Human Factors Flashcards
What regulations apply to medical certification?
Part 67
As a flight crewmember, you discover you have high blood pressure. You have a current medical certificate. Can you continue to exercise the privileges of your certificate?
No; Regulations prohibit a pilot from performing crewmember duties while the pilot has a known medical condition or increase of known medical condition that would make the pilot unable to meet the medical standards
Are flight crewmembers allowed the use of any medications while performing required duties?
No medicals allowed unless approved by the FAA; best to contact your AME
Are there any over-the-counter medications that could be considered safe to use while flying?
No; any potential side effects are not allowed
What are several factors that may contribute to impairment of a pilot’s performance?
IMSAFE (Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, Emotion)
What is hypoxia?
Lack of oxygen in the body to function normally
Give a brief explanation of the four forms of hypoxia
Hypoxic - Lack of oxygen in the environment (altitude)
Hypemic - Lack of oxygen in the blood (CO poisoning)
Stagnant - Lack of oxygen-rich blood flow (Gs)
Histotoxic - Inability of cells to use the oxygen (Drugs and alcohol)
Where does hypoxia usually occur, and what symptoms should one expect?
Typically starting from 12,000’ to 15,000’, but night vision deterioration may occur as low as 5,000’. Fatigue, drowsiness, dizziness, headache, sense of euphoria.
What factors can make a pilot more susceptible to hypoxia?
CO fumes from smoking or exhaust fumes
Anemia (lower hemoglobin)
Certain medication
Small amount of alcohol
Low doses of certain drugs (antihistamines, sedatives)
Extreme heat or cold, fever, and anxiety increase the body’s need for oxygen as well
How can hypoxia be avoided?
Preventing hypoxic factors and/or Increasing the oxygen supply.
Supplemental oxygen should be considered when flying above 10,000’ during the day or 5,000’ at night. A pulse oximeter can also be useful.
What is hyperventilation?
Lack of carbon dioxide in the body
What action should be taken if a pilot or passenger suffers from motion sickness?
Provide as much airflow to the passenger, and avoid unnecessary head movements. Cancel the flight and land as soon as possible
What regulations apply, and what common sense should prevail, concerning the use of alcohol?
Regulations are 8 hours between the influence and flying. 12 to 24 hours between bottle to throttle should be used.
What is carbon monoxide poisoning?
Colorless, odorless gas contained in exhaust fumes. Short exposure can lead to hypoxia
What symptoms can a pilot expect from hyperventilation?
Dizziness, drowsiness, tingling in extremities. May become incapacitated from uncoordination, disorientation, painful muscle spasms, and eventually unconsciousness.
What is ear block?
Expanding air in the middle ear pushes open the Eustachian tube to equalize pressure. A respiratory infection may hamper the ability of the Eustachian tube to open to equalize. May cause severe pain and lost of hearing
How is ear block normally prevented from occurring?
By swallowing, yawning, tensing muscles in the throat, closing mouth and pinching nose while blowing thru nostril (Valsalva maneuver). Not flying with an upper respiratory infection or nasal allergies.
What causes spatial disorientation?
When one of the visual (eyes), vestibular (inner ear), postural (nerves, joints, muscles) systems provide misleading information
What is the cause of motion sickness, and what are its symptoms?
Caused by the continued stimulation of the inner ear. Symptoms include loss of appetite, sweating, nausea, incapacitation.
How does carbon monoxide poisoning occur, and what symptoms should a pilot be alert for?
Leaks from the air heat system due to the use of heat shroud. Any signs of exhaust odor or CO poisoning symptoms while heat is on should suspect the heater system.
What action should be taken if a pilot suspects carbon monoxide poisoning?
Immediately shut off the heater, and open all air vents. Seek medical treatment if severe or continued sickness.
Discuss the effects of nitrogen excesses from scuba diving upon a pilot or passenger in flight
Body needs time to rid itself of excess nitrogen absorbed while diving.
Altitudes up to 8,000’: 12 hours if uncontrolled ascent; 24 hours if controlled ascent
Altitudes above 8,000’: 24 hours
For a pilot who has been taking an over-the-counter cold medication, how do the various environmental factors the pilot is exposed to in-flight affect the drug’s physiological impairment on the pilot?
Drugs that cause no apparent side effects on the ground may change due to the changes in the oxygen in the blood stream relative to altitude, even with the smallest changes in altitude.
Define the term single pilot resource management (SRM)
Managing all available resources to a single pilot
What practical application provides a pilot with an effective method to practice SRM?
5P model
Explain the use of the 5P model to assess risk associated with each of the five factors
Plan - flight plan
Plane - all system status
Pilot - IMSAFE checklist
Passengers - who are they
Programming - What is it doing? Why is it doing? Did I do it?
When is the use of the 5P checklist recommended?
Regular intervals in all phases of flight action
Define the term aeronautical decision-making (ADM)
A systematic mental approach to consistently determine the best course of action in response to a given set of circumstances. Two most common models are the DECIDE and 3P models
The DECIDE model of decision-making involves which elements?
Detect a change needing attention
Estimate the need to counter or react to a change
Choose the most desirable outcome
Identify actions to successfully control the change
Do something to adapt the change
Evaluate the effect of the action countering the change
How is the 3P model different from the DECIDE model of ADM?
3P is a continuous loop handling hazard whereas the DECIDE model focuses on a specific problem requiring resolution
How will you use the 3P model to recognize and mitigate risks throughout a flight?
Once a course of action has been selected the process begins again with changes brought about with the course of action - it is therefore a continuous loop
Name five hazardous attitudes that can affect a pilot’s ability to make sound decisions and properly exercise authority
Anti-authority - Follow the rules
Impulsivity - Think first
Invulnerability - It could happen to me
Macho - Taking chances is foolish
Resignation - I can make a difference
Define the term risk management
Decision-making process designed to systematically identify hazards, assess the degree of risk, and weigh the potential costs of risks against the possible benefits of allowing those risks to stand uncontrolled
What is the definition of a hazard?
Present condition, event, object, or circumstance that could lead to or contribute to an unplanned or undesired event
What are several examples of aviation hazards?
Crack prop
Improper refueling
Pilot fatigue
Weather
What is the definition of risk?
The future impact of a hazard that is not controlled or eliminated
How can the use of the PAVE checklist during flight planning help you to assess risk?
Quick and simple way to examine all areas of risk
Pilot
Aircraft
eVironment
External Factors
Explain the use of a personal minimums checklist and how it can help a pilot control risk
What is legal doesn’t constitute what is smart
What is one method you can use to identify risk before departure?
Set personal minimums for PAVE model
Explain the use of a personal checklist such as IMSAFE to determine personal risks
Self-assessment of physical and emotional states that could affect performance
Describe how the 3P model can be used for practical risk management
Perceive - hazards for flight (PAVE)
Process - evaluate the impact of the hazards (C; consequence, A; alternatives available, R; reality of the situation, E; external pressures that might influence analysis)
Perform - implement the best course of actions (T; transfers, E; eliminate, A; accept, M; mitigate)
Explain how often a pilot should use the 3P model of ADM throughout the flight
Once a course of action has been selected the process starts again with the circumstances brought about due to the actions chosen
What is a risk assessment matrix?
A tool used to assess the likelihood of an event occurring and the severity or consequences of that event. The matrix differentiates between levels of risk factor
What is a Flight Risk Assessment Tool (FRAT)?
Preflight planning tool that uses a series of questions in each major risk category (PAVE) to help identify and quantify risk for a flight
Define the term task management
Process by which pilots manage the many, concurrent tasks that must be performed safely and efficiently operate an aircraft
What are several factors that can reduce a pilot’s ability to manage workload effectively?
Environmental Conditions - Conditions beyond normal operating conditions
Physiological stress - Conditions causing a lack of focus
Psychological stress - Conditions causing a lack of mental capacity
What are several options that a pilot can employ to decrease workload and avoid becoming overloaded?
Stop, think, slow down, and prioritize. Delegate certain tasks if/when possible. Use of autopilot or ATC
What is one method of prioritizing tasks to avoid an overload situation?
Aviate, navigate, communicate
How can tasks be completed in a timely manner without causing a distraction from flying?
Planning, prioritizing, and sequencing tasks
What are two common methods of checklist usage?
Do-Verify (DV) method - Use the checklist to verify the actions have been accomplished
Challenge-Do-Verify (CDV) method - One pilot issues a challenge then action is performed then a checklist is used to verify that action has been accomplished (two crew environment)
What are several examples of common errors that can occur while using the checklist?
Missed items due to distraction
Items incorrectly performed
Failure to use the appropriate checklist
Too much time head down reading checklist
Checklist not readily available
Emergency/abnormal checklist not readily available
Memory items are accomplished but not verified with checklist
What are several recommended methods of managing checklist accomplishment?
Physical interaction
Verbally state checklist item action
Announce when checklist is complete
What are immediate action items?
Items that must be accomplished before referring to the checklist
Discuss the importance of understanding the procedure for the positive exchange of flight controls
Clear assumptions in the flight deck. Verbal announcement of relinquishing control, followed by the acceptance transfer, reconfirms the relinquishing control
Define the term situational awareness
The accurate perception and understanding of all factors and conditions within the four fundamental risk areas (PAVE)
What are some of the elements inside and outside the aircraft that a pilot must consider to maintain situational awareness?
Inside the aircraft - status of systems, pilot, and passengers
Outside of the aircraft - awareness of where the aircraft is in relation to terrain, traffic, weather, and airspace
What are several factors that reduce situational awareness?
Factors that reduce SA include distractions, unusual or unexpected events, complacency, high workload, unfamiliar situations, and inopt equipment
When flying a technically advanced aircraft (TAA), what are several procedures that help ensure that situational awareness is enhanced, not diminished, by the automation?
Double check the system and use of verbal callouts
What additional procedures can be used for maintaining situational awareness in technically advanced aircraft?
Verification checks of all programming
Check flight routing
Verify all waypoints
Backup all types of navigation equipment
Match use with pilot proficiency
Plan a realistic flight route
Verify all keystrokes
A majority of controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) accidents have been attributed to what factors?
Lack of pilot currency
Loss of SA
Pilot distraction and breakdown of SRM
Failure to comply with minimums
Breakdown of effective ADM
Insufficient planning, especially descent and arrival
A pilot can decrease the likelihood of a CFIT accident at the destination by identifying what risk factors prior to flight?
Airport location, runway lighting, weather/daylight conditions, approach specs, ATC capabilities, pilot phraseology, and crew configuration
Describe several operational techniques that will help you avoid a CFIT accident?
Maintain SA
Adhere to takeoff and departure procedures
Become familiar with surrounding terrain features and obstacles
Adhere to published routes and minimums
Fly a stabilized approach
Understand ATC clearances and instructions
Don’t be complacent
What is the sterile cockpit rule and how can adherence to this rule prevent CFIT accidents?
Crewmembers refrain from nonessential activities during critical phases of flight which reduce distractions during critical phases of flight
What does the term automation management refer to?
Ability to control and navigate an aircraft by means of automated systems installed in the aircraft
In what three areas must a pilot be proficient when using advanced avionics or any automated system?
Pilot must know what to expect, how to monitor the system for proper operation, and be prepared to promptly take appropriate action if the system does not perform as expected
What is the most important aspect of managing an autopilot/FMS?
Knowing at all times which modes are engaged, which are armed to engage, and being capable of verifying that armed functions engage at the appropriate time
At minimum, the pilot flying with advanced avionics must know how to manage what three primary items?
CDI, navigation source, and autopilot
Explain what is meant by the term automation bias and discuss how it can increase risk
The willingness of a pilot to trust and use automated systems. Failure to monitor systems increasingly reduces SA which significantly increases the risk
Automation management is a good place to practice the standard callout procedures. What are standard callout procedures?
Highlights critical changes while operating
