may be minimised/managed?
- A full history of physical injuries must be disclosed to the AME.
What effects does dehydration have on pilot performance and methods by which they may be minimised/managed?
- Symptoms: Sore eyes, coughing, dry nose and throat, possible nose bleed.
- Aircraft at high altitudes pressurise the cabin and control humidity, but this is lower than normal increasing the risk of dehydration
- Dehydration can be prevented by keeping up regular intakes of water
What effects does hypoglycaemia have on pilot performance and methods by which they may be minimised/managed?
= low blood sugar symptoms, can be a feeling of hunger, sweating, shakiness and weakness.
- Eat various snacks throughout the day
- Protein helps stabilise blood sugar as well as fruits and carbohydrates
- Avoid simple sugars that give temporary blood sugar highs
What are the symptoms of gastrointestinal problems?
- Nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, diarrhoea
- Severity may differ, might experience fever, chills, bloody stools, dehydration and nervous system damage
- Lasts 24-48hrs
What are the primary causes of food poisoning?
- Infectious agents - viruses, bacteria, parasites (contaminated food due to poor sanitation or preparation)
- Toxic agents - poisonous mushrooms, pesticides, improperly prepared exotic food
