GSW-17 Aeromedical Factors

READING ASSIGNMENT PHAK Chapter 17 – Aeromedical Factors

Study Questions

1. To exercise the privileges of a private pilot certificate, what minimum medical certificate is required? a) First-class medical certificate. b) Second-class medical certificate. c) Third-class medical certificate. GSW-17 2. For how long is a third-class medical certificate valid? ______

3. A pilot was 39 ½ years old on the day of the most recent third-class medical examination. For how many calendar months is the certificate valid? ______

4. A pilot that has passed a first-class medical examination is considered a) to be an air transport pilot. b) likely to remain healthy for another 12 calendar months. c) to have met the requirements of both a second-class and third-class medical examinations as well.

5. A 48 year old pilot passed a third-class medical exam on March 4 of this year. Based on this medical certificate, what is the last day the pilot may exercise private pilot privileges? a) March 4, next year b) March 31, next year c) March 31, two years later

6. Any human tissue will die if deprived of oxygen long enough, but what organ is particularly vulnerable to oxygen deprivation? ______

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7. can result from a number of factors. For each of the following, determine which type of hypoxic condition could result. or drug use ☐ hypoxic ☐ hypemic ☐ stagnant ☐ histotoxic High altitudes ☐ hypoxic ☐ hypemic ☐ stagnant ☐ histotoxic Excess G-forces ☐ hypoxic ☐ hypemic ☐ stagnant ☐ histotoxic Severe bleeding ☐ hypoxic ☐ hypemic ☐ stagnant ☐ histotoxic Extremely cold temperatures ☐ hypoxic ☐ hypemic ☐ stagnant ☐ histotoxic Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning ☐ hypoxic ☐ hypemic ☐ stagnant ☐ histotoxic Anemia ☐ hypoxic ☐ hypemic ☐ stagnant ☐ histotoxic 8. Which of the types of hypoxia are considered dangerous to pilots? a) Histotoxic and hypoxic hypoxia are considered dangerous to pilots. b) Stagnant hypoxia is considered a danger to pilots. c) All types of hypoxia are dangerous to pilots and care should be taken to prevent them.

9. The first symptoms of hypoxia are ______10. Why would cyanosis (blue fingernails and lips) occur in a patient who was hypoxic? a) The body releases a blue protein when at high altitudes. b) When oxygen attaches to blood cells, they turn red. Blue indicates an absence of oxygen. c) Lack of blood flow to the eyes makes everything appear blue.

11. Sitting in an odd position for a long period of time can cause your leg to “go to sleep.” What symptoms of hypoxia are you likely to experience in your leg? ______

12. What step can be taken to reduce a hypoxic condition if it exists? a) Increase the airspeed. b) Fly at lower altitudes. c) Maintain steady, straight and level flight.

13. What other precaution can be taken by pilots flying at very high altitudes in order to prevent against hypoxia? a) Use supplemental oxygen systems. b) Keep at least one cabin window open at all times. c) No pilot should fly at very high altitudes.

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14. Select the answers below that make the statement true.

Pilots (or passengers) encountering an unexpected stressful situation may unconsciously reduce / increase their breathing rate, which can lead to abnormal loss / build up of carbon dioxide in the blood. This dangerous condition is known as hypemic hypoxia / hyperventilation .

15. Hyperventilation can manifest many similar symptoms to hypoxia, so pilots should learn to a) increase their rate of breathing to increase oxygen flow to the brain. b) check supplemental oxygen equipment and flow rate, if in use, to ensure the symptoms are not hypoxia related. c) take narcotics to slow the rate of carbon dioxide loss.

16. What condition is a characteristic symptom of hyperventilation, but not of hypoxia? a) Muscle spasms. b) Drowsiness. c) Visual impairment. GSW-17

17. What is both the best prevention and the best cure for hyperventilation? ______

18. What tricks can help a person calm down and restore normal breathing? ______

19. As outside air pressure changes, air pressure in the middle ear must a) equalize to match the change. b) remain constant to prevent hearing loss. c) increase as the body releases of oxygen and other gases into the middle ear.

20. What methods can be used to open the Eustachian tube to allow air pressures to equalize? a) Squeezing and releasing both fists. b) Meditation and visualization. c) Chewing, yawning, or swallowing.

21. A person’s inability to equalize sinus pressure or middle-ear pressure as a result of or illness may result in extreme ______.

22. Which human body system does the brain use to ascertain orientation (position, attitude) and movement through space? a) The eyes and the visual system. b) The kinesthetic system of nerves, muscles, and tendons. c) The vestibular system of the inner ear. d) All of the above.

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23. Flying can sometimes cause the body to supply conflicting information to the brain about orientation, which could potentially lead to . During normal flight in conditions of good visibility, how does the body resolve the conflicting signals? a) Pilots instinctively rely most on “seat of the pants” information, and kinesthetic signals usually prevail over other information. b) “The eyes have it.” Visual information usually dominates mixed signals from other systems. c) The inner ear is the most advanced human orientation system, and the brains trusts these signals most over all others.

24. What can occur if visual cues are taken away from a pilot in flight? a) False sensations can cause a pilot to quickly become disoriented. b) The pilot can avoid misinformation by keeping his or her eyes closed. c) Spatial orientation can be maintained as long as adequate oxygen is available in the cabin.

25. The single best prevention of spatial disorientation for VFR pilots is a) to allow the eyes to adjust to current brightness levels before beginning any flight. b) to avoid flight in reduced visibility conditions, such as poor weather or night flights without a reference to horizon. c) to practice understanding your kinesthetic sense and trusting its signals.

26. A classic example of spatial disorientation is the “graveyard spiral,” in which a) a pilot in a steep spiral may become focused on completing the required number or turns and inadvertently fly too close to the ground. b) excessive rudder use in low visibility conditions can cause the airplane to enter a flat spin. c) a pilot in a gradual turn mistakenly believes the plane to be in level flight. As airspeed increases, the pilot pulls back on the stick and tightens the turn, and increasing the loss of altitude.

27. When approaching to land at an airport, a wider-than-usual runway can create the illusion that the aircraft is ______

28. Rain or haze can create the illusion that a) the runway and other objects are farther away than they actually are. b) the runway slopes down and away from the aircraft. c) lights in the distance are brighter than they seem.

29. Does experiencing airsickness reflect on one’s ability as a pilot? a) No, it has no reflection on one’s ability as a pilot. b) Yes, it means the person is unlikely to ever be able to fly great distances. c) Yes, it demonstrates lack of mental power over the physical body.

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30. What can be done to alleviate the symptoms of while in flight? ______

31. Which of the following is true of carbon monoxide? a) Carbon monoxide in the exhaust is a sign of abnormal combustion and the owner/operator should have the aircraft serviced as soon as possible. b) Carbon monoxide has the smell of burning oil, and if detected, the pilot should immediately vent the cabin. c) Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced by all internal combustion engines.

32. How does carbon monoxide result in hypoxia? a) Hypemic hypoxia. b) Flicker . GSW-17 c) A perception of the aircraft turning to the right.

33. What may provide a passageway for carbon monoxide to get into the cabin? a) Cracks in the sealant around the windows. b) Heater vents and defrost vents. c) Shorts in the electrical system behind the panel.

34. What should be the immediate response any time carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected?

Turn off the ______. Open the ______. If available, use ______.

35. Smoking at sea level can raise the CO concentration in the blood and result in physiological effects similar to flying at a) 2,000 feet. b) 4,000 feet. c) 8,000 feet.

36. Pilot’s experiencing chronic stress a) are not safe to fly and should not exercise their airman privileges. b) should take sedatives prior to flight to prevent hyperventilation. c) are safe to fly, providing they do not carry passengers.

37. Acute can be prevented by ______and ______.

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38. Define the following terms:

Dehydration ______Heatstroke ______

39. What can be done to prevent against dehydration and heatstroke? a) Fly only in airplanes providing adequate shade to the pilot. b) Carry a supply of water for long flights, and periodically drink whether thirsty or not. c) Keep the temperature in the cabin high to prevent against water loss.

40. Select the answers below that make the statement true.

Alcohol acts as a stimulant / depressant and when taken even in small amounts can impair / facilitate judgment. Pilots are legally required to let at least 4 / 8 hours pass between drinking alcohol and piloting an airplane, although large amounts of alcohol can remain in the body for over 16 / 50 hours.

41. According to 14 CFR Part 91, no person may pilot an aircraft with a blood alcohol concentration of ______% or greater.

42. The two Federal Aviation Regulations to keep in mind when using medication are a) the Medical Reform Act and the Pilot’s Bill of Rights. b) 14 CFR §61.53 and §91.17. c) FDA OTC and Title 94.

43. Federal Aviation Regulations 61.53 prohibit acting as pilot-in-command while the pilot knows or has a reason to know of a ______or is taking ______or receiving treatment for a medical condition that results in the person being unable to meet the requirements for the medical certificate necessary for the pilot operation.

44. The Code of Federal Regulations prohibits pilots from performing crewmember duties while using any medication that a) has not been purchased from a FAA approved pharmacy. b) has exceeded the minimum allowable dose. c) affects the body in any way contrary to safety.

45. Of the types of pain killers, ______have few side effects when taken in correct dosage, and flying is usually not restricted when taking them.

46. Scuba diving subjects the body to increased pressures, which allows excess ______to dissolve into body tissues and fluids.

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47. Divers on nondecompression stop dives that plan to fly at altitudes of 8,000 feet or lower should wait at least ______hours before flying, to avoid “the bends.” Divers on decompression stop dives should wait at least ______hours.

48. Identify which of the light-sensitive cells in the human eye match each of the following descriptions. Rods Cones Detect fine detail and color ☐ ☐ Very sensitive in low light conditions ☐ ☐ Good for detecting movement ☐ ☐ Concentrated in the fovea (center of the retina) ☐ ☐ Can be more easily overwhelmed by bright light ☐ ☐

49. During the daytime, each eye has a blind spot caused by the optic nerve where it is unable to see images. a) True b) False GSW-17 50. When flying at night, with nothing in the visual field to focus upon, the eyes will automatically focus on a point just slightly ahead of the airplane. This is known as a) autokinesis. b) false horizon. c) empty-field myopia.

51. What causes the night blind spot? a) Rods are unable to detect movement at night. b) Cones are concentrated mainly in the fovea, and work poorly in low-light conditions. c) The pupil of each eye causes a shadow to fall against the retina, preventing vision.

52. To make best use of human night vision capability, and to avoid the night blind spot, pilots should a) keep their eyes closed as much as possible when not in use. b) use off-center viewing. c) cut down on their intake of vitamins A and C.

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Answers to Study Questions

1. c 4. c 2. 24 calendar months, or 60 calendar months if the 5. c pilot was under 40 on the exam date. 6. the brain 3. 60 calendar months

7. Alcohol or drug use ☐ hypoxic ☐ hypemic ☐ stagnant ☐X histotoxic High altitudes ☐X hypoxic ☐ hypemic ☐ stagnant ☐ histotoxic Excess G-forces ☐ hypoxic ☐ hypemic ☐X stagnant ☐ histotoxic Severe bleeding ☐ hypoxic ☐X hypemic ☐ stagnant ☐ histotoxic Extremely cold temperatures ☐ hypoxic ☐ hypemic ☐X stagnant ☐ histotoxic Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning ☐ hypoxic ☐X hypemic ☐ stagnant ☐ histotoxic Anemia ☐ hypoxic ☐X hypemic ☐ stagnant ☐ histotoxic 8. c 30. Open fresh air vents, focus on objects outside 9. euphoria and a carefree feeling (although the airplane, and avoid unnecessary head symptoms may differ from pilot to pilot) movements. 10. b 31. c 11. tingling and numbness 32. a 12. b 33. b 13. a 34. heater or defroster fresh air vents and windows 14. increase supplemental oxygen loss hyperventilation 35. c 15. b 36. a 16. a 37. proper diet adequate rest and sleep 17. breathing normally 38. critical loss of water from the body 18. breathing into a bag or talking aloud inability of the body to control temperature 19. a 39. b 20. c 40. depressant 21. pain impair 22. d 8 16 23. b 41. 0.04% 24. a 42. b 25. b 43. medical condition; medication 26. c 44. c 27. too low, or lower than it actually is 45. over-the-counter analgesics 28. a 46. nitrogen 29. a 47. 12 24

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Answers to Study Questions

48. Detect fine detail and color ☐ rods ☐X cones Very sensitive in low light conditions ☐X rods ☐ cones Good for detecting movement ☐X rods ☐ cones Concentrated in the fovea (center of the retina) ☐ rods ☐X cones Can be more easily overwhelmed by bright light ☐X rods ☐ cones 49. a (true) 51. b 50. c 52. b GSW-17

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