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Areromedical Factors and Aeronautical Decision Making. Jim Pearsall Flight Instructor-Sport Pilot Candidate. Agenda. Aeromedical Factors Hypoxia Hyperventilation Spatial Disorientation Night Vision Medical Conditions impacting Performance Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM).
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Areromedical Factors and Aeronautical Decision Making Jim Pearsall Flight Instructor-Sport Pilot Candidate
Agenda • Aeromedical Factors • Hypoxia • Hyperventilation • Spatial Disorientation • Night Vision • Medical Conditions impacting Performance • Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM)
Aeromedical-Hypoxia • Lack of Oxygen • Hypoxic • Likely in unpressurized cabin above 15000 feet • Blue nails • Tunnel Vision • Symptoms • Belligerence • False sense of security • Counter • Time in Altitude Chamber to experience effects • Effects amplified by smoking, alcohol • Anemic • Similar effects caused by excessive Carbon Monoxide impeding the transport of oxygen by the blood
Aeromedical-Hyperventilation • Lack of CO2 • Results from • Excited • Stress • Tension • Fear • Use of supplemental oxygen • Cure • Slow breathing • Talking
Aeromedical-Spatial Disorientation • Temporary disorientation/confusion • Altitude may seem greater than actual due to upslope • Rapid Acceleration may be miss-interpreted as in a nose-high attitude • Haze makes objects appear further away • If in IMC, trust your instruments!
Aeromedical-Night Vision • Reduces vision • Force viewing objects off-center • Use Rods, B&W portion of eye • Adaptation is impaired above 5000 feet, Oxygen recommended at night • Careful use of Landing Light • It is not a taxi light • Dim panel • Red flashlight • Spend time in the dark before flight
Aeromedical-Conditions • Flying after Diving • Requires waiting before flights: • Motion Sickness • Avoid head movements • Keep eyes outside • PIC • Avoid medications, they can cause drowsiness
Aeromedical-Conditions 2 • Inflammation • Head Colds • Ear Block • Sinus Congestion • Tooth Pain
Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM) Definition: A systematic approach to the mental process used by pilots to consistently determine the best course of action in response to a given set of circumstances.
ADM Process Risk Elements • Process is dependent on the following elements being present: • Situational Awareness • Problem Recognition • Good Judgment
Workload/Flight Phases Source: Pilots encyclopedia of Aeronautical Knowledge
ADM-Prepare I’M SAFE Checklist • Illness -Any Symptoms? • Medication –Prescription, Over the Counter? • Stress –Job? Finances? Health? Family? • Alcohol –Drinking last 8 Hours? 24? • Fatigue –Tired, adequately Rested? • Eating –Am I nourished?
ADM - Pitfalls to Good Judgment • Peer Pressure • Scud Running • Loss of Position • Adequate fuel reserves • Neglect in Flight Planning • Remember, everything available about the flight ADM is dependent on objective self-assessment
“Shirt Pocket” ADM • Decide Model • Detect • Estimate • Choose • Identify • Do • Evaluate
Resources • FAA ADM Document (AC) 60-22