Human Factors

What are the different Illusions?

Inversion
Coriollis
Elevator
False Horizon
Leans
Auto Kenisis
Graveyard Spin/Spiral
Somotogravic

Vestibular System

Organs in the inner ear that sense position by the way we are balanced.

Somatosensory/Postural System

Nerves in the skin, muscles, and joints that sense position based on gravity and feeling

Visual System

Eyes sensing position based on what is seen

The leans

When in a turn, the fluid in the inner ear will stabilize making it feel straight and level and once you level out it may feel like your turning in the opposite direction.

Graveyard Spiral

During a prolonged turn the pilot will begin to feel like hes straight and level, when returning to straight and level pilot will feel like hes turning in the opposite direction making the pilot return to the original turn. The plane will begin to lose altitude because of the turn and the pilot will pull back on the controls which will cause a tighter turn and a greater loss of altitude.

Coriolis

When established in a turn and the fluid in the ear canals starts to move at the same speed of the canals, with a rapid head movement the fluid will move across different canals causing major disorientation and the feeling of moving on a diffrent plane.

Somotogravic

When increasing power, the rapid acceleration pushes you backwards giving a sensation similar to pitching up. Same can be for decreasing power, the reduced forward pressure may feel like a descent.

Inversion

When transitioning from a climb to straight and level, you may feel a sensation of tumbling backwards.

Elevator

When an updraft hits the plane, the plane gets a boost upwards which may make your inner ear tell your brain your climbing when youre really not which may cause the pilot to make an unnecessary descent.

Autokinesis

When flying at night and fixating on a light, it may begin to look likes it moving which can be hazardous when trying to judge the position of another aircraft.

False Horizon

When there is no distinct horizon you may spot a line of city lights, a or a cloud bank and may think that it is the horizon when it isnt and may cause the pilot to make wrong control inputs when basing your attitude around the falso horizon

What are the 4 Hazardous Attitudes

Macho
Resignation
Anti-Authority
Invulnerability
Impulsivity

Macho

Attitude: Watch what I can do
Antidote: Taking chances is foolish

Impulsivity

Attitude: Do it quickly!
Antidote: Not so fast. Think First!

Resignation

Attitude: Whats the use?
Antidote: Im not helpless. I can make a diffrence.

Anti-Authority

Attitude: The rules dont apply to me
Antidote: Follow the rules, they’re usually right

Invulnerability

Attitude: It won’t happen to me
Antidote: It could happen to me

What are the 4 types of Hypoxia

Hypoxic
Stagnant
Hystotoxic
Hypemic

What is hypoxia?

Hypoxia is a state of oxygen deficiency that impairs the functions of the brain and other organs

What are the symptoms of Hypoxia?

Blue lips/Fingertips
Impaired Judgement
Lightheaded/Dizziness
Euphoria
Tunnel Vision

Hypoxic

At high altitudes usually at 12,000-15,000 during the day. There is a lack of pressure, the air is less dense making the air harder to breath in.

Hypemic

Oxygen is unable to be carried by the blood usually due to carbon monoxide poisoning which will bind to the hemoglobin in the blood essentially taking place of the oxygen.

Stagnant

Blood stops flowing properly and cannot carry oxygen to organs usually due to high G manuvers or heart failure

Hystotoxic

Cells are unable to use any oxygen due to drugs, alcohol, and even poisons which prohibit cells from properly utilizing oxygen

When is supplemental oxygen used?

Recommended at 10,000 day and 5,000 at night (loss of color vision)

12,500-14,000: Crew must use supplemental oxygen if cruising for 30 minutes total

Above: 14,000 Crew must use supplemental oxygen
Above 15,000: Every occupant must be provided supplemental oxygen

Air we breathe

21% Oxygen
78% Nitrogen
1% Other Gasses

Alcohol Regulations

Riddle = 12 Hours Bottle to throttle
FAA = 8 Hours
0.04% BAC
No impairment

How long must you wait after scuba diving?

Must wait 12 hours after scuba diving, 24 hours if it was a controlled dive

Symptoms of Decompression Sickness/The Bends

Joint Pain
Seizures
Unconsiouceness

What is decompression sickness/the bends?

When scuba diving you absorb an excessive amount of nitrogen and when pressure is decreased rapidly the nitrogen will form bubbles in the bloodstream

What can happen when you fly sick?

The inner ear will not be able to equalize the pressure through the eustation tubes due to a cold or sinus condition creating blockages. too fast of a descent can cause major pain and even bursting the ear drum. Chew, Swallow, Yawn, Val Salva Manuver.

What causes motion sickness?

Conflict between what the eyes are seeing and what the inner ear senses

What is hypothermia?

The body loses heat faster than it can produce it. Can impair thinking, cordination, and even unconsciousness.

Rods V Cones

Rods - Used for night vision, perphiral vision, Black and White
Cones - Used for daytime vision, detect color and fine detail