Commercial Pilot Oral - Human Factors

3P Model vs. the DECIDE model

3P is a continuous loop of handling hazards DECIDE focuses on particular problems requiring resolution. Activated by the 3P process.

Impulsivity

"Do it quickly" Think first, not so fast

Anti-Authority

"Don't tell me!" Follow the rules

Macho

"I can do it" Taking chances is foolish

Invulnerability

"It won't happen to me" It could happen to anyone

Resignation

"What's the use?" I can make a difference; I am not helpless

How can a "personal minimums" checklist help the pilot mitigate risk

Difference between legal and smart Makes go/no-go decisions far clearer than situations wherein the pilot thinks they could "maybe" go or "probably" make it The personal minimums are based on a pilot's recent experience, proficiency, and comfort level Can be applied to PAVE and IMSAFE checklist

Discuss the effects of nitrogen excesses from scuba diving upon a pilot or passenger in flight.

Excess nitrogen in the blood can cause decompression sickness due to evolved gas coming from low altitude. Up to 8,000 feet: 12 hours after a dive that did not require a controlled descent, 24 that did Flight altitudes above 8,000 feet: 24 hours Above mean sea level, not pressurized cabin altitudes

How does carbon monoxide poisoning occur, and what symptoms should a pilot be alert for?

Exhaust fumes escaping through cracks in the manifold. Symptoms include headache, drowsiness, or dizziness while using the heater, or smell of exhaust

Factors that reduce SA

Fatigue, distractions, unexpected events, complacency, high workload, inoperative equipment

The Five P's Checklist

Five variables that impact a pilot's environment that can cause he or she to make a critical decision Plan - weather, route, publications, ATC reroutes/delays, fuel on board/required Plane - mechanical status, automation status, database currency, backup systems Pilot - IMSAFE Passengers - pilots/nonpilots, nervous or quiet, experienced or new, business or pleasure Programming - autopilot, GPS, MFD/PFD, anticipate likely reroutes/clearances

Situational Awareness

Accurate perception and understanding of all factors within the PAVE checklist that affect safety

Risk factors that help identify possible CFIT accidents

Airport location, runway lighting, weather, approach specifications, ATC capabilities, type of operation, crew configuration, departure procedures, controller/pilot phraseology

When flying Technically Advanced Aircraft, what are some ways to ensure SA is enhanced, not reduced, by the automation?

Always check the system to make sure the presentation makes sense Verbal callouts Check flight routing Verify waypoints Make use of ALL on board navigation equipment Stay within personal limitations Plan a realistic flight

What is the most important aspect of managing Autopilot/FMS

Always knowing which modes are engaged, which modes are armed, and being capable of verifying that an armed function engages at the right time

What is hypoxia?

An oxygen deficiency in the body that is sufficient enough to impair functions of the brain and other organs.

Five Hazardous Attitudes

Anti-authority, Impulsivity, Invulnerability, Macho, Resignation

When is the five P's checklist recommended?

At critical, busy situations in flight, such as pre-takeoff, hourly or at midpoint, pre-descent, and just prior to entering the traffic pattern

When does hypoxia usually occur?

Between 12,000 and 15,000 feet, judgment, memory, alertness, coordination, and ability to make calculations are impaired. Headache, drowsiness, dizziness, and either a sense of well-being or belligerence. (Below 5,000 feet, night vision is impaired)

Hypemic Hypoxia

Blood cannot absorb sufficient amount of oxygen, often due to CO2 poisoning

A pilot with advanced avionics must know how to manage what three primary items?

CDI, navigation source, autopilot

What makes a pilot more susceptible to hypoxia?

Carbon monoxide inhalation, anemia (hemoglobin deficiency), certain medications, small amounts of alcohol (Extreme heat/cold, fever, or anxiety, which increase one's demand for oxygen).

Histotoxic Hypoxia

Cells will not absorb oxygen due to toxins, such as drugs or alcohol

What are the possible effects of cold-medication during flight?

Changes in concentrations of atmospheric gases in the blood can enhance the effects of seemingly innocuous drugs and result in impaired judgment, decision-making, and performance

What are "immediate action" items

Checklist items that must be memorized because they are time-critical

What is carbon monoxide poisoning?

Colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas contained in exhaust fumes. Reduces the ability of the blood to carry oxygen (hypemic hypoxia occurs).

What is "ear block?"

Congestion from nasal or respiratory sickness can block the Eustachian tube and prevent pressure equalization between the middle ear and aircraft cabin. Thus, pressure differences only increase, which holds the Eustachian tube closed. Severe pain and loss of hearing for several hours to several days

CARE Checklist

Consequences Alternatives Reality External pressures

how can hyperventilation be brought under control

Controlled breathing in and out of a paper bag held over the nose and mouth

What causes spatial disorientation?

Visual - eyes Vestibular - motion sensing in inner ear Postural - nerves on skin, joints, and muscle The forces of flight can provide misleading information resulting in disorientation

What are some elements INSIDE the aircraft that the pilot must consider to maintain SA?

status of the aircraft systems, pilot, passengers

How is ear block prevented?

Yawning, swallowing, tensing throat muscles, or blowing through a squeezed nose with a closed mouth. Don't fly with nasal or respiratory sickness.

What is the "Sterile cockpit rule" and how can adherence to this rule prevent CFIT accidents?

Flight crewmembers, by regulation, must refrain from nonessential activities during critical phases of flight (eating, chatting, reading a newspaper) Critical phases are ground operations involving taxi, takeoff and landing, everything below 10,000 feet except cruise

Risk

Future impact of a hazard that is not dealt with

IMSAFE checklist

Illness Medication Stress Alcohol Fatigue Emotion/Eating

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

Immediately shut off the heater and open all air vents. Seek medical treatment if symptoms persist after landing.

What is hyperventilation?

Increased volume of air breathed in and out, sometimes due to stressful cockpit situations. Breathing becomes uncontrolled due to a lack of CO2

Hypoxic Hypoxia?

Insufficient oxygen available to the lungs, usually due to high altitudes where the air is thin

What are several examples of common errors that can occur when using a checklist?

Items missed due to distractions Items incorrectly performed Failure to use appropriate checklist Too much time spent focusing on the checklist Checklist not readily accessible Emergency procedures not available Memory items accomplished but not confirmed on paper

In what three areas must the pilot be proficient when using advanced avionics or any automated system?

Know what to expect, how to monitor, and be prepared to take corrective action if there are glitches

What is spatial disorientation?

Lack of orientation with regard to position of the aircraft and of oneself in relation to a specific reference point.

Factors that contribute to controlled flight into terrain

Lack of pilot currency Loss of SA Distractions and breakdown of Single Resource Management/ADM Failure to comply with minimum safe altitudes Insufficient planning

What symptoms can a pilot expect from hyperventilation?

Lightheadedness, suffocation, drowsiness, tingling in the fingertips and toes, and a feeling of coolness. (These can cause the pilot to stress even more, compounding the problem to the point of uncoordination, spatial disorientation, and muslce spasms).

Techniques to avoid CFIT

Maintain SA at all times Familiarize yourself with surrounding terrain Adhere to published routes and altitudes Fly a stabilized approach Understand ATC intstructions Don't become complacent

How can hypoxia be avoided?

Maintain a comfortable, safe cabin pressure altitude and supply supplemental oxygen when appropriate

Examples of Hazards

Nick in the prop Improper refueling Pilot fatigue Use of unapproved hardware Weather

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

No pilots performing crewmember duties within 8 hours, .04% or greater blood alcohol content 12 to 24 hours is wise, but not required

Are there any medications that can be safe to use while flying?

No. Any over-the-counter or prescription medication has the potential to degrade pilot performance, by degrading judgment, alertness, memory, coordination, vision, and the ability to make calculations. (Any medication affecting the nervous system can make a pilot more susceptible to hypoxia).

How can tasks be completed in a timely manner without causing distraction from flying?

Plan, prioritize, sequence

What are some standard callouts?

Power set, airspeed alive, rotate, positive rate - gear up, localizer alive, glideslope alive, approach mode armed, final approach fix, etc.

Definition of Aeronautical Decision Making

Systematic approach to the mental process used by aircraft pilots to consistently determine the best course of action in response to a given set of circumstances

Automation Management

The understanding of and APPROPRIATE use of automated systems of the aircraft in controlling and navigating an aircraft

DECIDE ADM model

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

Risk Management

Decision-making process in which a pilot identifies hazards, assesses risk, and determines a course of action. Potential costs of risks vs. possible benefits of leaving the situation alone

Two most common methods of checklist usage

Do-Verify (DV) Method - checklist is accomplished in a variable sequence without a concerning reason making it necessary (normal ops). Checklist is gone over and then read again at the end to verify its full completion Challenge-Do-Verify (CDV) Method - in response to a challenge.

Options a pilot can employ to avoid being overwhelmed

Easy tasks can be delegated to others, autopilot, ATC can provide assistance, always remember "aviate, navigate, communicate"

Factors that reduce a pilot's ability to manage a workload effectively

Environmental Conditions - temp/humidity extremes, noise, vibration, lack of oxygen Physiological Stress - fatigue, lack of physical fitness, sleep loss, missed meals, and illness Psychological Stress - social or emotional factors, family, stress related to mental workload, etc.

Hazard

Event, object, or circumstance that could lead to an undesirable event

What action must be taken if a pilot or passenger suffers from motion sickness?

Open air vents, loosen clothing, use supplemental oxygen, and keep the eyes on a point outside the airplane. Cancel the flight and land ASAP.

Stagnant Hypoxia

Oxygen in blood cannot be delivered to the cells/tissue/organs, usually due to pulling too many G's

3P Checklist

Perceive - identify possible hazards that could contribute to an undesirable event (PAVE checklist) Process - Ask questions to determine what can hurt you (CARE checklist). Perform - Change the situation in your favor; make sure the situation does not hurt you or others

PAVE Checklist

Pilot (recent experience, comfort level, physical condition) Aircraft (fuel, performance, equipment, legality) enVironment (Weather, airport conditions) External pressures Generally for flight planning

Explain what is meant by the term "automation bias" and discuss how it can increase risk

Placing too much trust in the automated systems

Single-pilot resource management

The managing of all the resources (both to on board aircraft and from outside sources) available to a single pilot (prior to and during the flight)to ensure the successful completion of the flight.

Task-management

The ability of a pilot to juggle multiple tasks concurrently safely

What is motion sickness?

The continued stimulation of the inner ear, which controls the pilot's sense of balance. 1. The desire for food is lost 2. Saliva collects in the mouth and intense perspiration occurs 3. Nausea, disorientation, headache, vomitting 4. Possible incapacitation

Methods to ensure proper checklist usage

Touch/point at each item in the cockpit on the list Verbally state the status of each item Verbally state the status of the whole checklist

What are some elements OUTSIDE the aircraft that the pilot must consider to maintain SA?

awareness of where the aircraft is in relation to terrain, traffic, weather, airspace