Aviation Human Factors and Aeromedical Practice Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering aeromedical factors, medical certification, flight illusions, cognitive psychology, and aeronautical decision-making based on pilot training lecture notes.

Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs)

FAA-designated doctors who represent the FAA for the purposes of medical certification.

Special Issuance (§ 67.401(a))

A medical certificate issued at the discretion of the Federal Air Surgeon for applicants with disqualifying conditions that have been treated in an acceptable manner.

Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA)

A medical certificate issued for medical disabilities that do not change and do not affect safety of flight; it does not expire if the condition remains unchanged.

Hypoxia

Inadequate oxygen supply, particularly to the brain.

Hypoxic Hypoxia

A lack of oxygen due to not enough oxygen in the air, common at high altitudes or during suffocation.

Hypemic Hypoxia

A condition where the blood cannot carry sufficient oxygen, often caused by Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning or anemia.

Stagnant Hypoxia

A condition where blood is not flowing properly, which can be caused by high $G$-forces or poor circulation.

Histoxic Hypoxia

A condition where cells cannot use provided oxygen, typically caused by the use of alcohol or drugs.

Supplemental Oxygen Requirement ($12,500$ to $14,000\,ft$)

All crew members must be on oxygen if the duration at these altitudes exceeds $30$ minutes.

Supplemental Oxygen Requirement (Above $14,000\,ft$)

The required altitude at which all crew members must be on supplemental oxygen full time.

Supplemental Oxygen Requirement (Above $15,000\,ft$)

The altitude at which all passengers must be offered supplemental oxygen.

Hyperventilation

An excessive rate of breathing that results in a $CO_2$ deficiency; causes include stress or high breathing rates on pure oxygen.

Spatial Disorientation

The state where the brain becomes confused due to the unreliability of the vestibular system when visual cues are lost.

The Leans

A spatial illusion occurring during rollout from a prolonged, constant-rate turn, where the pilot feels as if they are leaning to one side when straight and level.

Coriolis Illusion

A sensation of rotation in a different axis caused by moving the head during a prolonged, constant-rate turn.

Graveyard Spiral

An illusion leading to a tightening, descending spiral caused by the pilot continuously inputting incorrect corrective controls similar to 'the leans.'

Somatogravic Illusion

An illusion where accelerations cause a feeling of pitching up and decelerations cause a feeling of pitching down.

Inversion Illusion

A feeling of tumbling backwards caused by abruptly leveling off from a climb.

Autokinesis

A visual illusion where focusing on a small point of light in a dark area for a long time causes the light to appear to move.

Featureless Terrain Illusion

A visual illusion of being higher than the actual altitude when flying over still water or smooth snow.

Alcohol Regulation (§ 91.17)

Restrictions stating a crewmember cannot act within $8$ hours of drinking, with a BAC greater than or equal to $0.04$, or while under the influence.

Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM)

A structured framework and system used by pilots to make decisions and avoid unnecessary risk.

PAVE Checklist

A risk assessment tool dividing risks into: Pilot, Aircraft, enVironment, and External Pressures.

D-E-C-I-D-E Model

A six-step decision-making process: Detect, Estimate, Choose, Identify, Do, and Evaluate.

3-Way Exchange of Controls

A safety procedure using the phrases 'You have the flight controls,' 'I have the flight controls,' and 'You have the flight controls' to confirm who is flying.

Sterile Cockpit

A rule to minimize unnecessary discussion during critical phases of flight to prevent runway incursions and the forgetting of critical items.

Anti-Authority

A hazardous attitude defined by the thought 'Don't tell me!'; the antidote is: 'Follow the rules, they are there for a reason.'

Impulsivity

A hazardous attitude defined by the thought 'Do it quickly'; the antidote is: 'Not so fast, think.'

Invulnerability

A hazardous attitude defined by the thought 'It won't happen to me'; the antidote is: 'It can happen to you.'

Resignation

A hazardous attitude defined by the thought 'What's the use?'; the antidote is: 'I am not helpless, I can make a difference.'

Macho

A hazardous attitude defined by the thought 'I can do it'; the antidote is: 'Taking chances is foolish.'