A PSYCHIATRIST TOLD ME SO! Jim Trusty 2011 I flew with a doctor/pilot recently and did not feel he was in total control of the airplane at any time. According to him, it is normal for humans to forget a particular skill stored in their memory bank if they go … Continue reading FROM THE LOGBOOK: IT’S NOT MY FAULT!
Category: Medical Articles
FROM THE LOGBOOK: THE DREADED FAA PHYSICAL EXAM
. . . and some proven tips on how to pass it . . .OR NOT! Jim Trusty 2012 On the road back from my semi-annual FAA Physical, I thought about writing this article in hopes that it might help someone else about to face this ordeal. I really wanted to point out some of … Continue reading FROM THE LOGBOOK: THE DREADED FAA PHYSICAL EXAM
Medical Handbook For Pilots Conclusion
The fact that an individual holds a pilot's license does not guarantee that he is a good pilot. Nor does the fact that he has managed to survive a number of years of flying. We all know pilots who have been living on borrowed time. The good pilot is well trained, familiar with his aircraft, … Continue reading Medical Handbook For Pilots Conclusion
Medical Handbook For Pilots Chapter 20 – The Flying passenger
Passengers come in all sizes, shapes, and temperaments. It is not uncommon for a pilot to take up a friend who is ordinarily calm and relaxed, only to find that he becomes completely unnerved and panicky during some incidental flight mishap. All of us operate at two levels: the rational and the emotional. Our daily … Continue reading Medical Handbook For Pilots Chapter 20 – The Flying passenger
Medical Handbook For Pilots Chapter 19 – Some Psychological Aspects of Flying
Your attitudes and general mental state are just as important to safe flight as the condition of your aircraft. Any disturbing feelings which affect your ability to concentrate are a potential threat. These include anger, fear, frustration, depression, worry, and anxiety. A certain amount of anxiety is inevitable in flying. In small amounts, anxiety is … Continue reading Medical Handbook For Pilots Chapter 19 – Some Psychological Aspects of Flying
Medical Handbook For Pilots Chapter 18 – Age
At what age are you considered an "undependable" pilot? The natural process of aging is of more interest to you as a pilot than for most other groups because of the exacting demands on individual abilities and capacities. It is natural and expected that some physical components and sensory functions will deteriorate somewhat as you … Continue reading Medical Handbook For Pilots Chapter 18 – Age
Medical Handbook For Pilots Chapter 17 – Noise
Noise has always been accepted as one of the prices to be paid for the pleasure and convenience of flying. However, if you are not armed with the knowledge of certain facts about aircraft noise, the price may be high. Your hearing may become permanently impaired. Aeronautical engineers have attempted to cut down aircraft noise … Continue reading Medical Handbook For Pilots Chapter 17 – Noise
Medical Handbook For Pilots Chapter 16 – Fatigue
Fatigue is a general term which is difficult to define medically. Usually thought of simply as "tiredness," fatigue may be more aptly described as a depletion of body energy reserves, leading to below-par performance. Because fatigue towers your efficiency as a pilot, you should understand its causes and prevention. Fatigue falls into two broad categories: … Continue reading Medical Handbook For Pilots Chapter 16 – Fatigue
Medical Handbook For Pilots Chapter 15 – Motion Sickness
Although motion sickness is uncommon among experienced pilots, it does occur once in a while. If you have ever been its victim, you know how uncomfortable it is. Most important, it jeopardizes your flying efficiency-particularly in turbulent weather and in instrument conditions when peak skill is required. Student pilots are frequently surprised by an uneasiness … Continue reading Medical Handbook For Pilots Chapter 15 – Motion Sickness
Medical Handbook For Pilots Chapter 14 – Disorientation (Vertigo)
An archaic definition of disorientation literally meant "difficulty in facing the east." To the pilot, it more often means "Which way is up?" Disorientation, or vertigo, is actually a state of temporary spatial confusion resulting from misleading information sent to the brain by various sensory organs. The body's elaborate navigational system was superbly designed for … Continue reading Medical Handbook For Pilots Chapter 14 – Disorientation (Vertigo)