Aeromedical/Human Factors
References
• PHAK Chapter 17 – Aeromedical Factors
Introduction
• It is important for a pilot to be aware of the mental and physical standards required for flying
• Aeromedical factors involve a number of health and physiological factors that can have significant effects
on pilots in flight
Overview
• Medicals and how to obtain one in event of possible medical deficiency
• Hypoxia
• Hyperventilation
• Middle Ear and Sinus Problems
• Spatial Disorientation
o Spatial Illusions
o Optical Illusions
• Motion Sickness
• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
• Fatigue and Stress
• Dehydration
• Effects of Alcohol and Drugs
• Decompression Sickness – Scuba Diving
Medicals
Pilots must have a medical certificate, with few exceptions, to exercise the privileges of their airmen
certificates. However, once you obtain a medical certificate, you still must comply with FAR 61.53 which states
“a pilot cannot act as a crewmember on an aircraft if they know, or have reason to know, of any medical
condition that would make them unsafe to operate an aircraft.” (Medicals are “self-regulatory”).
How to Obtain a Medical Certificate
Medical Certificates are obtained from an AME (Aviation Medical Examiner). You can find a full list of AMEs in
your area on the FAA’s website. https://www.faa.gov/pilots/amelocator
In Case of a Medical Deficiency
At the discretion of the Federal Air Surgeon, a Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA) may be granted,
instead of an Authorization, to a person whose disqualifying condition is static or nonprogressive and who has
been found capable of performing airman duties without endangering public safety. A SODA does not expire
and authorizes a designated Examiner to issue a medical certificate of a specified class if the Examiner finds
that the condition described on the SODA has not adversely changed. In granting a SODA under the special
issuance section of part 67 (14 CFR 67.401), the Federal Air Surgeon specifies the class of medical certificate
authorized to be issued.
1
, Medical Certificate Classes and Durations
1st Class Medical
• Privileges: Used to exercise the privileges of an ATP Certificate.
• Privilege Duration: <40 = 12 calendar months, >40 = 6 calendar months.
• Total Duration: <40 = 60 calendar months, >40 = 24 calendar months.
2nd Class Medical
• Privileges: Used to exercise the privileges of a Commercial Pilot Certificate.
• Privilege Duration: <40 = 12 calendar months, >40 = 12 calendar months.
• Total Duration: <40 = 60 calendar months, >40 = 24 calendar months.
3rd Class Medical
• Privileges: Used to exercise the privileges of a Student Pilot (solo) or Private Pilot Certificate.
• Privilege Duration: <40 = 60 calendar months, >40 = 24 calendar months.
• Total Duration: <40 = 60 calendar months, >40 = 24 calendar months.
Medical Certificate Example
Remember, Medical Certificate Privileges will degrade as time passes. However, this does not change the
Medical Certificates Class. A 42 year old gentleman provides you with a 1st Class Medical Certificate. The
certificate is 18 months old.
• Which Class is the Medical Certificate? 1st • Which Privileges are still Valid? 3rd
Hypoxia
• Means “reduced oxygen” or “not enough oxygen”
• Lack of oxygen to the brain can result in life threatening errors during flight
Hypoxic Hypoxia
• Result of insufficient oxygen available to the body (high altitudes)
o Reduction in partial pressure of oxygen at high altitude
Hypemic Hypoxia
• Hypemic means “not enough blood”
• Results when the blood is unable to take up and transport sufficient oxygen to the cells in the body
o Most often occurs from CO poisoning because the hemoglobin, the actual blood molecule that
transports oxygen, is chemically unable to bind to oxygen molecules
o Reduced blood volume (donate blood, severe bleeding, etc.)
Stagnant Hypoxia
• Stagnant means “not flowing”
• Occurs when oxygen-rich blood in the lungs is not moving to the tissues that need it
o Heart failing to pump blood effectively
o Constricted artery
o Excessive Gs during flight
o Cold temperatures
2
References
• PHAK Chapter 17 – Aeromedical Factors
Introduction
• It is important for a pilot to be aware of the mental and physical standards required for flying
• Aeromedical factors involve a number of health and physiological factors that can have significant effects
on pilots in flight
Overview
• Medicals and how to obtain one in event of possible medical deficiency
• Hypoxia
• Hyperventilation
• Middle Ear and Sinus Problems
• Spatial Disorientation
o Spatial Illusions
o Optical Illusions
• Motion Sickness
• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
• Fatigue and Stress
• Dehydration
• Effects of Alcohol and Drugs
• Decompression Sickness – Scuba Diving
Medicals
Pilots must have a medical certificate, with few exceptions, to exercise the privileges of their airmen
certificates. However, once you obtain a medical certificate, you still must comply with FAR 61.53 which states
“a pilot cannot act as a crewmember on an aircraft if they know, or have reason to know, of any medical
condition that would make them unsafe to operate an aircraft.” (Medicals are “self-regulatory”).
How to Obtain a Medical Certificate
Medical Certificates are obtained from an AME (Aviation Medical Examiner). You can find a full list of AMEs in
your area on the FAA’s website. https://www.faa.gov/pilots/amelocator
In Case of a Medical Deficiency
At the discretion of the Federal Air Surgeon, a Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA) may be granted,
instead of an Authorization, to a person whose disqualifying condition is static or nonprogressive and who has
been found capable of performing airman duties without endangering public safety. A SODA does not expire
and authorizes a designated Examiner to issue a medical certificate of a specified class if the Examiner finds
that the condition described on the SODA has not adversely changed. In granting a SODA under the special
issuance section of part 67 (14 CFR 67.401), the Federal Air Surgeon specifies the class of medical certificate
authorized to be issued.
1
, Medical Certificate Classes and Durations
1st Class Medical
• Privileges: Used to exercise the privileges of an ATP Certificate.
• Privilege Duration: <40 = 12 calendar months, >40 = 6 calendar months.
• Total Duration: <40 = 60 calendar months, >40 = 24 calendar months.
2nd Class Medical
• Privileges: Used to exercise the privileges of a Commercial Pilot Certificate.
• Privilege Duration: <40 = 12 calendar months, >40 = 12 calendar months.
• Total Duration: <40 = 60 calendar months, >40 = 24 calendar months.
3rd Class Medical
• Privileges: Used to exercise the privileges of a Student Pilot (solo) or Private Pilot Certificate.
• Privilege Duration: <40 = 60 calendar months, >40 = 24 calendar months.
• Total Duration: <40 = 60 calendar months, >40 = 24 calendar months.
Medical Certificate Example
Remember, Medical Certificate Privileges will degrade as time passes. However, this does not change the
Medical Certificates Class. A 42 year old gentleman provides you with a 1st Class Medical Certificate. The
certificate is 18 months old.
• Which Class is the Medical Certificate? 1st • Which Privileges are still Valid? 3rd
Hypoxia
• Means “reduced oxygen” or “not enough oxygen”
• Lack of oxygen to the brain can result in life threatening errors during flight
Hypoxic Hypoxia
• Result of insufficient oxygen available to the body (high altitudes)
o Reduction in partial pressure of oxygen at high altitude
Hypemic Hypoxia
• Hypemic means “not enough blood”
• Results when the blood is unable to take up and transport sufficient oxygen to the cells in the body
o Most often occurs from CO poisoning because the hemoglobin, the actual blood molecule that
transports oxygen, is chemically unable to bind to oxygen molecules
o Reduced blood volume (donate blood, severe bleeding, etc.)
Stagnant Hypoxia
• Stagnant means “not flowing”
• Occurs when oxygen-rich blood in the lungs is not moving to the tissues that need it
o Heart failing to pump blood effectively
o Constricted artery
o Excessive Gs during flight
o Cold temperatures
2
