Stage 2 Mock Stagecheck

Privileges and Limitations

  • Focus on specific definitions and rules regarding medical certifications.

  • Privileges are associated with different classes of medical certificates (1st, 2nd, 3rd).

Medical Certificates Definition

  • Medical Certificate: Confirmation of sufficient mental and physical health for safe airplane operation.

  • Types of Medical Certificates:

    • First Class: Allows flying as an airline pilot.

    • Second Class: Allows commercial flying, but not as an airline pilot (charter pilot, crop dusting).

    • Third Class: Broadly allows basic general aviation operations.

First Class Medical Privileges

  • For those under 40:

    • Valid for 12 calendar months for first-class privileges.

    • After 12 months, downgrades to third-class privileges but retains first-class medical certificate for a total of 60 calendar months (4 more years with third class privileges).

  • For those 40 and over:

    • First Class privileges valid for 6 calendar months then downgrade to third class for the remaining 24 calendar months

  • Retain first-class medical for a total of 24 months after initial issuance.

Second Class Medical Privileges

  • For those under 40:

    • Valid for 12 calendar months.

    • After 12 months, downgrades to a third class medical for 48 calendar months total.

  • Retains Second Class Medical Certificate for a total of 60 calendar months.

Third Class Medical Privileges

Remains valid for 60 calendar months regardless of age.

  • If enrolled in expected age regulations for pilots over 40, the limitations follow similar rules to above.

Basic Med Overview

  • Basic Med: An alternative to traditional medical certification,

    • Requires a valid driver’s license.

    • Must complete a medical checkup every 48 months and an online course every 24 months.

    • Can carry 7 passengers including oneself.

    • Cannot operate aircraft over 12,500 lbs, above 18,000 ft, or exceed 250 knots.

    • May not have had prior medicals revoked or suspended.

Responsibilities for Medical Conditions

  • Must report any disqualifying medical conditions after receiving medical certification, including issues such as:

    • Severe anemic conditions or high fever.

    • Ongoing responsibilities to report any new or worsening conditions impacting flying ability.

Proficiency vs. Currency

  • Currency: Refers to whether a pilot has flown more recently enough to legally act as pilot of an aircraft.

  • Proficiency: Refers to skill level and comfort performing particular flight maneuvers.

  • Example of Currency vs. Proficiency:

    • Past takeoffs and landings are recent but pilot may not feel comfortable after a long break or unfamiliar aircraft or systems (i.e., different avionics).

Human Factors in Aviation

  • Focus on how physical conditions affect pilots and their operational capabilities.

Types of Human Factors Concerns

1. Hypoxia

  • Definition: Inadequate oxygen supply to the body.

  • Types of Hypoxia:

    • Hypoxic: Caused by high altitude.

    • Hypemic: Typically results from carbon monoxide poisoning.

    • Stagnant: Caused by extreme G-forces preventing blood circulation.

    • Histotoxic: Impacts of substances (alcohol/drugs) preventing the body from utilizing oxygen effectively.

  • Solutions include:

    • Descent to lower altitudes,

    • Use of supplemental oxygen,

    • Emergency landing declaration when necessary.

2. Hyperventilation

  • Definition: Excessive breathing leading to decreased carbon dioxide levels.

  • Symptoms and Corrections:

    • Breathe slowly and deeply; accomplish this through controlled breathing methods, such as using a paper bag.

3. Middle Ear and Sinus Problems

  • Caused by pressure changes during flight, leading to sharp pain.

  • Solutions include using techniques to equalize ear pressure and avoiding flying when congested.

4. Spatial Disorientation

  • Disruption of awareness of the aircraft's orientation, more likely in limited visibility.

  • Recommended corrections involve trusting instrument readings over sensory perceptions.

5. Motion Sickness

  • Results from conflicting signals to the brain regarding motion; suggested corrections include stabilizing focus on distant, immobile points, and ensuring adequate ventilation.

6. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

  • Inhaled gas from exhaust that binds with hemoglobin preventing oxygen transport; symptoms include headaches and dizziness.

  • Key Prevention Steps:

    • Turn off cabin heat and ventilate cabin, use carbon monoxide detectors.

7. Stress and Fatigue

  • Types: Acute and Chronic

    • Acute: Short-term, immediate stressors; Chronic: Long-term, persistent stressors.

  • Recommendations: Perform self-assessment on current stress/fatigue levels before flying.

Privileges and Limitations

  • Focus on specific definitions and rules regarding medical certifications.

  • Privileges are associated with different classes of medical certificates (1st, 2nd, 3rd).

Medical Certificates Definition

  • Medical Certificate: Confirmation of sufficient mental and physical health for safe airplane operation.

  • Types of Medical Certificates:

    • First Class: Allows flying as an airline pilot (ATP privileges).

    • Second Class: Allows commercial flying, but not as an airline pilot (charter pilot, crop dusting).

    • Third Class: Broadly allows basic general aviation operations (Private, Student, or Recreational pilot).

First Class Medical Privileges

  • For those under 40:

    • Valid for 12 calendar months for first-class privileges.

    • After 12 months, downgrades to third-class privileges but retains first-class medical certificate for a total of 60 calendar months (4 more years with third class privileges).

  • For those 40 and over:

    • First Class privileges valid for 6 calendar months.

    • Downgrades to second-class for the next 6 months, then to third class for the remaining 12 calendar months.

    • Retain first-class medical for a total of 24 months after initial issuance.

Second Class Medical Privileges

  • For those under 40:

    • Valid for 12 calendar months.

    • After 12 months, downgrades to a third class medical for 48 calendar months total.

    • Retains Second Class Medical Certificate for a total of 60 calendar months.

  • For those 40 and over:

    • Valid for 12 calendar months.

    • After 12 months, downgrades to third class for an additional 12 months (24 months total).

Third Class Medical Privileges

  • Remains valid for 60 calendar months if under 40.

  • If 40 or over, valid for 24 calendar months.

Basic Med Overview

  • Basic Med: An alternative to traditional medical certification.

    • Requires a valid driver’s license and must have held a medical certificate at some point after July 14, 2006.

    • Must complete a medical checkup every 48 months and an online course every 24 months.

    • Can carry up to 6 occupants (5 passengers plus the pilot).

    • Cannot operate aircraft over 6,000lbs maximum takeoff weight (MTOW), above 18,000ft MSL, or exceed 250knots.

Proficiency vs. Currency

  • Currency: Refers to whether a pilot has met the legal minimum requirements (e.g., 3 takeoffs and landings within 90 days) to act as pilot in command.

  • Proficiency: Refers to the pilot's actual skill level and ability to fly safely and competently in various conditions.

Human Factors in Aviation

  • Focus on how physical conditions affect pilots and their operational capabilities.

1. Hypoxia

  • Definition: Inadequate oxygen supply to the body's cells and tissues.

  • Causes and Types:

    • Hypoxic: Lack of available oxygen in the air (high altitude).

    • Hypemic: Blood cannot carry oxygen (carbon monoxide poisoning or anemia).

    • Stagnant: Blood is not moving (high G-forces or cold temperatures).

    • Histotoxic: Cells cannot use the oxygen provided (alcohol or drug use).

  • Symptoms: Euphoria (false sense of safety), cyanosis (blue tint to fingernails and lips), headache, drowsiness, impaired judgment, and increased reaction time.

  • Solutions: Descent to lower altitudes, use of supplemental oxygen (FAR 91.211 requirements), or emergency landing.

2. Hyperventilation

  • Definition: Breathing at an abnormally rapid rate, resulting in excessive loss of carbon dioxide (CO_2).

  • Causes: Stress, anxiety, or fear often trigger an increased breathing rate.

  • Symptoms: Dizziness, tingling in the extremities (hands and feet), muscle spasms, and lightheadedness.

  • Corrections: Consciously slow the breathing rate; talk out loud, or breathe into a paper bag to re-inhale CO_2.

3. Middle Ear and Sinus Problems

  • Anatomy: Involves the Eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ear to the throat to equalize pressure.

  • Causes: During climb or descent, gas in the ears and sinuses expands or contracts. If the Eustachian tube is blocked by congestion or inflammation, the pressure cannot equalize.

  • Symptoms: Severe, sharp pain in the ears or forehead/face; possible temporary hearing loss or eardrum rupture.

  • Solutions: Level off and descend slowly; use the Valsalva maneuver (pinch nose and blow gently) to equalize pressure; avoid flying with a cold or sinus infection.

4. Spatial Disorientation

  • Definition: A state of temporary confusion resulting from misleading sensory information relative to the aircraft's position.

  • The Three Systems:

    • Vestibular System: Inner ear organs (semicircular canals and otolith organs) that sense balance and acceleration.

    • Visual System: Eyes which provide the primary source of orientation.

    • Somatosensory System: Nerves in joints and muscles ('seat of the pants' feeling).

  • Causes: When visual cues are lost (clouds/darkness), the vestibular system can provide false sensations (e.g., 'the leans' or Coriolis illusion).

  • Corrections: Trust the flight instruments and ignore bodily sensations.

5. Motion Sickness

  • Causes: Conflicting signals between the vestibular system (sensing motion) and the visual system (eyes sensing a fixed cabin interior).

  • Symptoms: Nausea, dizziness, paleness, cold sweating, and vomiting.

  • Corrections: Look at a point outside on the horizon, increase fresh air flow, and avoid unnecessary head movements.

6. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

  • Cause: Inhaled exhaust gases (containing CO) entering the cabin, usually via a leaky heater shroud. CO binds to hemoglobin 200 times more effectively than oxygen.

  • Symptoms: Headache, blurred vision, dizziness, and eventual loss of consciousness.

  • Key Prevention Steps: Shut off cabin heat, open all vents/windows, and land as soon as possible.

7. Stress and Fatigue

  • Acute Stress: Short-term response to immediate threats.

  • Chronic Stress: Long-term psychological pressure that drains energy.

  • Fatigue: Can be acute (lost sleep) or chronic (long-term exhaustion). It results in slowed reaction times and poor decision-making.

  • I'M SAFE Checklist:

    • Illness

    • Medication

    • Stress

    • Alcohol (8 hours bottle to throttle; < 0.04\% BAC)

    • Fatigue

    • Emotion/Eating