Chapter 17 Aeromedical Factors

Aeromedical Factors

When do first second and third class medicals expire?

Lowest medical: Third class valid for five years if under the age of 40 and 2 years if above the age of 40.

Second class medical is for commercial pilots and is valid for 1 year.

Highest Medical: First class medical valid for 1 year if under the age of 40 and six months if above the age of 40.

How valid is a first class medical for if acting in accords with a second class medical?

First class medical is as valid as a second class medical if operating and exercising as a second class. Privileges revert to the statues below them.

(Hypoxic) Hypoxia means

reduced oxygen or not enough oxygen due to elevation.

transporting dry ice can be dangerous because it will skip the liquid stage and go straight to gas admitting too much co2 during flight.

Hyperemic Hypoxia - not enough blood in the body supply oxygen this can be due to someone losing a lot of blood

Stagnate Hypoxia - no movement (ex: leg falling asleep)

Histotoxic Hypoxia - usually caused by alcohol or other drugs when oxygen is supplied but the body isn’t making use of it

Coriolis Illusion and Vestibular illusion

Coriolis Illusion - Looking at a part in the plane that causes the fluids in your ears that determine balance to shift. This makes you feel like you’re turning when you’re not.

Vestibular illusion - a slight turn that went unnoticed, making you feel like you are leveled when you’re actually turning

False horizon and autokinesis

false horizon - cloud formation, obscured horizon, aurora borealis, false lights spread upon the ground causing the pilot to turn the plane into a dangerous altitude.

Autokinesis - flying in the dark, stationary lights may appear to move.

If there is an odor in the cabin, what should you do?

immediately land and assume C02 is present. It can be deadly.

Rules around alcoholic consumption

Must not have drunk 8 hours prior to flight and a alcoholic concentration of .04 percent in body be present

Decompression sickness and how to cure it

Nitrogen, a gas stored in the body leaves too quickly during decreased barometric pressure. Put on oxygen mask, cabin oxygen to 100, and descend.

Eyes are made of cones and rods. What do they do?

Cones detect color. Rods detect movement.

Scanning techniques:

off-center scanning -

At night scan an object 5-10degrees.

Scan far from the top and move closer towards the bottom. Your eyes should not rest for more than 2-3 seconds on an area. Overlapping the previous field by 10degrees.

wear N-15 sunglass in the light to adapt to night flights

bring a dim flashlight when viewing maps or charts at night