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