Chapter 18: Aircraft Recorders

Aircraft Recorders have been around since the first airplane was created. Everything gets recorded these days, cockpit voice, maintenance, computers, and flight data. All of these recorders help aid an investigator when they are investigating an aircraft accident. Voice recorders currently record 30 minutes, then erases itself and records another 30 minute segment. The NTSB is currently trying to create a voice recorder that records up to two hours so that in the event of an accident, they have more audio to work with and can examine more of the events prior to the accident. I think the voice recorders are a great tool to have, especially when you consider aeromedical factors. This tool can help evaluate the condition of the pilot prior to the accident and help an investigator better determine what aeromedical factors effected the pilot.

Air Detective Tips Week 2

Human Factors and Aeromedical Factors are brother and sister. In the event of an accident caused by human factors, Aeromedical factors will also be taken into account. An investigator must find out the personal, medical. and life style history of the operator to determine the cause of an aeromedical factor. A good example to use is Delta Flight 554. Even though this pilot was very experienced with a lot of hours under his belt, He was using mono vision contact lenses, which are not approved for flight by the FAA, instead of glasses during a dark rainy night. He was unable to find clear vision references in the dark and rainy weather as well as being over the water. In the end, he had steepened the angle of a approach too far thinking he was going to hit the runway but instead shaved his landing gear off.

I chose this topic because as a crew chief on UH-60's, I should know the basics of aeromedical factors in aviation. I believe writing this paper will help expand my knowledge on the subject.

Health issues a pilot or crew member may experience in flight is Hypoxia. Hypoxia is caused by not having enough oxygen supplied to the body. There are four types of Hypoxia; Hypemic, Hypoxic, histoxic, and stagnant hypoxia. 

Hypemic Hipoxia: This type of hypoxia occurs when there is not enough oxygen in the blood. Hypemic actually means "not enough blood". Your blood cells serve as transportation for oxygen, the lack of blood cells transporting oxygen results in hyperemic hypoxia. Candidates for hyperemic hypoxia can be an anemic person, or a blood donor. This lack of blood volume is what prevents oxygen from moving in the body fluidly.

Hypoxic Hypoxia: A clear example of hypoxic hypoxia is a blocked airway. Not being able to breathe. Hypoxic hypoxia results from oxygen not belong available for the body to inhale. 

Stagnant Hypoxia: Stagnant means "not moving". This hypoxia results when the oxygen in the body is not moving to the tissues of the body. An example of stagnant hypoxia can relate to an extremity of the body falling asleep. This reaction is caused by the loss of blood flow to that extremity. Cold temperatures, excessive acceleration and G forces can create this type of hypoxia.

Histoxic Hypoxia: This type of hypoxia results in the impairment of cellular respiration. The blood cell are unable to use the oxygen that is available to them. Histo means tissues or cells where as toxic obviously means poisonous. This type of hypoxia is resulted by alcohol and drug use. "Research has shown that drinking one ounce of alcohol can equate to about an additional 2,000 feet of physiological altitude" according to the pilot handbook provided by the FAA.GOV website.

Symptoms to be aware of when hypoxia occurs are: cyanosis, headache, decreased reaction time, impaired judgement, euphoria, visual impairment, drowsiness, light headed and dizzy sensations, tingling in the fingers or toes, and numbness. When these symptoms occur, you should immediately decrease elevation or begin supplemental oxygen. When a pilot or crew member experiences hypoxia, they may not know that they are experiencing it. They can develop a false sense of security and will have have a hard time interpreting the instruments. 

Overview

Welcome to my blog! I chose this topic to better educate myself on the topic.