Pilot Physiological Factors

easily by an experienced pilot. by an ability to overcome sleep deprivation. as being in an impaired state.

Judgment and decision-making abilities can be adversely affected by even small amounts of alcohol. A small amount of alcohol increases vision acuity. Consuming an equal amount of water will increase the destruction of alcohol and alleviate a hangover.

clear days. hazy days. cloudy nights.

not exceed 10 degrees and view each sector at least 1 second. use peripheral vision by scanning small sectors and utilizing off-center viewing. be 30 degrees and view each sector for at least 3 seconds.

peripheral vision by scanning small sectors and utilizing off-center viewing. a series of short, regularly spaced eye movements to search each 10-degree sector. regularly spaced concentration on the 3-, 9-, and 12-o’clock positions.

concentrate on relative movement detected in the peripheral vision area. systematically focus on different segments of the sky for short intervals. continuously scan the sky from right to left.

All traffic or terrain features appear to be farther away than their actual distance. Haze causes the eyes to focus at infinity. The eyes tend to overwork in haze and do not detect relative movement easily.

The pilot is lazy and rushes to get done quickly. The pilot hurries to get done in order to rest. Fatigue may not be apparent to a pilot until serious errors are made (an impaired pilot is a dangerous pilot).

slowing the breathing rate, breathing into a paper bag, or talking aloud. increasing the breathing rate in order to increase lung ventilation. breathing spontaneously and deeply or gaining mental control of the situation.

An extremely slow rate of breathing and insufficient oxygen. Emotional tension, anxiety, or fear. The excessive consumption of alcohol.