Sportys Flashcards
Signs and Symptoms of Hypoxia
At 10,000 feet:
Blood can pick up 90% of its oxygen capacity.
Possible slight impairment and reduced concentration over time.
At 14,000 feet:
Pilots may fly off course, forget tasks, or ignore hazards.
At 18,000 feet and above:
Exposure can lead to collapse.
Common symptoms of hypoxia:
Euphoria and a false sense of security.
Dulled mental faculties and impaired coordination.
Drowsiness and nonchalance.
Dizziness and tingling skin.
Cyanosis (bluish lips and fingernails).
Increased heart rate.
Narrowed vision and blurred instruments.
Personality changes similar to intoxication.
Hypoxia affects the brain first, making it difficult for individuals to recognize their impairment.
Supplemental Oxygen and Regulations:
Pilots flying at high altitudes need a pressurized cabin or supplemental oxygen.
FAR Part 91 regulations:
Above 12,500 feet cabin pressure altitude:
Minimum flight crew must use supplemental oxygen after 30 minutes.
Above 14,000 feet cabin pressure altitude:
Flight crew must use supplemental oxygen continuously.
Above 15,000 feet cabin pressure altitude:
Supplemental oxygen must be provided for all occupants at all times.
More stringent regulations for aircraft operated for hire:
Flight crew must use supplemental oxygen after 30 minutes above 10,000 feet cabin pressure altitude.
Flight crew must use supplemental oxygen continuously above 12,000 feet cabin pressure altitude.
Night vision is affected by hypoxia at lower altitudes:
At 8,000 feet, prolonged exposure can impair night vision.
Supplemental oxygen can improve visibility after a few breaths.
Operating the Pressurization System (Piper Malibu Example):
Understanding pressure terms:
Sea level ambient pressure: approximately 14.7 PSI.
Ambient pressure decreases with altitude (e.g., 5.7 PSI at 24,000 feet).
Differential pressure: Difference between cabin pressure and ambient pressure.
Maximum differential pressure:
Piper Malibu’s maximum differential: 5.5 PSI.
Turbine aircraft can have higher maximum differentials (8-9 PSI).
Calculating cabin altitude:
At 24,000 feet with a 5.5 PSI differential:
Cabin pressure = Ambient pressure + Differential pressure.
Cabin pressure = 5.7 PSI + 5.5 PSI = 11.2 PSI (approx. 8,000 feet cabin altitude).
At lower altitudes, can achieve sea level pressure in the cabin.
Using the cabin pressure controller:
Set to 500 feet above planned cruise altitude before takeoff.
Controller displays corresponding cabin altitude.
Rate controller:
Adjusts rate of cabin climb or descent.
Example: 9 o’clock position may equate to 500 feet per minute.
Pressurization instruments:
Cabin altitude indicator.
Cabin climb/descent rate indicator.
Differential pressure gauge.
May be displayed digitally or on mechanical dials.
Managing cabin pressure during flight:
Climb:
System pressurizes the cabin gradually to the set cabin altitude.
Cruise:
Monitor instruments to ensure cabin altitude and differential pressure are within limits.
Be aware of warning systems (e.g., cabin altitude exceeding 10,000 feet).
Descent:
Set controller to landing airport elevation plus 500 feet.
Ensures cabin depressurizes comfortably before touchdown.
when do you need an high altitude endosement?
wether you are or are not flying above 2500’ if the airplane has that service ceiling above 25000 you need the endorsement
the F-A-A requires a high-altitude endorsement to act as pilot in command of a pressurized airplane that has a service ceiling or maximum operating altitude above twenty five thousand feet, regardless of whether or not you climb that high.
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