Aeromedical Factors and Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM)

Who is responsible for determining whether a pilot is fit to fly for a particular flight, even though he or she holds a current medical certificate?

A number of factors, from lack of sleep to illness, can reduce a pilot's fitness to make a particular flight. It is the responsibility of the pilot to determine whether (s)he is fit to make a particular flight, even though (s)he holds a current medical certificate. Additionally, 14 CFR 61.53 prohibits a pilot who possesses a current medical certificate from acting as pilot in command, or in any other capacity as a required pilot flight crewmember, while the pilot has a known medical condition or an aggravation of a known medical condition that would make the pilot unable to meet the standards for a medical certificate.

A state of temporary confusion resulting from misleading information being sent to the brain by various sensory organs is defined as

A state of temporary confusion resulting from misleading information being sent to the brain by various sensory organs is defined as vertigo (spatial disorientation). Put simply, the pilot cannot determine his or her relationship to the earth's horizon.

A pilot experiencing the effects of hyperventilation should be able to restore the proper carbon dioxide level in the body by

A stressful situation can often lead to hyperventilation, which results from an increased rate and depth of respiration that leads to an abnormally low amount of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream. By slowing the breathing rate, breathing into a paper bag, or talking aloud, a pilot can overcome the effects of hyperventilation and return the carbon dioxide level in the bloodstream to normal.

What effect does haze have on the ability to see traffic or terrain features during flight?

Atmospheric haze can create the illusion of being at a greater distance and height from traffic or terrain than you actually are. The pilot who does not recognize this illusion will fly a lower approach.

Susceptibility to carbon monoxide poisoning increases as

Carbon monoxide poisoning results in an oxygen deficiency. Since there is less oxygen available at higher altitudes, carbon monoxide poisoning can occur with lesser amounts of carbon monoxide as altitude increases.

Large accumulations of carbon monoxide in the human body result in

Carbon monoxide reduces the ability of the blood to carry oxygen. Large accumulations result in loss of muscular power.

What often leads to spatial disorientation or collision with ground/obstacles when flying under Visual Flight Rules (VFR)?

Continuing VFR flight into instrument conditions often leads to spatial disorientation or collision with ground/obstacles due to the loss of outside visual references. It is even more dangerous if the pilot is not instrument qualified or current.

Which technique should a pilot use to scan for traffic to the right and left during straight-and-level flight?

Due to the fact that eyes can focus only on a narrow viewing area, effective scanning is accomplished with a series of short, regularly spaced eye movements that bring successive areas of the sky into the central visual field.

Effects of carbon monoxide poisoning include

Effects of CO poisoning include headache, blurred vision, dizziness, drowsiness, and loss of muscle control.

In the aeronautical decision making (ADM) process, what is the first step in neutralizing a hazardous attitude?

Hazardous attitudes, which contribute to poor pilot judgment, can be effectively counteracted by redirecting that hazardous attitude so that appropriate action can be taken. Recognition of hazardous thoughts is the first step in neutralizing them in the ADM process.

Rapid or extra deep breathing while using oxygen can cause a condition known as

Hyperventilation occurs when an excessive amount of carbon dioxide is passed out of the body and too much oxygen is retained. This occurs when breathing rapidly and especially when using oxygen.

When a stressful situation is encountered in flight, an abnormal increase in the volume of air breathed in and out can cause a condition known as

Hyperventilation occurs when an excessive amount of carbon dioxide is passed out of the body and too much oxygen is retained. This occurs when breathing rapidly and especially when using oxygen.

Which would most likely result in hyperventilation?

Hyperventilation usually occurs when one becomes excited or undergoes stress, which results in an increase in one's rate of breathing.

Which statement best defines hypoxia?

Hypoxia is oxygen deficiency in the bloodstream and may cause lack of clear thinking, fatigue, euphoria and, shortly thereafter, unconsciousness.

What antidotal phrase can help reverse the hazardous attitude of impulsivity?

Impulsivity is the attitude of people who frequently feel the need to do something, anything, immediately. They do not stop to think about what they are about to do. They do not select the best alternative but instead do the first thing that comes to mind. They should recognize this attitude and state the antidote, "Not so fast. Think first," before taking action.

What is the one common factor which affects most preventable accidents?

Most preventable accidents, such as fuel starvation or exhaustion, VFR flight into IFR conditions leading to disorientation, and flight into known icing, have one common factor: human error. Pilots who are involved in accidents usually know what went wrong. In the interest of expediency, cost savings, or other often irrelevant factors, the wrong course of action (decision) was chosen.

The best method to use when looking for other traffic at night is to

Physiologically, the eyes are most effective at seeing objects off-center at night. Accordingly, pilots should scan slowly to permit off-center viewing.

What is the most effective way to use the eyes during night flight?

Physiologically, the eyes are most effective at seeing objects off-center at night. Accordingly, pilots should scan slowly to permit off-center viewing.

What preparation should a pilot make to adapt the eyes for night flying?

Prepare for night flying by letting your eyes adapt to darkness, including avoiding bright white light for at least 30 minutes prior to night flight.

Risk management, as part of the aeronautical decision making (ADM) process, relies on which features to reduce the risks associated with each flight?

Risk management is that part of the ADM process that relies on situational awareness, problem recognition, and good judgment to reduce risks associated with each flight.

What is it often called when a pilot pushes his or her capabilities and the aircraft's limits by trying to maintain visual contact with the terrain in low visibility and ceiling?

Scud running refers to a pilot pushing his or her capabilities and the aircraft's limits by trying to maintain visual contact with the terrain while flying with a low visibility or ceiling. Scud running is a dangerous (and often illegal) practice that may lead to a mishap. This dangerous tendency must be identified and eliminated.

A lack of orientation with regard to the position, attitude, or movement of the aircraft in space is defined as

Spatial disorientation is a state of temporary confusion resulting from misleading information being sent to the brain by various sensory organs. Thus, the pilot should ignore sensations of muscles and the inner ear and kinesthetic senses (those that sense motion), especially during flight in IMC when outside visual cues are taken away.

Pilots are more subject to spatial disorientation if

Spatial disorientation is a state of temporary confusion resulting from misleading information being sent to the brain by various sensory organs. Thus, the pilot should ignore sensations of muscles and the inner ear and kinesthetic senses (those that sense motion), especially during flight in IMC when outside visual cues are taken away.

Pilots are more subject to spatial disorientation if

Spatial disorientation is a state of temporary confusion resulting from misleading information being sent to the brain by various sensory organs. Thus, the pilot should ignore sensations of muscles and the inner ear and kinesthetic senses (those that sense motion).

What is a correct response if an exhaust leak were to be detected while in flight?

Taking corrective steps such as turning off the heater, opening air vents or windows, and using supplemental oxygen are the correct responses if a pilot smells gas fumes or otherwise detects increased amounts of CO.

What is the antidote when a pilot has the hazardous attitude of "Invulnerability"?

The antidote to counteract the attitude of invulnerability is thinking or saying, "It could happen to me."

If a pilot experiences spatial disorientation during flight in a restricted visibility condition, the best way to overcome the effect is to

The best way to overcome the effects of spatial disorientation is to rely entirely on the aircraft's instrument indications and not upon body sensations. Sight of the horizon also overrides inner ear sensations. Thus, in areas of poor visibility, especially, such bodily signals should be ignored.

Which of the following is a correct response to counteract the feelings of hypoxia in flight?

The correct response to counteract feelings of hypoxia is to lower altitude or use supplemental oxygen if the aircraft is so equipped.

Hazardous attitudes occur to every pilot to some degree at some time. What are some of these hazardous attitudes?

The five hazardous attitudes addressed in the ADM process are anti-authority, impulsivity, invulnerability, macho, and resignation.

Which is not a type of hypoxia?

There is no such thing as hypertoxic hypoxia. The four types of hypoxia are histotoxic, hypoxic, hyperemic, and stagnant hypoxia.

A pilot should be able to overcome the symptoms or avoid future occurrences of hyperventilation by

To recover from hyperventilation, the pilot should slow the breathing rate, breathe into a bag, or talk aloud.

The danger of spatial disorientation during flight in poor visual conditions may be reduced by

Various complex motions and forces and certain visual scenes encountered in flight can create illusions of motion and position. Spatial disorientation from these illusions can be prevented only by visual reference to reliable fixed points on the ground and horizon or to flight instruments.

What is the antidote when a pilot has a hazardous attitude, such as "Antiauthority"?

When you recognize a hazardous thought, you should correct it by stating the corresponding antidote. The antidote for the antiauthority ("Do not tell me!") hazardous attitude is "Follow the rules. They are usually right."

What is the antidote when a pilot has a hazardous attitude, such as "Impulsivity"?

When you recognize a hazardous thought, you should correct it by stating the corresponding antidote. The antidote for the impulsivity ("Do something quickly!") hazardous attitude is "Not so fast. Think first."

What is the antidote when a pilot has a hazardous attitude, such as "Macho"?

When you recognize a hazardous thought, you should correct it by stating the corresponding antidote. The antidote for the macho ("I can do it") hazardous attitude is "Taking chances is foolish."

What is the antidote when a pilot has a hazardous attitude, such as "Resignation"?

When you recognize a hazardous thought, you should correct it by stating the corresponding antidote. The antidote for the resignation ("What is the use?") hazardous attitude is "I am not helpless. I can make a difference."

What is one of the neglected items when a pilot relies on short and long-term memory for repetitive tasks?

neglect of checklists, flight planning, preflight inspections, etc., indicates a pilot's unjustified reliance on his or her short- and long-term memory for repetitive flying tasks.