Human Factor

Question 1

Corrective action for Hypoxia

Answer 1

To remedy some affects of hypoxia, the pilot should fly at lower altitudes and use supplemental oxygen

Question 2

At what altitude (MSL) does the average person begin to feel Hypoxia?

Answer 2

Begin to feel the affects of hypoxia at 10,000’

for some, hypoxia can cause impairment with altitudes as low as 5,000

Question 3

What is hypoxia insidious?

Answer 3

It sneaks up on you, blinding you to the feeling that something is wrong

initial symptoms such as a care free feeling can provide false sense of security

the human body does not give reliable signals at the onset of hypoxia

medication that depress the nervous system (sleep aids) or antihistaminic (allergy) make pilots more susceptible

Question 4

Hypoxia Symptoms

Answer 4

Varies from person to person

first symptom is generally feeling euphoric/carefree

headache, increased reaction time, decreased response to stimuli, impaired judgment, visual impairment, drowsiness, light headed/dizzy, tingling in extremities, numbness, tunnel vision

(tunnel vision usually kicks in as hypoxia worsens, instrument interpretation becomes difficult

Question 5

Hypemic Hypoxia

Answer 5

occurs when the blood is not available to take up and transport a sufficient amount of oxygen to the cells of the body “not enough blood”

result of oxygen deficiency in blood
a common cause is CO poisoning

Question 6

Hypoxic Hypoxia

Answer 6

A result of insufficient oxygen available to the body as a whole.

can be cause from a blocked airway
as aircraft rise during flight there are fewer available molecules at the pressure required for them to pass through the membrane of the respitory system

Question 7

Stagnant Hypoxia

Answer 7

“not flowing” results when the )2 rich blood in the lungs is not moving to the tissue that needs it

can result from shock or heart failing to pump
excessive Gs in flight
cold temperatures can slow circulatory flow

Question 8

Histotoxic

Answer 8

“toxic” the inability of the cells to effectively use oxygen

can be caused by alcohol or drug such as narcotics
1oz alcohol= 2,000 of physiological altitude

Question 9

Symptoms of hypoxia

Answer 9

Very from individual but common ones are:

cyanosis (blue finger tips or lips), headaches, decreaased stimuli response and delayed reaction time, impared judgment, euphoria, drowsiness, tingling fingers/toes, light headed/dizzy, numbness, visual imparement

Question 10

Hyperventilation

Answer 10

The excessive rate and depth of respiration leading to abnormal loss of CO2 from the blood.

Common symptoms include:rapid breathing, visual impairment, light headed or dizzy sensation, tingling sensation, hot / cold sensation, muscle spasms, unconsciousness

Question 11

What can cause hyperventilation?

Answer 11

Hyperventilation can be cause by:
The body reacting to stressful situations

Flying higher altitudes a pilot may have a tendency to breath more rapidly than normal.

Question 12

Corrective action for hyperventilation

Answer 12

Breathing normally is the best prevention and the best cure for hyperventilation

breathing into a bag also helps
once normal breathing is restored, hyperventilation rapidly subsides

*sing/talking

Question 13

Middle ear sinus problems
Sinus Block

Answer 13

AN upper respiratory infection, such as a cold or sinusitis, or a nasal allergy condition can produce enough congestion around an opening to slow equalization. As the difference in pressure between the sinuses and flight deck increases, congestion may plug the opening. This “sinus block” occurs most frequently during descent.

Sinus block can be avoided by not flying with upper respiratory infection or nasal allergy conditions

Question 14

What is the middle ear?

What is the inner ear?

Answer 14

Middle ear is a small cavity located in the bone of the skull, right on the inside of the ear drum

Inner ear is the portion of the ear located on the inside of the eardrum
in houses organs that make up the vestibular system “the semicircular canals”

Question 15

Ear Block

Answer 15

When the Eustachian tube is blocked and unable to equalize pressure during climbs and descents

can cause severe ear pain and hearing loss that can lost hours/days

can also lead to ruptured wardrum/ infections

Question 16

Why do descents inflict more discomfort on eardrums than climbs?

Answer 16

Equalizing lower pressure air inside the middle ear through the Eustachian tube becomes more difficult due to the fact that the partial vacuum tends to constrict the walls of the tube.

This vacuum effect on the Eustachian tube does not happen in climbs

Question 17

Optical Illusions

Answer 17

Various terrain features and atmospheric conditions can create optical illusions primarily associated with landing. The major illusions leading to errors are:

Runway width illusions - may seem higher

Featureless terrain Illusion - may seem higher

Water refraction - may seem higher

Haze - may seem higher or farther

Fog - may seem like pitching up

Runway/terrain slope Illusion - may seem higher

ground lighting illusion - road light may seem like runway/also may make runway appear closer than reality

Question 18

Spatial Disorientation

Answer 18

Lack of orientation with regard to position, attitude, or movement of the airplane in space.

the body uses 3 integrated systems to ascertain orientation and movement in space;

-vestibular system- organ found in the inner ear that sense position by the way we are balanced

-somatosensory system - nerves in the skin, muscles, and joints that, along with hearing, sense position based on gravity, feeling and sounds

-visual system - eyes, which sense position based on what is seen

Question 19

What causes spatial disorientation?

Answer 19

our three sensory systems providing conflicting information to the brain - this gives an unclear idea of where and how the body is moving

Question 20

The leans illusion

Answer 20

an abrupt correction of a banked attitude which has been entered too slowly to stimulate the motion sensing system in the ear, can create the illusion of banking in opposite direction

Question 21

How can you prevent potentially hazardous illusion

Answer 21

to prevent hazardous illusions use the vasi or papi or electronic glide slopes is available

anticipate illusions: use chart supplements for info on runway slope, terrain, lighting

Make frequent references to altimeter

Question 22

corrective action for motion sickness

Answer 22

starting with shorter flights or flying in less turbulent conditions is a good measure to take to prevent motion sickness

opening fresh air vents/windows, focusing on objects outside the airplane, and avoiding unnecessary head movement may alleviate some discomfort

Question 23

Motion sickness

Answer 23

motion sickness or air sickness is caused by the brain receiving conflicting messages about the state of the body

common symptoms
discomfort
nausea
dizziness
paleness
sweating
vomiting

Question 24

carbon monoxide poisoning CO

Answer 24

colorless odorless gas produced by internal combustion

prevents hemoglobin from carrying oxygen to cells

if strong exhaust odors are present, assume CO is present

some CO poisoning symptoms are: headache, dizziness, drowsiness, loss of muscle power, blurred vision

Question 25

corrective action for CO poisoning

Answer 25

If the pilot smells exhauset odor or symptoms of CO poisoning are experienced, immediate corrective action should be taken including:

Turning off heater
opening air vents/windows
using supplemental oxygen
declare emergency
consider emergency descent

Question 26

Stress

Answer 26

The bodys response to physical and spycological demands placed upon it. the body response to stress includes releasing hormones (such as adrenaline) into the blood, increasing metabolism and creating more energy.

Some “stressors” include; physical stress(noise), physiological stress (fatigue), psychological (work or personal life).

Falls in 2 categories; acute (short tem) Chronic (long term)
Pilots experiencing chronic stress are usually not safe to fly

Question 27

How does the body react to stress?

Answer 27

The body releases hormones (such as adrenaline) in the blood and metabolism increases to provide more energy to the muscles

also blood sugar, heart rate, restoration, blood pressure, and perspiration all increase.

Question 28

Fatigue

Answer 28

Frequently associated with pilot error

some factors include; decrease in attention and concentration, impared coordination, decreased ability to communicate

physical fatigue can result from sleep loss, exercise, or physical work.

mental fatigue results from stress and prolonged performance of conitive work

2 factors; acute fatigue and chronic fatigue

skill fatigue is an acute fatigue

Question 29

What type of fatigue is most detrimental to pilots?

Answer 29

Skill fatigue. This type acute fatigue has two main effects on performance

1) timing disruptions, where tasks seem to be performed as usual exempt the timing of each component

2) Disruption of the perceptual field, where attention becomes concertrated upon movements or objects in the center of vision, neglecting those in the periphery

Question 30

symptoms of chronic fatigue

Answer 30

weakness
tiredness
heart palpitations
breathlessness
headaches
irritability
stomach problems
generalized aches/pains

Question 31

Dehydration

Answer 31

Critical loss of water from the body / 1.5 qts start

first noticeable effect is fatigue, which affects physical and mental performance

to prevent, drink 2 - 4 quarts of water daily

other sysptoms include headache, cramps, sleepiness and dizziness

Question 32

What is hypothermia and why dangerous

Answer 32

Its a medical emergency that occurs when your body loses hear faster than it can produce it, resulting in critically low body temp.

Its dangerous because it is incapacitating. Once your body temp drops to low, your body tries to jump start some heat by shivering and constricting muscles. this discomfort is extremely distracting. eventually youll feel pain in your extremities and permanent nerve damage, a slowed pulse, loss of conciousness, then death.

Question 33

How to avoid hypothermia

Answer 33

Plan ahead

scope out weather thoroughly

verify heater function beforehand

bring extra clothing

identify contingency routes

Question 34

Alcohol or Drugs

Answer 34

(91.17)

no person may act attempt to act as crew member of a civil aircraft-

1) within 8 hours after the consumption of alcohol

2) while under the influence

3) while using any drug that affects the persons faculties in any way contrary to safety

4) while having a BAC of .04 or grater in blood or breath specimen. Alcohol concentration means grams of alcohol per deciliter of blood or per 210 liters of breath

Question 35

Why do pilots have to abide by stricter regulations for alcohol?

Answer 35

Due to the aggravated affects of higher pressure altitudes. as little as

• 1 bottle of beer
• 1 ounce liquor
• 4 ounces of wine

can impair flying skills by rendering a pilot more susceptible to hypoxia and disorientation

piloting an aircraft entails heightened burden of decision making and coordination

Question 36

How long does FAA recommend waiting between dosing intervals before flying after taking medication?

Answer 36

FAA recomends waiting 5 maximal dosing intervals before flight after taking meds.

So a dosing interval of 5-6 hours would require a wait of 30 hrs

Question 37

Decompression sickness (DCS)

Answer 37

Result from exposure to low barometric pressure that cause inert gases (mainly nitrogen) normally dissolved in body fluids and tissues, to come out of physical solutions and forms bubbles.

Most common symptoms in joint pain (the bends) from nitrogen bubbles in blood

The chokes is from bubbles in lungs

Question 38

What to do when Decompression sickness occurs?

Answer 38

put on oxygen mask at 100% oxygen

begin emergency descent and land asap

keep affected area still if joint pain

seek medical attention upon landing

delayed symptoms of DCS can occur on ground after flight

Question 39

DCS after scuba

Answer 39

A pilot or Pax should allow the body sufficient time to rid itself of sxcess nitrogen absorbed during diving if not, DCS due to evolved gas can occur during exposure to low altitude and create serious injury inflight

Recommended waiting time before flying up to 8,000 is at least 12 hours for diving that does not require controlled ascent, and 24 hrs for controlled ascent

divers should always wait 24 if flying above 8,000

Question 40

What is aeronautical decision making?

Answer 40

ADM is a systematic approach to risk assessment and stress management steps for good decision making are:

identifying personal attitude hazardous to safe flight

learning behavior modification techniques

learning how to recognize and cope with stress

developing risk assessment skills

using all resources

evaluating the effectiveness of ones ADM skills

Question 41

PAVE checklist

Answer 41

Helps pilots remember each category to examine risk prior to each flight.

P = pilot in command - the pilot must ask “am i ready for this trip” in terms of experience, recency, currency, physical and emotional conditions

A = aircraft - what limitations will the aircraft pose?

E = enVironment - weather, terrain, airport airspace, nighttime

E = External pressure - pressure to complete the flight

Question 42

IMSAFE checklist

Answer 42

8-1-1

Determines physical and mental readiness for flying

Illness - am I Sick?

Medication - Have I taken medication that could impairment?

Stress - Am I under any phycological stress?

Alcohol - Have I drank within 8hrs? 24hrs?

Fatigue - Am I tired or not adequately rested?

Emotion - Am I emotionally upset?

Question 43

What are the Hazardous Attitudes?

Answer 43

Attitudes that can negatively impact decision making and flight safety

Macho - trying to prove superiority over others

anti - authority dislike for authority figure

Resignation - feeling like one cant make a difference

Impulsivity - acting without thinking

Invulnerability - believing accidents only happen to others

Question 44

Hypoxia

Answer 44

“reduce oxygen” or “not enough oxygen”

can be caused by several factors, including insufficient oxygen supply, inadequate transportation of O2 or the inability of the body’s tissue to use oxygen.

the forms of hypoxia are based on their causes

hypoxic
hypemic
stagnant
histo-toxic