FAA Private Pilot Oral Exam "Aeromedical Factors"

What are the types of hypoxia?

1. Hypoxic Hypoxia 2. Anemic Hypoxia 3. Stagnant Hypoxia 4. Histotoxic Hypoxia

What is a False Horizon?

A false horizon can be caused by city lights, sloping clouds, stars, and/or darkness. It induces the pilot to misinterpret where the horizon actually is, causing him or her to maneuver the aircraft into a dangerous attitude.

What is Inversion Illusion?

A quick change from a climb to level flight makes the pilot feel as though he or she is tumbling backwards. The natural tendency is to nose the aircraft over, which actually intensifies the illusion.

Explain hyperventilation?

"Over breathing" often caused by panic, best cure is breathing into a bag, talking to yourself, try to calm down. Shares same symptoms as hypoxia.

What is Autokinesis?

At night, when staring at a light for a long period of time it begins to "move." While flying at night pilots should not stare at stationary lights for long periods of time to avoid this sensation.

What is The Leans?

perceive straight and level flight when in actuality the plane will be in a banked turn.

What is a graveyard spiral?

While turning the airplane you notice you have lost altitude. Your sensory systems makes you feel as though you are in level flight so you pitch up. Although because you are actually in a turn, the abrupt pitching up tightens the turn and you lose even more altitude, increasing your rate of descent. Unless the pilot recognizes the error and corrects for it, the spiral will continue until the aircraft impacts the ground.

What are some symptoms of hypoxia?

Headache, Dizziness, Cyanosis (turning blue), Euphoria are some them.

Name the 8 types of spatial disorientation.

ICEFLAGS! Inversion Illusion, Coriolis Illusion, Elevator Illusion, False Horizon, Leans, Autokinesis, Graveyard spin/spiral, Somoatogravic

What is Hypoxia?

Lack of oxygen to the brain.

What is the elevator illusion?

On a turbulent day an updraft could cause extreme vertical acceleration the pilot mistakes for being in a climb. The pilot may correct for the mistaken impression of a climb by pitching the aircraft nose downward. This illusion also has the opposite effect with downdrafts.

What is the somatogravic illusion?

Rapid Acceleration or Deceleration. On takeoff, Rapid Acceleration pushes you back in your seat. Giving the sensation of nose up attitude, making you pitch down. Opposite for deceleration.

Explain a 1st class medical

Required for pilots who fly professionally as ATPs, lasts 12 months if under 40, 6 if over 40. The most extensive medical.

Explain a 2nd class medical

Required for pilots who hold and use a commercial license. Valid for 12 months under and over 40.

What is Spatial Disorientation?

The state of confusion where the pilot loses orientation to the horizon.

what is Coriolis Illusion?

caused by making a quick head movement during a constant rate turn that has ceased stimulating the inner ear.

Explain a 3rd class medical

Every pilot holding a private pilot cert. or better is required to have at least a third class medical, Valid for 60 calendar months if under 40 at time of exam, 24 months if over 40.

What is graveyard spin

Pilot enters spin and remains in the spin for several seconds. After rolling out of spin the pilot falsely perceives a roll in the opposite direction of the original spin. The pilot compensates by placing the aircraft into the same original spin.