flight physiology Flashcards
light orientation on a fixed wing
-red is to the left
-green is to the right
-white on the tail.
when the plane is facing away from you
what is the frequency of the Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT)
-new systems is 406 mHz
-old system is 121.5 mHz
atmospheric layers
-troposphere
-stratosphere
-mesosphere
-thermospere
troposphere
-Earths surface to 5-9 miles high
-altitude of aeromedical transport
-weather is an issue
stratosphere
troposphere to 31 miles high
mesosphere
stratosphere to 53 miles high
thermosphere
mesosphere to 372 miles high
atmosphere zones
-physiological
-physiologically deficient
-space equivalent
physiological zone
sea level to 10,000 ft
physiologically deficient zone
-extends from 10,000 ft to 50,000 ft
-requires supplemental O2 and pressure equipment
-fixed wing aircraft operate in this zone
space equivalent zone
-50,000 ft to 120 miles.
-sun radiation is a factor
-Armstrong’s line
what is another atmospheric pressure
is also know as barometric pressure
what is 1 TORR
it equals 760 mmhg
what is Dalton’s Law
the sum of all the partial pressures equal the total pressure.
what is Boyle’s Law
when the pressure increases the volume decreases and when the pressure decreases the volume increases.
think of a balloon.
what is Charles Law
As the temperature increases so does the volume. As the temperature decreases so does the volume.
think of a tire on a cold day.
Gay Lussac’s Law
-As altitude increases, the temp will decrease and so does the volume.
-as altitude decreases, the temp will increase and so does the volume.
what is Henry’s Law
Gas dissolved in to a liquid.
decompression sickness
what are flight stressors
hypoxia, noise, vibration, fatigue, G-force, barometric pressure, thermal changes, decreased humidity
What types of hypoxia are there
-hypoxic hypoxia
-hypemic hypoxia
-histotoxic hypoxia
-stagnant hypoxia
what is hypoxic hypoxia
decrease in alveolar O2 exchange.
due to Boyles law, as the elevation increases so does the molecules size. bigger molecules means less molecules per breath.
what is hypemic hypoxia
reduction in RBC’s in the blood so it doesn’t carry as much O2
what is histotoxic hypoxia
caused by poisoning or metabolic disorder
what is stagnant hypoxia
reduction of cardiac output or the pooling of blood
what are the 4 stages of hypoxia related to altitude.
-indifferent stage
-compensatory stage
-disturbance stage
-critical stage
indifferent stage of hypoxia
-experienced between sea level and 10,00 ft.
- O2 sat of 90-98%
Compensatory stage of hypoxia
-experienced between 10,000 ft and 15,000 ft
-O2 is at 80-89%
Disturbance stage of hypoxia
-experienced between 15,000 ft and 20,000 ft.
-O2 sat of 70-79%
-cognition impairment most critical
critical stage of hypoxia
-experienced above 20,000 ft
- O2 sat of 60-69%
-mental confusion followed by incapacitation, unconsciousness and death.
thermal change is defined as
-temp decreases 2C for every 1000 ft.
- temp decreases 1F for every 300 ft.
what is spatial disorientation
inability to determine ones position, altitude, and motion relative to the surface of the earth
what is flicker vertigo
vertigo that is caused by flickering lights.
what is time of useful consciousness
time between the interruption of O2 and the time a pilot is unable to perform flying duties effectively.
how to determine FiO2 on a patient during flight
(current barometric pressure x %FiO2)/ barometric pressure at altitude.
What is barodontalgia
-dental pain cause by barometric pressure changes
- affected most when you ascend during flight
What is VFR
Visual Flight Rules
what is VMC
Visual meteorological conditions
what is IFR
instrument flight rules
what is IMC
instrument meteorological conditions
what is flight following
checking in with flight control every 15 min while in the air
what are some pilot qualifications
-instrument rated
-2000 total flight hrs
-1200 flight hrs in a rotorcraft
-1000 PIC hrs in a rotorcraft
-100 hrs as night PIC
when should you have sterile cock pit
any critical phase of flight
what are the VFR minimum for the FAA
non mountainous
-day- 800’-2 miles
-night (NVG) 800’-3miles
Mountainous
-Day- 800’-3 miles
-night (NVG)- 1000’-3 miles
what do you do during inflight emergency
-lay patient flat
-secure patient straps
-turn off O2
-secure equipment
-secure self
-helmet visor down
-crash position
what is the ELT frequency
new- 406 MHz
old- 121.5 MHz
What is the sequence for shutting the helicopter down
1st- throttle
2nd- fuel
3rd- battery
what is the procedure for post crash
1st- secure shelter
2nd- find water
3rd- locate food
