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Aeromedical Factors - QT

Updated: Apr 19, 2021

Lesson Quicktakes cover the items that should be memorized from each of the wifiCFI Lessons. They do not cover all of the lesson details in-depth.


MEDICAL CERTIFICATES

  • First Class:

  • Privileges = Exercise ATP Certificate.

  • Durations = 6 Calendar Months if over 40 years old. 12 Calendar Months if under 40 years old.

  • Second Class:

  • Privileges = Exercise Commercial Certificate.

  • Durations = 12 Calendar Months regardless of age.

  • Third Class:

  • Privileges = All other operations.

  • Durations = 24 Calendar Months if over 40 years old. 60 Calendar Months if under 40 years old.


HYPOXIA

Not enough oxygen.

  • Hypoxic Hypoxia = Not enough oxygen in the environment (high altitudes).

  • Hypemic Hypoxia = Oxygen cannot attach to blood cells (CO poisoning).

  • Stagnant Hypoxia = Blood not flowing (G-Forces).

  • Histotoxic Hypoxia = Brain rejects oxygen molecules (drugs and alcohol).


Symptoms of Hypoxia:

  • Cyanosis (blue fingernails and lips).

  • Headache.

  • Decreased Response times.

  • Impaired Judgement.

  • Euphoria.

  • Visual Impairment.

  • Drowsiness.

  • Dizzy Sensations.

  • Numbness.

  • Tingling in Fingers and Toes.


Hypoxia Corrective Actions:

  • Descend.

  • Put on an Oxygen Mask.

  • Stop pulling G-Forces.


HYPERVENTILATION

Too much oxygen. Not enough carbon dioxide.


MIDDLE EAR AND SINUS CONGESTION

  • Traps air pressure in sinuses.

  • Ease of pain in the climb.

  • Increased pain during descent.


VESTIBULAR ILLUSIONS

  • The Leans = Feeling as if you are in a turn.

  • Coriolis Illusion = Rapid head movement in a turn.

  • Graveyard Spiral = Extended condition of the Leans.

  • Somatogravic Illusion = Acceleration/Deceleration feels like climbing or descending.

  • Inversion Illusion = Rapid level off from steep climb feels like tumbling backward.

  • Elevator Illusion = Updrafts/Downdrafts feel like nose high/nose low attitudes.


VISUAL ILLUSIONS

  • False Horizon = Lights obscure the horizon.

  • Autokinesis = Stationary lights appear moving.

  • Runway Width = Wide runways make pilots feel low. Narrow runways make pilots feel high.

  • Runway Slope = Upsloping runways make pilots feel high. Downsloping runways make pilots feel low.

  • Featureless Terrain = Makes pilots feel high.

  • Haze = Makes pilots feel high.

  • Fog = Can create the illusion of pitching up.


MOTION SICKNESS

Brain receiving conflicting messages about the state of the body.


CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) POISONING:

  • Colorless and Odorless.

  • Attaches to blood cells 200X faster than Oxygen.

  • Aircraft Cabin Heater.


Symptoms:

  • Headache.

  • Blurred Vision.

  • Dizziness.

  • Drowsiness.

  • Loss of Muscle Power.

  • Death.


STRESS

The body’s response to physical and psychological demands.

  • Acute Stress = Immediate threat.

  • Chronic Stress = Accumulated/long term stress.


FATIGUE

Exhaustion.

  • Acute Fatigue = Short term exhaustion.

  • Chronic Fatigue = Long term exhaustion.


ALCOHOL

Rules:

  • 8 hours Bottle to Throttle.

  • .04% BAC Max.

  • No Flying while Hungover.


DCS

Decompression Sickness


SCUBA DIVING WAIT TIMES


IMSAFE CHECKLIST

  • I = Illness.

  • M = Medication.

  • S = Stress.

  • A = Alcohol.

  • F = Fatigue.

  • E = Eating/Emotion.

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