Commercial oral flashcards - Human factors

What is hypoxia and what are the symptoms?

Where there is insufficient oxygen available to the body. Symptoms include headache, dizziness, euphoria, loss of consciousness, and impaired judgement.

What are the 4 types of hypoxias?

Hypoxic - Caused by insufficient oxygen available to the body, typically caused by lack of partial pressure at high altitudes

Hypemic - Caused by the inability of blood to carry sufficient oxygen, often due to conditions like carbon monoxide poisoning to anemia

Stagnant - Caused by poor blood circulation, which can result from excessive G-forces or a heart condition

Histotoxic - Caused by the inability of cells to use oxygen properly, often due to toxins like alcohol or drugs

What are the supplemental oxygen requirements?

For cabin pressure altitudes between 12,500 ft and 14,000 ft for more than 30 minutes → required flight crew must use supplemental oxygen

Above 14,000 ft → Required flight crew must use supplemental oxygen the whole time

Above 15,000 ft → required flight crew must use supplemental oxygen the whole time and passengers must be provided it

What is hyperventilation, what causes it, and how can it be remedied?

Excessive breathing leads to a decrease in carbon dioxide level in the blood, often caused by anxiety or stress, drastically reducing performance. Slow down your breathing, berate into a paper bag, or talk aloud to focus on controlling your breathing

How does dehydration affect a pilot’s performance?

It can cause fatigue, dizziness, and impaired cognitive function, negatively impacting a pilot’s performance

What is the “IMSAFE” checklist and how is it used?

It is used to assess a pilot’s fitness for flight (self-preflight): Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, Emotion/Eating

What is “Startle Effect” in aviation, and how can it impact pilot performance?

It is the body’s automatic stress response to a sudden, unexpected event (like an engine failure or TCAS). It can cause a pilot to freeze, overreact, or make poor decisions. Training, scenario-based practice, and maintaining situational awareness help reduce its impact and improve response under pressure

How does alcohol consumption affect pilot performance?

It impairs cognitive and motor skills, affects judgment, and can lead to dehydration and hangovers, reducing a pilot’s performance

What is the minimum time a pilot must wait after consuming alcohol before flying?

The FAA requires at least 8 hours from “bottle to throttle” and a BAC of .04 or less with no symptoms of alcohol impairment. 12 hours bottle to throttle is a policy at many airlines and is recommended for all pilot’s

How does carbon monoxide poisoning occur in an aircraft and what are the symptoms?

It can occur from exhaust fumes leaking into the cabin, often due to a crack in the exhaust manifold, which presents itself when using the heater. Symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and loss of muscular power. By the time symptoms are recognized it is too late.

What is the impact of stress on pilot performance and how can a pilot manage it effectively?

It can impair decision-making, reduce concentration, cause fatigue. Small amounts of stress have been proven to enable pilots to focus on major issues by eliminating nonessential information. Proper planning, training, and staying ahead of the aircraft will minimize stress as there will be fewer unexpected circumstances.

What is “Get-There-Itis” and how can it affect flight safety?

It causes pilots to continue their original plan even when information suggest the plan should be modified or abandoned. It’s an unconscious bias that can appear stronger the closer you get to accomplishing the activity; for example, getting back to your home airport despite deteriorating weather conditions.

What are the 5 hazardous attitudes identified by the FAA?

Macho - A desire to prove oneself superior to others by taking risks and impressing others

Resignation - A feeling of hopelessness or that one is unable to make a difference

Anti-authority - A disregard for authority or rules

Impulsivity - A tendency to act without thinking

Invulnerability - A belief that accidents happen only to other

How can pilots improve their decision-making skills?

Use the DECIDE model: Detect the problem, Estimate the need to reach, choose a course of action, identify solutions, Do the necessary actions, Evaluate the effect

What is the PAVE checklist?

A risk management tool to ensure a through pre-flight evaluation: Pilot, Aircraft, enVironment, and External pressures

What is aeronautical decision-making?

A systematic approach to making safe decisions in aviation, considering all available information.

What are the 5 P’s of ADM

Plane, Plan, Pilot, Programming, Passengers.

What is the difference between acute and chronic fatigue.

Acute: Short-term fatigue from a single task or day of activity, usually relieved by rest

Chronic: Long-term fatigue from sustained stress or lack of rest, requiring extended recovery

What are the effects of scuba diving on passengers and crew of an aircraft?

Flying after scuba diving can result in decompression sickness. For flights at or below 8,000’ MSL, wait at least 12 hours if the dive did not require a controlled ascent. if a controlled accent was required, wait at least 24 hours. If flying over 8,000’ MSL you must wait 24 hours. These are MSL altitudes to account for the risk of a cabin decompressurization at high altitudes

What is the hierarchy that helps pilots manage their workload and maintain situational awareness before attending to other tasks?

Aviate: Maintain control of the aircraft

Navigate: Determine your current position and plan your route

Communicate: Establish and maintain communication with ATC. Inform ATC of your situation, intentions, and any assistance required. Relay important information to passengers and crew if necessary.

What is CFIT?

Controlled flight into terrain. When a pilot unintentionally flies into an obstruction, such as the ground. Usually due to spatial disorientation or lack of situational awareness

What is spatial disorientation, and why is it dangerous for all pilots?

It is the inability to correctly perceive one’s position, motion, and attitude relative to Earth. It can lead to incorrect control inputs and loss of aircraft control, usually in the absence of visual references. Spatial disorientation has been the cause of many accidents and affects both instrument-rated pilots and VFR pilots who inadvertently fly into IMC.

What are the 3 sensory systems that contribute to spatial orientation?

Vestibular system (inner ear), Visual system (eyes), and somatosensory system (body position). Pilots rely on these systems to maintain spatial awareness

What is the leans and how does it occur?

It is a vestibular illusion where a pilot incorrectly perceives level flight after such a gradual turn that their inner ear no longer detects it. This leads the pilot to feel like they are entering a turn in the opposite direction when they return to straight-and-level flight. They will then turn in the opposite direction to balance out the feeling of entering a bank.

What is the graveyard spiral, and how can it be prevented?

A spatial disorientation illusion where the pilot mistakenly believes the aircraft is flying straight and level, but it’s actually in a banking descent. Pilot notices a loss of altitude and pulls back on the yoke which only tightens the turn and increases the descent rate. It can be prevented by consistently trusting the instruments and avoiding reliance on sensations

What is somatotropic illusion, and when might it occur?

Occurs during rapid acceleration where the pilot feels as though the aircraft is pitching up more than it actually it. This can lead to incorrect nose-down control inputs. It is common during go arounds in low visibility or night operations,

How can fatigue impact pilots, and what are the signs to watch for?

It can impair concentration, decision-making, and situational awareness. Signs include difficulty focusing, poor judgement, slower reaction times, and forgetting procedural steps. Fatigue management through rest and hydration is critical.

Why is a positive exchange of control required?

It eliminates ambiguity, prevents dual inputs or unintended aircraft response, and maintains a clear division of flying duties which enhances flight safety and crew resource management.

What are the key verbal elements of a proper exchange of controls?

“You have flight controls” → “I have flight controls” → '“You have flight controls”