1
Q
What senses does the brain use to determine orientation?
A
- Vision (90%)
- Proprioception (Body Sense of motion)
- Vestibular Senses (Linear/Angular Acceleration)
2
Q
What organs does the Vestibular System use to determine our position and motion?
A
- Otoliths - detect LINEAR acceleration
2. Semicircular Canals - detect ANGULAR (rotation) acceleration
3
Q
What is one common example of how the forces of flight can cause the vestibular system to provide misleading info about orientation
A
- When the liquid in the ears and the body are moving the same speed, and motion is no longer detected (takes about 20 seconds to equilibrate)
4
Q
Describe the mechanism for the undetected motion illusion
A
- Any angular acceleration that is less than 3 degrees per second
- Not detected w/o visual reference
5
Q
Describe the strengths and challenges related to central (foveal) vision
A
- Fovea, high concentration of receptors (CONES)
- Acuity and Color (can influence depth preception)
- Rapid focus capability, but sharp focus requires delays
6
Q
Describe the proper scanning technique to avoid relative motion and night vision blind spots
A
- Off center scan due to a central blind spot
7
Q
What are the mechanics of Autokinesis?
A
- When the eye moves to try and get a better perception of a light, and it appears to be moving when really its just your eye
8
Q
What is a common illusion seen with sloping cloud decks, ground reference lights, and distant cues?
A
False Horizons
9
Q
Gravic refers to:
A
A linear/straight line motion
10
Q
Gyric refers to:
A
A turning motion
11
Q
Describe the strengths and challenges related to PERIPHERAL vision
A
- Rods
- Best for NIGHT vision
- Orientation
- Field Flow (Your velocity/speed)
- Motion of objects in your field of vision
12
Q
What sense is responsible for giving you the feeling of sinking back into your seat during an acceleration?
A
Proprioception (body sense)
13
Q
Vestibulo refers to:
A
The vestibular system (Otoliths and SCCs)
14
Q
Oculo/Ocular refers to:
A
The Eyes
15
Q
Somato refers to:
A
The body
16
Q
What is the leading cause of CFIT accidents?
A
Spatial disorientation!!!
17
Q
What accounts for 70% of approach/landing accidents?
A
Low visibility and precipitation
18
Q
What are the FUNCTIONS of the vestibular system?
A
- Maintain orientation
- Assist with balance/movement
- Coordinate eye movement (Vestibulo-ocular reflex)
19
Q
What kind of motion do the Otoliths detect?
A
- Linear acceleration (forward and vertical acceleration)
20
Q
What kind of motion do the Semicircular Canals detect?
A
- Rotation (constant speed turns, spins)
21
Q
Where is your blind spot at night?
A
Central to both eyes
22
Q
What does an effective scanning technique involve?
A
- Focus in blocks, stopping for 1-2 seconds
- 60 degrees L/R
- 10 degrees up/down
23
Q
Why do most mid-air collisions occur between a/c flying in the SAME (parallel) direction?
A
- Due to the lack of relative motion (movement of 1 object in relation to another moving object)
24
Q
What types of monocular cues do humans use to aid in depth and distance perception?
A
- Occlusion/Overlay
- Size Reference/Constancy
- Air clarity/Haze
- Contrast/Texture of surface
25
Describe the Oculogyric Illusion
- Vestibulo-ocular reflex allows the eye to track while the body is in motion
- When we stop spinning with minimal visual cues, objects appear to move with us
26
Describe the SomatoGYRIC Illusion
- When in a steady state turn for over 20 seconds and the turn is no longer sensed
- Leaving the turn gives the false sensation that you are turning the opposite way
27
Describe a Graveyard SPIN and when it's most likely to occur
- When a spin w/o visual reference goes undetected after 20 seconds (stopping the spin creates the illusion of turning in the opposite direction)
- Occurs after spin RECOVERY
28
Describe a Graveyard SPIRAL and when it's most likely to occur
- When a spiral w/o visual reference goes undetected after 20 seconds (stopping the spiral creates the illusion of turning in the opposite direction)
- Occurs after stopping a spiraling turn
- FORCES ARE GREATER than in a spin
29
Describe the Coriolis Illusion
- Acceleration in a turn is detected in 1 SCC
| - Movement of the HEAD on a different plane sets off detection in another SCC
30
Describe the Somatogravic Illusion
- Forward thrust/acceleration is interpreted as sudden pitch up
- Leading cause of CFIT accidents
31
Describe the Inversion Illusion
- When you level off after a climb and the hair cells move toward the top of the head
- Gives the sensation of flying inverted when no visual cues are present
32
Describe a G-Excess Effect and when it would occur
- Gives the illusion that you are in a bank angle that is too shallow (leading to you increasing the bank angle)
- Occurs when you look to the "inside" of an increased G turn
33
Describe the Elevator Illusion and when it would occur
- When your eyes roll up/down with turbulence giving the false impression of being nose high/nose low
- When flying through updrafts and downdrafts
34
Describe the Leans
- When you roll into a turn too slowly and it goes undetected, the. When you go to roll out you ears suddenly pick the movement up and want you to correct back into the turn
- A consequence of undetected motion
35
What are the 3 types of Spatial Disorientation?
1 - Unrecognizable
2 - Recognizable
3 - Incapacitating
36
How can you combat Spatial Disorientation (SDO)
- Vigilance/Increased Awareness
- TRUST YOUR INSTRUMENTS
- Maintain straight and level for 30-40 seconds to correct symptoms
37
What type of Illusion can you expect to see from a narrow runway?
- You think you're HIGHER than you really are, causing you to fly a lower than normal approach and land short
38
What type of Illusion can you expect to see from a wide runway?
You think you're LOWER than you really are, causing you to fly a higher than normal approach and land long
39
What type of Illusion can you expect to see from an upward sloping runway?
- You think you're HIGHER than you really are, causing you to fly a lower than normal approach and land short
40
What type of Illusion can you expect to see from a downward sloping runway?
You think you're LOWER than you really are, causing you to fly a higher than normal approach and land long
41
What are the 2 different TYPES of pressurization systems?
1. Sealed Cabins
| 2. Pressure Cabins
42
What are some DIS-ADVANTAGES of pressurization systems?
- Expensive, heavy
- Possible contamination of air
- Risk of inadvertant loss of cabin pressure
43
What factors control the rate of decompression?
1. Cabin Volume (large cabin = slower decompression)
2. Size of Opening (smaller opening = slower decompression)
3. Pressure Differential/Ratio between cabin and ambient pressure (the higher the pressurization ratio, the slower the decompression)
44
What are the physical/physiological effects of a rapid decompression?
Physiological: Hypoxia and Evolved gas sickness (DCS)
Physical: Temperature drop, debris, windblast, fogging, loud noise
45
What is the emergency procedure following a rapid decompression?
1. Don O2 mask at 100%
2. Descend (-600fpm or less)
3. Structural integrity
4. Don thermal protection
5. Get to a safe altitude
6. Check passengers
46
What is the purpose of having pressurized cabins?
Protect occupants from hypoxia and DCS at high altitudes
47
What is the emergency procedure for a slow decompression?
1. Don O2 mask
2. Descend
3. Check passengers
48
What is Sustained Acceleration?
Any force applied to an object, a change in speed or direction or the effects of inertia for longer than 1 second
49
What are some symptoms associated with short/long Gravitational Stresses?
Short: light headed, dizziness
Long: skin, skeletal, vascular
50
Forward-Backward movement is along what G axis?
Gx
+ = Forward
- = Backwards
51
+Gz effects, symptoms and human tolerances
- Upward (headward) movement
Effects: Increases blood pooling in the LEGS (opposing blood delivery from the heart to the brain)
Symptoms: TUNNEL VISION, Increased heart rate (bc heart has to pump against Gs), blackout, GLOC (bc decreased blood flow to brain)
Tolerance: 4-6 Gs unprotected
52
-Gz effects, symptoms and human tolerances
- Downward (footward) movement
Effects: Vascular congestion of the face/head
Symptoms: "Red-out"
Tolerance: 4-5 Gs LEAST TOLERATED
53
+Gx effects, symptoms and human tolerances
- Forward acceleration
Effects: Spatial disorientation
Symptoms: Fatigue, throat pain, swelling
Tolerance: 15 Gs BEST TOLERATED
54
Describe the G-induced loss of consciousness (G-LOC) during +Gz, exposures and current contermeasures
- Incapacitation due to blood pooling in the legs and not being circulated
1. Absolute (12 seconds)
2. Relative (15 seconds)
55
Describe the Push-Pull effect. Why does it cause increased susceptibility to the effects of acceleration?
- When a -Gz maneuver is followed by a +Gz maneuver
- Blood pressure sensors in the neck change from lowering to increasing the blood pressure
- Can result in GLOC at lower G's
56
What would create +Gz?
The direction of acceleration during coordinated turns (60 degrees of bank = 2 G's)
57
What would create -Gz?
An 'outside loop' or hanging inverted
58
When the body is in motion, movement info. is relayed to the eye motion controls in the brain. If you then stop moving with little visual cues, objects appear to move with you. This is an example of what type of Illusion?
Oculogyric Illusion!
59
If you enter a steady state turn for over 20 seconds, and then the turn is stopped, what sensation will you receive? What Illusion are you experiencing?
- You will feel like you are turning the other way (returning to the original flight path relieves this sensation)
- Somatogyric Illusion!
60
You enter a SPIN for over 20 seconds with no visual reference, and then the spin is stopped. What sensations will you feel, and what Illusion are you experiencing?
- Creates the sensation of turning in the opposite direction
| - Graveyard Spin!
61
A child is riding on a merry-go-round, and has his eyes focused on his mother who is watching from outside the fence. When the merry-go-round comes to a stop, what type of Illusion is the child likely to experience?
The Oculogyric Illusion!
62
You enter a SPIRAL for over 20 seconds with no visual reference, and then the spiral is stopped. What sensations will you feel, and what Illusion are you experiencing?
- Creates the STRONG sensation of turning in the opposite direction
- Graveyard Spiral!
63
When acceleration in a turn is sensed in only one SCC, and a change in head position triggers sensation in the seconds SCC, what sensations will you feel? What Illusion are you experiencing?
- Tumbling sensation
| - Coriolis Illusion!
64
You apply full power to initiate a climb, but feel as if you have just entered a nose-up attitude. You want to pitch the airplane down to relieve this sensation. What Illusion are you experiencing?
The Somatogravic Illusion!
65
You are leveling off after a climb and suddenly feel as if you are flying inverted. What caused this sensation, and what Illusion are you experiencing?
- The slight upward force of the level off lifts hair cells toward the top of the head
- Upward pressure felt against the seat belt contributes to the illusion
- The Inversion Illusion!
66
You enter steady state turn, and your checklist falls on the floor. As you look down to get it, you suddenly feels as if the airplane is tumbling out of control. This is due to:
- The Coriolis Illusion!
| - The second SCC being activated from head movement on the different plane
67
If you are in a turn that is pulling increased Gs, and you turn your head to the 'inside' of it, what sensation are you likely to experience? What is this illusion called?
- You will feel as if the bank angle you are in is too shallow for the turn you are trying to execute
- The G-Excess Effect
68
You are in cruise flight and suddenly experience an area of updrafts. What illusion are you likely to experience?
- The Elevator Illusion
- False impression of entering a nose-high attitude due to your eyes rolling down as you go through the updrafts
- Opposite is true for downdrafts and the impression of a nose-low attitude
69
You enter a gradual, prolonged turn at less than 3 degrees per second. This movement goes unnoticed by the body, and upon a sudden return to level flight, you suddenly sense that the a/c is banking in the opposite direction. What Illusion are you experiencing?
The Leans!
70
What type of pressurization system carries its own gases that are continually purified and recirculated in proper proportion to provide the necessary pressure and gaseous environment?
Sealed Cabin system!
71
What type of system is based off the forcing of ambient air into the cabin?
Pressure Cabin system!
72
What are the 2 METHODS of pressurization?
1. Isobaric Control
| 2. Isobaric Differential
73
Popping of the ears and mild hypoxia would be an indication of what type of decompression?
Slow!
74
Left-Right movement is along what G axis?
Gy
+ = Left
- = Right
75
Up (headward) and down (footward) movement occurs along what G axis?
Gz
+ = Upward
- = Downward
76
What is G to a human?
A measurement of vector acceleration!
77
In physiological terms, what is G-LOC?
Lack of blood return from legs due to pooling
78
Someone who has Dreamlets and Myclonic Convulsive Activity has experienced what type of G-LOC?
Absolute! (12 seconds)
79
Someone who has Neurological Reintegration, Reorientation and Memory Impairment has experienced what type of G-LOC?
Relative! (15 seconds)
80
What method if pressurization keeps the a/c cabin at one constant altitude during flight?
Isobaric CONTROL
81
What method of pressurization allows for the a/c cabin altitude to vary with changing flight altitude?
Isobaric DIFFERENTIAL
82
Popping of the ears and mild hypoxia are signs of what type of decompression?
Slow decompression
83
Hypoxia and DSC are signs of what type of decompression?
Rapid decompression
84
What type of decompression occurs in 1-10 seconds?
Rapid decompression
85
What type of decompression occurs in 5 seconds or less, or less than 1 second with a 10 psi change?
Explosive decompression
86
What does a pressurization system do to the environment within the cabin?
Keeps cabin atmosphere at a higher pressure (therefore a LOWER PRESSURE ALTITUDE) than the flight altitude of the a/c
87
How do you combat G-LOC?
- Tense your lower extremities
- Relax shoulders and chest
- Breathe
88
Name the environmental challenges in relation to impact acceleration when trying to separate from the a/c in flight
1. Extreme speeds (Windblast)
2. Low altitude maneuvers
3. Vehicle clearance due to slipstream
4. Opening shock of parachute
5. Environmental extremes at altitude (Hypoxia, hypothermia)
89
Define crashworthiness in relation to human survivability
Crashworthiness - the ability of the structure to provide protection in survival impact conditions
- CREEP
90
Name and give examples of the CREEP acronym
Containers - Size and design of the plane
Restraints - Seat belts
Environment - How lethal is it?
Energy absorption - Transfer of energy, crushable structures
Post-crash hazards -
91
Relate impact force absorption by the body and common injuries which result
Spiral and neck fracture
92
What are mechanisms to decrease injuries that result from crash impacts and turbulence forces
Seat Leg design
93
What is the most common impact injury leading to death in a/c accidents
Head Injuries
94
Landing with a prolonged deceleration time is an example of which part of the CREEP model?
Energy absorption?
95
What is the CREEP model tell us?
The survivability of a crash!!
96
Engine penetration of the cockpit in a single-engine a/c is an example of which part of the CREEP model?
Containers!!
97
Stiff wing roots to prevent rollover is an example of which part of the CREEP model?
Environment
| Energy Absorption
98
Inertia reel seat belt systems are an example of which part of the CREEP model?
Restraints
99
Shatterproof glass is an example of which part of the CREEP model?
Environment?
100
The number of exits on the a/c is an example of which part of the CREEP model?
Containers: Exit door size and exits close to fires
Environment: Accessibility of safety exits
101
Folding seat legs for vertical impacts are an example of which part of the CREEP model?
Energy Absorption
102
Breakaway control handles are an example of which part of the CREEP model?
Environment
103
Airbag systems are an example of which part of the CREEP model?
Energy Absorption?
| Restraint?
104
Pyrolytic testing of an a/c's interior materials are an example of which part of the CREEP model?
Environment - how lethal is the environment
105
High death rates in floatplane inversions are an example of which part of the CREEP model?
Containers
106
What is the most common source of noise and vibration in the aviation industry?
- High speed operations at LOW altitudes
- Takeoff at max. weight
- Climbs/dives
107
How does noise/vibration influence performance?
- Vision deteriorates at 10-25 Hz
| - Has significant effects on performance due to Resonance
108
Describe the Decible measurement scale. What are human limits?
- INTENSITY measure (vs. frequency or duration)
| - 90 dB unprotected, 8 hour limit, for every 4-5 dB
109
Frequency at which vibration amplitude is maximized is a description of:
Resonance
110
Where does resonance exhibit its greatest effects?
Neck, chest and shoulders: 3-8 Hz
Head-shoulders: 20-30 Hz
Eyeballs: 60-90 Hz
111
What are the 3 concepts of vibration?
Direction
Frequency (Hz)
Intensity
112
What is the worst type of vibration?
Low frequency, high intensity!
113
At what Hz does hearing go first?
4000 Hz
309 Flight Physiology
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