Evan's CFI Notebook

This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong.
====== 207A - Aeromed/ADM/Human Factors ======

===== Completion Standard =====

The student should display an understanding of aeronautical decision making, aeromedical factors and human factors.

===== Aeromedical Factors =====

Medical Certificates (Part 67)...Issued by AME

Valid for.... 6mo/12mo/24mo/60mo

Reasons for Medical Certificate Denial or Special Issuance...

  * Diabetes  mellitus  requiring  oral  hypoglycemic medication or insulin 
  * Angina pectoris 
  * Coronary heart disease that has been treated or, if untreated, that has been symptomatic or clinically significant 
  * Myocardial infarction 
  * Cardiac valve replacement 
  * Permanent cardiac pacemaker 
  * Heart replacement 
  * Psychosis 
  * Bipolar disorder  
  * Personality disorder that is severe enough to have repeatedly manifested itself by overt acts 
  * Substance dependence (including alcohol) 
  * Substance abuse 
  * Epilepsy 
  * Disturbance of consciousness and without satisfactory explanation of cause 
  * Transient loss of control of nervous system function(s) without satisfactory explanation of cause 

BasicMED (Part 68)...Limited to 6,000 lbs GW, 6 Pax Seats, <250 KIAS, <18,000 FT MSL, inside the US.

Pilots operating under BasicMED must have the medical checklist & certificate of course completion available when flying.

===== Spatial Disorientation, Motion Sickness and Inflight Illusions =====

See: [[topics:spatial_disorientation_illusions|Spatial Disorientation and Illusions]]

===== Physiological Aspects of Night Flight =====

==== Night Vision Blind Spots ====

Rods are 10,000 more sensitive to light than cones.

Must look 5 degrees off center to see an object at night (

==== Dark Adaptation ====

The  rods  can  take  approximately  30 minutes to fully adapt to darkness. (PHAK Ch 17)

Exposure to bright light can reset dark adaptation.

==== Stress At Night ====

Night flight can be more fatiguing and stressful than day flight, and many self- imposed stressors can limit night vision.

==== Drugs ====

Effects of drugs & alcohol are worse at night.

==== Fatigue/Exhaustion ====

Pilots who become fatigued during a night flight will not be mentally alert and will respond more slowly to situations requiring  immediate  action.  Exhausted  pilots  tend  to concentrate on one aspect of a situation without considering the total requirement.

**Insufficient consumption of vitamin A may also impair night vision** 

===== Hypoxia, Hyperventilation, and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning =====

See [[topics:hypoxia_hyperventilation_co]]

===== Oxygen Requirements =====

See [[topics:oxygen_requirements]]

===== Decompression Sickness =====

Decompression  sickness  (DCS)  describes  a  condition 
characterized  by  a  variety  of  symptoms  resulting  from 
exposure to low barometric pressures that cause inert gases 
(mainly nitrogen), normally dissolved in body fluids and 
tissues, to come out of physical solution and form bubbles. 
Nitrogen is an inert gas normally stored throughout the 
human body (tissues and fluids) in physical solution. (PHAK Ch 17)

==== How to Deal with Decompression Sickness ====

  * Put  on  oxygen  mask  immediately  and  switch  the regulator to 100 percent oxygen.
  * Begin an emergency descent as soon as possible.  Even  if  the  symptoms  disappear  during descent,  land  and  seek  medical  evaluation  while continuing to breathe oxygen.
  * If one of the symptoms is joint pain, keep the affected area still; do not try to work pain out by moving the joint around.
  * Upon landing, seek medical assistance from an FAA medical officer, AME, military flight surgeon, or a hyperbaric medicine specialist. Be aware that a physician not specialized in aviation or hypobaric medicine may not be familiar with this type of medical problem.
  * Definitive medical treatment may involve the use of a hyperbaric chamber operated by specially-trained personnel.
  * Delayed signs and symptoms of altitude-induced DCS can occur after return to ground level regardless of
  * presence during flight.

==== Flying after Scuba Diving ====

The  recommended  waiting  time  before  going  to  flight altitudes of up to 8,000 feet is at least **12 hours** after diving that does not require controlled ascent (non-decompression stop diving), and at least **24 hours** after diving that does require controlled ascent (decompression stop diving). The waiting time before going to flight altitudes **above 8,000 feet should be at least 24 hours** after any scuba dive.

===== Middle Ear and Sinus Problems =====

During a climb, middle ear air pressure may exceed the pressure of the air in the external ear canal causing the eardrum  to bulge outward.  Pilots  become aware of this pressure change when they experience alternate sensations of fullness or clearing. Resolve by holding your nose and blowing.

"Sinus  block”  occurs  most frequently during descent. Slow descent rates can reduce the associated pain. A sinus block can occur in the frontal sinuses, located above each eyebrow, or in the maxillary sinuses, located in each upper cheek. It usually produces excruciating pain over the sinus area.

Do not fly with upper respiratory infections or sinus infections to avoid Sinus Block.

===== Stress, Fatigue, and Dehydration =====

Stress is the body’s response to physical and psychological demands placed upon it.

Stress falls into two broad categories: acute (short term) and chronic (long term).

Examples of stressors include **physical stress** (noise or vibration), **physiological stress** (fatigue), and 
**psychological stress** (difficult work or personal situations).


===== Drugs, Alcohol and Medication =====

==== Drugs ====

**61.53** prohibits acting as pilot-in-command or in any other capacity as a required pilot flight crewmember, while that person: 

  - Knows or has reason to know of any medical condition that  would  make  the  person  unable  to  meet  the requirement for the medical certificate necessary for the pilot operation, or 
  - Is taking medication or receiving other treatment for a medical condition that results in the person being unable  to  meet  the  requirements  for  the  medical certificate necessary for the pilot operation. 

**91.17** prohibits the use of **any drug that affects the person’s faculties in any way contrary to safety**. 

Some of the most commonly used OTC drugs, antihistamines 
and decongestants, have the potential to cause noticeable 
adverse side effects, including drowsiness and cognitive 
deficits. (PHAK Ch. 17)

Many medications, such as tranquilizers, sedatives, strong 
pain  relievers,  and  cough  suppressants,  have  primary 
effects  that  may  impair  judgment,  memory,  alertness, 
coordination, vision, and the ability to make calculations. (PHAK Ch. 17)

Tylenol, asprin, ibprofin generally have no serious consequences.

Flying is almost always precluded while using prescription analgesics, such as drugs containing propoxyphene (e.g., Darvon), oxycodone (e.g., Percodan), meperidine (e.g., Demerol), and codeine, since these drugs are known to cause side effects, such as mental confusion, dizziness, headaches, nausea, and vision problems. (PHAK Ch 17)

==== Alcohol ====

Alcohol is a sedative and its use impairs both coordination and judgment. As a result, pilots who are impaired by alcohol fail to apply the proper techniques of night vision. They are likely to stare at objects and to neglect scanning techniques. The amount of alcohol consumed determines the degree to which night vision is affected. The effects of alcohol are long lasting and the residual effects of alcohol can also impair visual scanning efficiency. (PHAK Ch 17)

===== Decision Making and Judgment =====

{{ :courses:207a:accidentstats.jpg?nolink&200 |}}

[[courses:201b:ground:adm|AF 201B Unit 24 Orientation Lesson 9 - ADM]]
===== Hazardous Attitudes =====

See [[courses:201b:ground:adm|AF 201B Unit 24 Orientation Lesson 9 - ADM]]
Evan's CFI Notebook

User Tools

Site Tools

Page Tools
