Human Factors Flashcards
What is hypoxia? (AIM 8‑1‑2)
Hypoxia is a state of oxygen deficiency in the body which impairs functions of the brain and other organs.
Where does hypoxia usually occur, and what symptoms should one expect? (AIM 8‑1‑2)
Show Answer
From 12,000 feet to 15,000 feet of altitude, judgment, memory, alertness, coordination, and ability to make calculations are impaired, and headache, drowsiness, dizziness and either a sense of well-being or belligerence occur. Effects are worse above 15,000 feet.
What factors can make a pilot more susceptible to hypoxia? (AIM 8‑1‑2)
Show Answer
Carbon monoxide inhaled in smoking or from exhaust fumes lowered hemoglobin (anemia)
certain medications
Small amounts of alcohol and low doses of certain drugs, such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives, and analgesics can, through their depressant action, render the brain much more susceptible to hypoxia.
Extreme heat and cold, fever, and anxiety increase the body’s demand for oxygen, and hence its susceptibility to hypoxia.
How can hypoxia be avoided? (AIM 8‑1‑2)
by enriching the inspired air with oxygen
By maintaining a comfortable, safe cabin pressure altitude.
For optimum protection, pilots are encouraged to use supplemental oxygen above 10,000 feet during the day, and above 5,000 feet at night.
What is hyperventilation? (AIM 8‑1‑3)
an abnormal increase in the volume of air breathed in and out of the lungs
can occur subconsciously when a stressful situation is encountered in flight.
This results in a significant decrease in the carbon dioxide content of the blood.
What symptoms can a pilot expect from hyperventilation? (AIM 8‑1‑3)
light-headedness, suffocation, drowsiness, tingling in the extremities, and coolness
Incapacitation can eventually result from uncoordination, disorientation, and painful muscle spasms. Finally, unconsciousness can occur.
How can a hyperventilating condition be reversed? (AIM 8‑1‑3)
The symptoms of hyperventilation subside within a few minutes after the rate and depth of breathing are consciously brought back to normal.
The buildup of carbon dioxide in the body can be hastened by controlled breathing in and out of a paper bag held over the nose and mouth.
What is carbon monoxide poisoning? (AIM 8‑1‑4)
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas contained in exhaust fumes.
When inhaled, even in minute quantities over a period of time, it can significantly reduce the ability of the blood to carry oxygen. Consequently, effects of hypoxia occur.
How does carbon monoxide poisoning occur, and what symptoms should a pilot be alert for? (AIM 8‑1‑4)
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Use of heaters that have a faulty Most heaters in light aircraft work by air flowing over the manifold.
If there’s a crack in the manifold, fumes escape resulting in carbon monoxide leaks
A pilot who detects the odor of exhaust or experiences symptoms of headache, drowsiness, or dizziness while using the heater should suspect carbon monoxide poisoning.
What action should be taken if a pilot suspects carbon monoxide poisoning? (AIM 8‑1‑4)
A pilot who suspects this condition to exist should immediately shut off the heater and open all air vents and land.
What is the cause of motion sickness, and what are its symptoms? (FAA‑H‑8083‑25)
Continued stimulation of the inner ear, which controls the sense of balance.
loss of appetite, saliva collecting in the mouth, perspiration, nausea, disorientation, headaches, and possible vomiting. The pilot may become incapacitated if it becomes severe enough.
What action should be taken if a pilot or his passenger suffers from motion sickness? (FAA‑H‑8083‑25)
open up the air vents
loosen the clothing
use supplemental oxygen
keep the eyes on a point outside the airplane
Avoid unnecessary head movements
Terminate the flight and land as soon as possible.
What is “ear block”? (AIM 8‑1‑2)
When an upper respiratory infection, such as a cold or sore throat, or a nasal allergic condition produces congestion around the Eustachian tube to make equalization difficult.
The eustachian tube may close and you might experience severe pain and loss of hearing
What action can be taken to prevent ear block from occurring in flight? (AIM 8‑1‑2)
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swallowing, yawning, tensing muscles in the throat or,
combination of closing the mouth, pinching the nose closed and attempting to blow through the nostrils (Valsalva maneuver).
It is also prevented by not flying with an upper respiratory infection or nasal allergic condition.
What regulations apply and what common sense should prevail concerning the use of alcohol? (14 CFR 91.17, AIM 8-1-1)
The regulations prohibit pilots from performing crewmember duties:
within 8 hours after drinking any alcoholic beverage
while under the influence of alcohol
having .04 percent weight or more alcohol in the blood.
For a pilot who has been taking an over-the-counter (OTC) cold medication, how do the various environmental factors the pilot is exposed to inflight affect the drug’s physiological impact on the pilot? (FAA-H-8083-25)
Drugs that cause no apparent side effects on the ground can create serious problems at relatively low altitudes resulting in impaired judgment, decision-making, and performance.
What regulations apply and what common sense should prevail concerning the use of drugs and medication? (AIM 8‑1‑1)
The regulations prohibit pilots from performing crewmember duties:
While using any medication that affects the faculties in any way contrary to safety.
The safest rule is not to fly as a crewmember while taking any medication, unless approved to do so by the FAA.
Discuss the effects of nitrogen excesses during scuba diving upon a pilot or passenger in flight. (AIM 8‑1‑2)
A pilot or passenger who intends to fly after scuba diving should allow the body sufficient time to rid itself of excess nitrogen absorbed during diving. If not, decompression sickness due to evolved gas can occur during exposure to low altitude and create a serious inflight emergency. The recommended waiting times before flight are as follows:
Flight altitudes up to 8,000 feet:
- Wait at least 12 hours after diving which has not required a controlled ascent.
- Wait at least 24 hours after diving which has required controlled ascent.
Flight altitudes above 8,000 feet:
• Wait at least 24 hours after any scuba dive.
Note: The recommended altitudes are actual flight altitudes above mean sea level and not pressurized cabin altitudes. This takes into consideration the risk of decompression of the aircraft during flight.
You recently experienced a bad cold and were treated by your personal physician. You continue to take the medications your physician prescribed, but feel much better. Can you resume flying on your current medical or must you first see an FAA Airman Medical Examiner?
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(14 CFR 61.53)
Anytime you experience an illness or an injury that you feel may affect your ability to safely fly an aircraft, you must self-ground yourself until you feel better. 14 CFR 61.53 requires that all pilots voluntarily self-ground anytime—
a. They know or have reason to know of any medical condition that would make them unable to meet the requirements for the medical certificate necessary for the pilot operation.
b. They are taking medication or receiving other treatment for a medical condition that results in them being unable to meet the requirements for the medical certificate necessary for the pilot operation.
If in doubt about your condition or the medications you are taking, consult with an AME before resuming your flying activities.
Can you operate an aircraft while taking an over-the-counter medication for an on-going condition (allergies, hay fever, etc.)? (FAA-P-8740-41)
Self-medication or taking medication in any form while you are flying can be extremely hazardous. Even simple home or over-the-counter remedies such as aspirin, laxatives, tranquilizers and appetite suppressors may seriously impair the judgment and coordination needed while flying. The safest rule is to take no medicine while flying, except with the advice of your AME.
Define the term “single-pilot resource management.” (FAA-H-8083-9)
Single-pilot resource management (SRM) is the art and science of managing all the resources (both on-board the aircraft and from outside sources) available to a single pilot (prior to and during flight) to ensure that the successful outcome of the flight is never in doubt. SRM helps pilots learn to execute methods of gathering information, analyzing it, and making decisions.
What are examples of the skills necessary for effective SRM? (FAA-H-8083-25)
SRM includes the concepts of aeronautical decision making (ADM), risk management (RM), task management (TM), automation management (AM), controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) awareness, and situational awareness (SA).
What practical application provides a pilot with an effective method to practice SRM? (FAA-H-8083-9)
The “Five P” checklist consists of the Plan the Plane the Pilot the Passengers the Programming
It is based on the idea that the pilot has essentially five variables that impact his or her environment and that can cause the pilot to make a single critical decision, or several less critical decisions, that when added together can create a critical outcome.
Explain the use of the “Five P” model to assess risk associated with each of the five factors. (FAA-H-8083-2)
At key decision points, application of the Five P checklist should be performed by reviewing each of the critical variables:
Plan — weather, route, publications, ATC reroutes/delays, fuel onboard/remaining
Plane — mechanical status, automation status, database currency, backup systems
Pilot — illness, medication, stress, alcohol, fatigue, eating
Passengers — pilots/non-pilots, nervous or quiet, experienced or new, business or pleasure
Programming — autopilot, GPS, MFD/PFD; anticipate likely reroutes/clearances; questions to ask — What is it doing? Why is it doing it? Did I do it?
When is the use of the “Five P” checklist recommended? (FAA-H-8083-9)
The “Five P” concept relies on the pilot to adopt a scheduled review of the critical variables at points in the flight where decisions are most likely to be effective. These key decision points include preflight, pre-takeoff, hourly or at the midpoint of the flight, pre-descent, and just prior to the final approach fix (or, for VFR operations, just prior to entering the traffic pattern). They also should be used anytime an emergency situation arises.
Define the term “aeronautical decision making.” (FAA-H-8083-9)
Aeronautical decision making (ADM) is a systematic approach to the mental process used by aircraft pilots to consistently determine the best course of action in response to a given set of circumstances.
