Private pilot human factors

A majority of CFIT accidents have been attributed to what?

-lack of pilot currency - loss of situational awareness - pilot distractions -fail to fly min. safe altitudes - breakdown in Aeronautical Decision Making - bad planning

What symptoms can a pilot experience with hyperventilating

-light headedness -suffocation -drowsiness -tingling int he extremeties -coolness Incapacitation can eventually result from uncoordination, disorientation, and painful muscle spasm then finally unconciousness can occur

What are some ways how to avoid a CFIT accident

-maintain situational awareness - follow departure and arrival procedures - familiarize yourself with all terrain features - follow and adhere to published routes - fly stable approaches - understand atc clearance and instructions - dont get complacent

What action should be taken if a pilot experiences motion sickness

-open air vents -use supplemental oxygen -keep eyes ona fixed object in front of the aircraft - land asap - terminate any other head movements

What action should be taken if a pilot suspects carbon monoxide poisoning

-shut off the heater -open all air vents -if conditions continue seek medical attention

Other ways to cope and prevent spatial disorientation

1.Understand the causes of these illusions and remain constantly alert for them. 2. Always obtain and understand preflight weather briefings. 3. Before flying in marginal visibility (less than 3 miles) or where a visible horizon is not evident, such as flight over open water during the night, obtain training and maintain proficiency in aircraft control by reference to instruments. 4. Do not fly into adverse weather conditions or into dusk or darkness unless proficient in the use of flight instruments. If intending to fly at night, maintain night-flight currency and proficiency. Include crosscountry and local operations at various airfields 5. Ensure that when outside visual references are used, they are reliable, fixed points on the Earth's surface. 6. Avoid sudden head movement, particularly during takeoffs, turns, and approaches to landing. 7. Be physically tuned for flight into reduced visibility. . Remember that illness, medication, alcohol, fatigue, sleep loss, and mild hypoxia are likely to increase susceptibility to spatial disorientation. 8. Most importantly, become proficient in the use of flight instruments and rely upon them. Trust the instruments and disregard your sensory perceptions.

What are the supplemntal oxygen requirements

12,500 crew members must have supplemental oxygen for any flight more than 30 minutes anytime above 14000 ft crew members must have supplemntal oxygen above 15000 ft both crew and passengers are required to have supplemental oxygen

What is runway width illusion

A narrower-than-usual runway can create an illusion that the aircraft is at a higher altitude than it actually is

Discuss the effects of nitrogen excess during suba diving upon a pilot or passenger in flight?

A pilot or passenger who intends to fly after scuba diving should allow the body time to rid itself of excess nitrogen absorbed during diving, if not the gas can expand and cause pain.

What is the somatogravic illusion?

A rapid acceleration, such as experienced during takeoff, stimulates the otolith organs in the same way as tilting the head backwards or nose up attitude (occurs in poor visibility often)

What is Hypemic Hypoxia?

A result of oxygen deficiency in the blood,

Describe how the 3P model can be used for for practical risk management

A simple, practical, systematic approach that can be used during all phases of flight

Define Aeronautical Decision Making

A systematic approach to the thought process that piltos use to determine the best course of action.

What are the skills needed for single pilot resource management?

- Aeronautical decision making - Risk management - task management - automation management - Controlled flight into terrain awareness -situational awareness

What is Featureless Terrain Illusion

- An absence of surrounding ground features, as in an overwater approach over darkened areas or terrain made featureless by snow, can create an illusion that the aircraft is at a higher altitude than it actually is

What is Runway and terrain slopes illusion

- An upsloping runway, upsloping terrain, or both can create an illusion that the aircraft is at a higher altitude than it actually is

Pilots can lower the risk of CFIT accidents by:

- looking at airport location - see if runway lighting is available - check the weather conditions during the day -look at and plan the kinds of approaches - Look at the ATC capabilities and limitations - be aware of the type of operations - be aware of the departure procedures - have proper phraseology - make sure everyone is set and knows the plan prior to the flight

what are the symptoms of motion sickness

- loss of appetite - saliva collection in the mouth -prespiration - nausea -disorientation -headaches - vomitting

What are examples of hazards in aviation?

- nick in prop blade - improper refuleing of an aircraft - pilot fatigue - use of unapproaved hardware on aircraft - weather

What action can be taken to prevent ear block from occurring in flight?

- swallowing, yawning, tensing the muscles in the throat - pinching the nose and close the mouth and blowing through nostrils

Symptoms of Hypoxia

-Cyanosis (blue fingernails and lips) -Headache - Decreased response to stimuli and increased reaction time - Impaired judgment -Euphoria - Visual impairment -Drowsiness -Lightheaded or dizzy sensation -Tingling in fingers and toes -Numbness

What to do if your flying in mountainous areas

-Find your outs -fly safe min altitudes - plan your escape routes - have alternates located in the area -flight brief on the ground prior to flight

kinds of hypoxia

-Hypoxic hypoxia -Hypemic hypoxia -Stagnant hypoxia -Histotoxic hypoxia

What three integrated systems that work together to ascertain orientation and movement in space? (spatial disorientation)

-Vestibular system— inner ear that sense position by the way we are balanced -Somatosensory system—nerves in the skin, muscles, and joints that, along with hearing, sense position based on gravity, feeling, and sound -Visual system—eyes, which sense position based on what is seen

What is dehydration and heat stroke?

Dehydration is the term given to a critical loss of water from the body. Causes of dehydration are hot flight decks and flight lines, wind, humidity, and diuretic drinks—coffee, tea, alcohol, and caffeinated soft drinks. Some common signs of dehydration are headache, fatigue, cramps, sleepiness, and dizziness. Heat stroke is a condition caused by any inability of the body to control its temperature.

What are some visual illusions

False Horizon-inaccurate visual information, or "false horizon," when attempting to align the aircraft with the actual horizon Autokinesis- the pilot flying in the dark trying to align him/herself with it potentially leading to loss of control

What are several factors that reduce situational awareness?

Fatigue distractions unusual or unexpected events complacency high workload unfamiliar situations inoperative equipment

what is Reversible Perspective Illusion

Aircraft appears to be going away when it is actually getting closer at night.

what is Inversion illusion

An abrupt change from climb to straight-and-level flight can stimulate the otolith organs enough to create the illusion of tumbling backwards

What are immediate action items?

An action that must be accomplished so quickly that time is not available for the pilot or crew member to refer to a manual or checklist.

Name the five hazardous attitudes that can affect a pilots ability to make sound decisions and properly exercise authority

Anti-Authority- follow the rules- they're usally right Macho- taking chances is foolish Impulsivity- take your time, think first Invulnerability- taking chances is foolish Resignation- I can make a difference, im not helpless

Scenario: You recently experience a bad cold and were treated by your personal physician. You continue to take medicatiosn your physicial prescribed, but feel much better. Can you resume flying on your current medical or must you see an FAA Airman medical Examiner?

Anytime you feel sick, you must self ground yourself per 61.53 or if you feel that your illness or medication will affect flying performance. Your allowed to see an AME for the condition you have and also to be allowed to take certain OTC medications. 61.53 states pilots must ground themselves when: a. pilot knows that medical condition will hinder their performance b. taking medication in which will not allow you to meet the requirements for your medical

What issues referring to illusions can haze cause

Atmospheric haze can create an illusion of being at a greater distance and height from the runway.As a result, the pilot has a tendency to be low on the approach.

What factors can make a pilot more succeptible to hypoxia?

Carbon monoxide, lowered hemoglobin (Anemia), and certain medications can reduce the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Small ammounts of alcohol and low doses of certain drugs. Extreme heat and cold, fever, and axiety can increase the body's demand for oxygen., along with altitude.

How to prevent chronic fatigue

Chronic fatigue is not relieved by proper diet and adequate rest and sleep and usually requires treatment by a physician. -may experience this condition in the form of weakness, tiredness, palpitations of the heart, breathlessness, headaches, or irritability. Sometimes chronic fatigue even creates stomach or intestinal problems and generalized aches and pains throughout the body. When the condition becomes serious enough, it leads to emotional illness.

How to avoid acute and chronic fatigue?

Chronic fatigue, you must see a physician; acute fatigue, you must have adequate rest and a well balanced diet. Pilots are reccommended not to fly when have worked long hours, lack of rest, or a stressful day.

What is CFIT?

Controlled Flight Into Terrain

how does hypemic hypoxia occur

due to sickle cell anaemia, which doesn't have a cure, or due to CO poisoning

When do optical illusions occur

during transition from instruments to outside the aircraft, weather, terrain features.

how can a pilot avoid hypoxia?

enriching the inspired air with oxygen from an appropiate oxygen system.

Where does hypoxia normally occur?

from 12000-15000 feet and continues to get worse the higher you go

What is carbon monoxide poisoning?

gas given off from a vehicle's exhaust system; when inhaled reduce blood to carry oxygen

How to prevent Spatial Disorientation

if one has trained for a long time in instrument it shouldn't be a problem, but if one hasnt its best to not fly in reduced visbility conditions.

Spaitial disorientation

inability of a person to determine his true body position

What is hyperventilation?

increased breathing rate which resulting in decreased carbon dioxide levels and increased oxygen in the body.

What are some elements inside and outside the aircraft that a pilot must consider to maintain situational awareness?

inside: status of aircraft systems, pilot, and passengers outside- awareness of where the aircraft is in relation to terrain, traffic, weather and airspace

What is hypoxic hypoxia?

insufficient oxygen available to the body as a whole.

what is spatial disorientation

lack of orientation with regard to the position, attitude, or movement of the airplane in space

what are optical illusions

misinterpretation of a visual stimulus

what is Coriolis illusion

occurs when a pilot has been in a turn long enough for the fluid in the ear canal to move at the same speed as the canal

What is stagnant hypoxia?

oxygen-rich blood in the lungs is not moving to the tissues that need it

What form of disoriention occurs in IMC conditions

Visual disorientation.

How to prevent acute fatigue

proper diet and adequate rest and sleep.

What regulations apply and what common sense should prevail concerning the use of alcohol

regulations prohibts consumption of alcohol 8 hrs within and prior to a flight. It is best reccommended 12-24hrs bottle to throttle due to slow destruction of alcohol in the bloodstream

What does the somatosensory system do

sends signals from the skin, joints, and muscles to the brain that are interpreted in relation to the Earth's gravitational pull.

What does the vestibular system do?

sense movement and determine orientation in the surrounding environment;

Define situational awareness

the ability to identify, process, and comprehend whats going on around you and yourself. Being aware of the situation.

What is stress?

the body's response to physical and psychological demands placed upon it.

What is ear block?

When the difference in pressure between the middle ear and aircraft cabin can hold the eustashian tube closed making it imposible to equalize the pressures of your ears. -expansion of the middle ear during a climb, pushes the Eustashian tube open. - air escapes to nasal passages and equalizes in pressure with cabin pressure - during descent, pilot must periodically open the Eustashian tube - colds, sore throats can make the equalization of pressure difficult - produces ear pain and loss of hearing for hours to days

Why does stagnant hypoxia occur?

When theres lack of mobility i. the blood, like when your pulling excessive Gs

What happens when visual contact with the horizion is lost

When visual contact with the horizon is lost, the vestibular system becomes unreliable.

What is carbon monoxide?

a colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas contained in exhaust fumes

explain grave yard spiral

a pilot in a prolonged coordinated, constant-rate turn may experience the illusion of not turning

Definition of Hazard

a present condition, event, object, or circumstance that could lead to or contribute to an unplanned or undesireabel event as an accidnet

why in the leans illusion can the turn go unnoticed

a turn of 2 degrees per second or lower is below the detection threshold of the semicircular canals in which the pilot won't notice

How to recover from hypemic hypoxia?

there is no cure, but increase oxygen by opening vents and adding supplemental oxygen

What is size distanced illusion

viewing a source of light that is increasing or decreasing in luminance (brightness)

What is the 5 P checklist? define

Five variables that impact the pilots environment and cause the pilot to make a single critical decision, or several less critical decisions, that give you a critical outcome The five P's are -Plan- weather, route, publications, ATC re-routes/delays, fuel on board remaining -Plane- mech. status, automation status, backup systems, and database currency -Pilot- IMSAFE(illness, medication, stress, alc, fatigue, eating) -Passengers- pilots/non-pilots, nervous or quiet, experienced or new, buisness or pleasure -Programming- GPS, auto pilot, MFD/PFD; anticipate likely re-routes/clearances;

What are the reccommended flight altitudes for one who has gone scuba diving?

Flight altitudes up to 8000ft - wait at least 12 hrs after diving which has not required a controlled ascent - wait 24 hrs after diving which required a controlled ascent flight altitudes above 8000ft - wait 24 hrs after any scuba dive

What kinds of illusions can fog cause

Flying into fog can create an illusion of pitching up. Pilots who do not recognize this illusion often steepen the approach abruptly.

What is the IMSAFE checklist?

Illness Medication Stress Alcohol Fatigue Eating

what is Leans turning illusion

Leveling the wings after sudden return to level flight following a gradual and prolonged turn that went unnoticed may cause an illusion that the aircraft is banking in the opposite direction

What are the issues with ground lighting illusions

Lights along a straight path, such as a road or lights on moving trains, can be mistaken for runway and approach lights. Bright runway and approach lighting systems, especially where few lights illuminate the surrounding terrain, may create the illusion of less distance to the runway. The pilot who does

Define the term "single-pilot resource management."

Managing all the resources available to a single pilot to ensure the sucessful outcome of the flight.

What is fatigue?

Mental/physical tiredness

What other issues can one experience with acute fatigue

Mild hypoxia (oxygen deficiency) -Physical stress - Psychological stress - Depletion of physical energy resulting from psychological stress - Sustained psychological stress

Can you operate an aircraft while taking an over the counter medication for an on going condition?

No, take no medication unless advised from the AME

Fascination/ Fixation in flying

Occurs when aircrew members ignore orientation cues and focus their attention on their object or goal Fixation:commonly referred to as target hypnosis, occurs when an aircrew member ignores orientation cues and focuses their attention outside the aircraft. Fascination: Crew members may become so engrossed with a task inside the aircraft. that they fail to properly scan outside

For a pilot taking over the counter medications, how do various environmental factors the pilot is exposed to in flight affect the drugs physiological impact on the pilot?

changes in concentrations of atmospheric gasses in the blood can enhance the effects of drugs and result in impaired judgement, decision making, and performance

What is the cause of motion sickness

continued stimulation of the inner ear(vesitibulular system), which controls the sense of balance.

What is hypoxia?

deficiency of oxygen in the body

How do you recover from hypoxic hypoxia

descend to a lower altitude

Define risk management

RM is a decision-making process used to systematically evaluate possible courses of action, identify risks, benefits, and determine the best course of action for any given situation.

explain water refraction

Rain on the windscreen can create an illusion of being at a higher altitude due to the horizon appearing lower than it is

What regulations apply and what common sense should prevail concerning the use of drugs and medication?

Regs prohibit pilots from performing crew member duties, while using any medications that affects one in any way contrary to safety

What are some of the basic kinds of optical illusions

Runway width illusion Runway and Terrain Slopes Illusion Featureless Terrain Illusion Water Refraction- Haze Fog Ground Lighting Illusions

What are some vestibular illusions

SLICEG S- somatogravic L- Leans turning illusion I- Inversion C-Coriolis E-elevator G- Graveyard Spiral

What is the special kind of acute fatigue called and its two performanec effects

Skill fatigue Timing disruption—appearing to perform a task as usual, but the timing of each component is slightly off and Disruption of the perceptual field—concentrating attention upon movements or objects in the center of vision and neglecting those in the periphery

How to recover from stagnant hypoxia?

Stop the manuever and resume level flight

What are several options that a pilot can employ to decrease workload and avoid becoming ?

Stop, think, slow down, prioritize

How does carbon monoxide poison occur and what symptoms can a pilot be alert for?

This occurs from the use of heaters. Heaters use heat from the exhaust and the fumes escape through cracks and seals that then is inhaled. A pilot who detects Carbon monoxide, detects the odor of the exhaust, or symptoms such as headaches, drowsiness, or dizziness while using the heater.

Define the DECIDE model

D- detect a change needing attention E- Estimate tje need to counter or react to a change C-Choose the most desireable outcome for the flight I-Identify actions to successfully control change D-Do something to adapt tp the change E-Evaluate the effect of the action countering the change

What are two common methods of checklist usage?

Do-Verify: allows the pilot/flight crew to use flow patterns from memory to complete actions quickly and efficiently, then verify them afterwards without any challenges Challenge-Do-Verify: pilot or crew making a challenge before an action is initiated, taking the action, and then verifying that the action has been complete.

How to recover from histotoxic hypoxia?

Don't do drugs or meds before a flight

Why does histotoxic hypoxia occur?

Drugs and alcohol and cyanide cause histoxic hypoxia

What are several factors that can reduce a pilots ability to manage workload effectively?

Environmental condition- temperature and humidity extremes, vibration, and lack of oxygen Physiological stress-fatigue, lack of physical fitness, sleep loss, missed meals psychological stress- social or emotional factors such as death in the family or breakups, can affect decision making

What is histotoxic hypoxia?

The inability of the cells to effectively use oxygen.

What are the 3P's?

Percieve- the hazards for a flight, think through the circumstances related to the PAVE checklist. Process- the hazards by evaluating their impact on flight safety, think through the consequences of each hazard, alternatives available. perform- by implementing the best course of action. Transfer, Eliminate, Accept, Mitigate

What do each acronym mean in PAVE

Pilot in command- gneral health, physical/mental/emotional state, proficiency, currency Aircraft- airworthiness, equipment, performance capability Environment- weather hazards, terrain, airports and runways to be used, conditions External pressures- meetings, people waiting at destination, desire to impress someone

Why does hypoxic hypoxia occur?

The envrionment in which your in (high altitude)

Definition of Risk

The future impact of a hazard that is not controlled or eliminated

What are the reccommendations for supplemnetal oxygen

above 10000 it is reccommended durignthe day and at night 5000

explain what elevator illusion is

abrupt upward vertical acceleration, as can occur in an updraft, can stimulate the otolith organs to create the illusion of being in a climb

Two kinds of stress

acute (short term) and chronic (long term). Acute stress involves an immediate threat that is perceived as danger. Chronic stress is a level of stress that presents an intolerable burden, exceeds the ability of an individual to cope.

two kinds of fatigues

acute and chronic Acute is short term, normal day to day ting Chronic is extending over a long period of time, usually has psychological roots, although an underlying disease is sometimes responsible.

Why at night is there a reccomendation for supplemental oxygen?

at 5000 feet, deterioration of night vision occurs at this altitude.