Orientation And Desorientation

Question 1

What is the definition of situational awareness?

Answer 1

Knowing what might happen, what is happening and what has happened

Question 2

What is the single greatest cause of accidents in the RCAF?

Answer 2

Human Factors

Question 3

Name three causes and three symptoms of loss of situational awareness.

Answer 3

Causes : Time pressure, Misdirected attention, Lack of knowledge regarding the situation
Symptoms : Ambiguity, Fixation, Confusion, No one looking outside the windows

Question 4

What do you have to be aware of regarding maintaining your SA?

Answer 4

Continuous sensitivity to location, communications.

Question 5

Define Spatial disorientation.

Answer 5

Losing sense of location, position and altitude, in relation to our surroundings (Earth).

Question 6

What are the factors causing aircrew to become disoriented ?

Answer 6

1. External visual world is lost
2. Aerodynamics of the aircraft
3. Sense of rotation

Question 7

Name three types of disorientation.

Answer 7

Unrecognized (DANGEROUS)
Recognized
Incapacitating

Question 8

Give two examples for each of the following factors associated with Spatial Disorientation (SD).

Answer 8

Environment - Clouds & Night
Manoeuvre - Snowballs & Turns
Pilot - Training & Alcohol
Aircraft - equipment malfunctions & Cockpit ergonomics
Alerting factors - Instrument scans & View of ground

Question 9

Name four human sensory systems.

Answer 9

Vision
Vestibular
Somatosensory
Auditory

Question 10

What is peripheral vision responsible for?

Answer 10

Balance and orientation.

Question 11

Define motion sickness.

Answer 11

State of disconnection between sensory system and the actual motion.

Question 12

Name four signs and symptoms of Motion Sickness.

Answer 12

Lethargy
Apathy
Stomack Awareness
Nausea
Pallor
Cold sweats
Vomiting

Question 13

Who is more prone to motion sickness?

Answer 13

Passengers, People not in command of the aircraft

Question 14

Name a few prevention methods available to combat Motion Sickness.

Answer 14

Pharmacology prevention
Motion Sickness desensitization
Cold air
View the horizon

Question 15

What is the definition of an illusion in relation to Spatial Disorientation and what are the two types of illusion?

Answer 15

An illusion is a false perception of what is really happening or appearing.

Visual illusions
Non-Visual illusions

Question 16

What are some examples of visual illusions related to Spatial Disorientation?

Answer 16

False Horizon
Vector illusion
Nystagmus
Brown out/White out

Question 17

Why is the black hole approach illusion dangerous?

Answer 17

It gives a false sensation of horizon. Using a city’s lights for a landing approach is a good example.

Question 18

How can an aircrew avoid or reduce the autokinesis illusion?

Answer 18

Avoid fixating
Maintain scanning
Check instruments

Question 19

What are two examples of false horizons?

Answer 19

Sloping cloud deck
Sloping terrain

Question 20

What are two examples of non-visual illusions, ad which is the most common?

Answer 20

The leans (Most common)
Coriolis
Graveyard spin
Graveyard spiral
Pitch up/Pitch down

Question 21

What is the most dangerous non-visual illusion that a pilot might experience.

Answer 21

The Coriolis

Question 22

What are three corrective measures for Spatial Disorientation?

Answer 22

Spatial disorientation training
Get on the instruments
Restrict head movements
Fly straight and level
Transfert controls to other pilot
Eject