Visual Deficiencies, Illusions and Spatial D

Question 1

Presbyopia

Answer 1

Normal aging process where the lens on the eye hardens and causes blurred vision for up-close images.

Question 2

Cataracts during Presbyopia

Answer 2

Clouding of the eye. May occur causing glares to appear with object.

Question 3

Hyperopia

Answer 3

AKA Farsightedness; where the point of focus is behind the retinal wall. Images up close are blurry

Question 4

Myopia

Answer 4

AKA Nearsigthedness; point of focus is in front of the retinal wall. Images far away are blurry.

Question 5

Night Myopia

Answer 5

Slightly nearsighted people will have blurred vision at night with blue/green light. Sharpness of the image decreases as the pupil size increases.

Question 6

Astigmatism

Answer 6

Unequal curve of the cornea that results in an inability to focus on different place (vertical/horizontal) simultaneously

Question 7

What is the cause of middle ear discomfort when ascending?

Answer 7

Ear drum bulges out

Question 8

What is the cause of middle ear discomfort when descending?

Answer 8

Ear drum pushes in. Fast Decent could rupture the ear drum.

Question 9

In the event you experience a ruptured ear drum due to a fast descent in the aircraft what do you do?

Answer 9

Ascend until pressurized, then slowly descend.

Question 10

Potential ruptured ear drums can occur when descending how far?

Answer 10

Between 15,000-5,000 ft descents

Question 11

Spatial Disorientation: Proprioceptive Illusions

Answer 11

Rarely Occur alone
Closely associated with with vestibular illusions and to a lesser degree visual illusions.
Inputs to the brain may lead to false perceptions of true vertical
In a proper turn and without visual references the body senses being pushed into seat and feel as though it was climbing.
Recovery from turn has opposite affect on the body.

Question 12

When dealing with Spatial Disorientation, what are the two versions of Vesitbular illusions?

Answer 12

Somatogyral

Somatogravic

Question 13

What are the Somatogyral Vesitbular Illusions?

Answer 13

Leans
Graveyard Spin
Coriolis

Question 14

What are the Somatogravic Vesitbular Illusions?

Answer 14

Oculogravic
OculoAgravic
Elevator

Question 15

Describe what the Leans are?

Answer 15

A Somatogyral Vestibular illusion that most commonly occurs when in a slow roll which goes undetected until there is a quick fix in the turn.

Question 16

Describe Graveyard Spin.

Answer 16

A somatogyral Vestibular Illusion that most commonly occurs in fixed wing aircraft, equillibrium after longturn

Question 17

Describe Coriolis

Answer 17

A somatogyral Vestibular illusion where there is fluid movement in all three canals of the ear. It is the most dangerous and is gives pilots overwhelming spatial-D

Question 18

Describe Oculogravic Illusion

Answer 18

A somatogravic vesitbular illusion. occurs when pilot is moving along a linear path and makes a rapid acceleration/deceleration which causes a feeling of nose high or low.

Question 19

Describe OculoAgravic Illusion

Answer 19

A somatogravic vesitbular illusion. When aircraft is in a downward movement the pilot’s eyes track up and sense a nose low

Question 20

Describe the elevator illusion

Answer 20

A somatogravic vestibular illusion. When the aircraft is in a upward acceleration the pilot’s eyes track down and sense a rise in the nose.

Question 21

How can you prevent Spatial-D?

Answer 21

TANN

Trust instruments
Avoid HASHF
Never fly w/o visual references
Never fly VMC and IMC Simultaneously

Question 22

How do you treat Spatial-D in the aircraft?

Answer 22

Dr. T

• Delay intuitive reaction IOT check references and Instruments
• Refer to instruments. Conduct a good cross-check
• Transfer Controls

Question 23

In treating Spatial D, we should avoid HASHF. What does HASHF stand for?

Answer 23

Hypoxia
Anxiety
Smoking
Hypoglycemia
Fatigue

Question 24

Definition of Spatial-D

Answer 24

Inability to determine position, attitude, and motion relative to earth’s surface. When it occurs pilots are unable to see, interpret, believe, or prove information from instruments. They rely on false information from senses.

Question 25

What are the types of Spatial-D?

Answer 25

Type 1: Unrecognized
Type 2: Recognized
Type 3: Uncapacitating

Question 26

Describe Unrecognized Spatial-D

Answer 26

Most dangerous. Pilot doesn’t think that there are any problems.

Question 27

Describe Recognized Spatial-D

Answer 27

Pilot knows that there is a problem, but does not realize it is Spatial-D

Question 28

Describe Incapacitating Spatial-D

Answer 28

The disorientation is so overwhelming the pilot cannot function.