PPL Pilot Health and Human Factors Flashcards
6 cards from real PPL practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 PPL Pilot Health and Human Factors flashcards as text
Why is scuba diving before a flight potentially dangerous?
Answer: Nitrogen absorbed during diving can form bubbles in the bloodstream at altitude, causing decompression sickness
Scuba diving causes nitrogen to dissolve in body tissues under pressure; ascending to altitude too soon reduces ambient pressure and can cause nitrogen to form dangerous gas bubbles.
What is the vestibular system's key limitation during instrument flight?
Answer: It cannot sustain accurate attitude sensing without visual references, leading to dangerous disorientation in IMC
The vestibular (inner ear) system cannot distinguish between a sustained coordinated turn and straight-and-level flight, causing false sensations in IMC that can overwhelm instrument indications.
Which medication class is generally considered incompatible with flight duties?
Answer: Antihistamines (allergy/cold medications)
Antihistamines commonly cause sedation, slowed reaction time, and impaired cognitive function, making them generally incompatible with flight duties.
What does pilot 'currency' mean and how does it differ from 'proficiency'?
Answer: Currency means meeting minimum legal recent experience requirements; proficiency means actual skill and competence
Currency is the legal minimum (e.g., 3 takeoffs and landings within 90 days to carry passengers), while proficiency means actually flying safely and competently — a pilot can be current but not proficient.
What is 'tunnel vision' in the context of pilot human factors?
Answer: Excessive focus on one task causing a pilot to miss other critical cues in the cockpit or environment
Tunnel vision in human factors describes attentional fixation on a single cue or problem — for example, focusing on an abnormal gauge while missing deteriorating weather or ATC calls.
What does FAR 61.56 require regarding the flight review?
Answer: A pilot must complete a flight review with a CFI every 24 calendar months to maintain pilot-in-command privileges
FAR 61.56 requires all pilots to complete a flight review with a certificated flight instructor every 24 calendar months to maintain the privilege of acting as pilot in command.