Human Factors Flashcards
Orientation is:
Orientation is the awareness of the position of the aircraft and of oneself in relation to a specific reference point.
Disorientation is:
Disorientation is the lack of orientation, and Spatial Disorientation refers to the lack of orientation with regard to position in space and to other objects.
Orientation is maintained by these three areas:
Orientation is maintained through the VISUAL, VESTIBULAR, and POSTURAL senses.
What happens to the sensory organs when the human body is in flight?
When the human body is subjected to the forces of flight these senses can provide misleading information (primarily Vestibular and Postural). Visual is most reliable.
Which organ/sensory system is the major orientation source and usually provides accurate and reliable information?
Visual / Eyes provide the majority of information and prevail over sensations from other sensory systems.
How do you counter false sensations while not in visual conditions ( IMC )?
Recognize that false sensations can happen, disregard the false sensations, rely on instruments. Must have understanding that this can happen and the self-confidence to control the aircraft using only instruments.
What two major parts of the ear relate to orientation?
Semicircular canals and otolith organs.
Semicircular Canals detect:
Semicircular Canals detect ANGULAR ACCELERATION of the body. Three tubes filled with ENDOLYMPH Fluid that sense Pitch, Roll, and Yaw.
Otolith Organs detect:
Otolith Organs detect LINEAR ACCELERATION and GRAVITY
What can happen during an extended stable turn to include when the turn stops?
Eventually the fluid in the ear will stabilize and the sensation of turning will cease. When the turn stops it will create a sensation of turning in the opposite direction even though the attitude of the aircraft is level.
What disorientation condition can occur when you enter a banked attitude too slowly then make an abrupt correction?
The LEANS can result when a banked attitude is entered too slowly to set in motion the fluid in the semicircular canals. An abrupt correction to level will set the fluid in motion, creating the illusion of banking in the opposite direction.
What can cause the CORIOLIS Illusion?
A long turn where the fluid in the ears is allowed to stabilize with a movement of the head in another plane. This may create a strong illusion of turning or accelerating on an entirely different axis. Important that your instrument cross-check or scan involves minimal head movement.
When could a GRAVEYARD SPIRAL Illusion occur?
Prolonged, coordinated turn where the ear fluid has stabilized, during recovery to level flight the pilot experiences the illusion of turning in the opposite direction and the pilot may return to the original turn. Pilot may react to decreasing altitude by applying aft control pressure, which may tighten the turn and increase the rate of descent.
Which illusion can occur during rapid acceleration?
Rapid acceleration such as during takeoff stimulates the Otolith Organs the same way as tilting the head back does. This may cause the SOMATOGRAVIC illusion of being NOSE-UP. A rapid deceleration can have the opposite effect.
An abrupt change from Climb to Straight and Level flight can cause which illusion?
An abrupt change from climb to straight and level flight will stimulate the Otolith Organs enough to create the illusion of tumbling backwards aka the INVERSION ILLUSION.
