ATPL - 040.02.02 LO

040_02_02.txt

02.01 The Different Senses
01 List the different senses.

02.02 Central, Peripheral, and Autonomic Nervous System
01 Define the term ‘sensory threshold’.
02 Define the term ‘sensitivity’, especially in the context of vision.
03 Give examples of sensory adaptation.
04 Define the term ‘habituation’ and state its implication for flight safety.

02.03 Vision
01 Name the most important parts of the eye and the pathway to the visual cortex.
02 State the basic functions of the parts of the eye.
03 Define ‘accommodation’.
04 Distinguish between the functions of the rod and cone cells.
05 Describe the distribution of rod and cone cells in the retina and explain their relevance to vision.
06 Explain the terms ‘visual acuity’, ‘visual field’, ‘central vision’, ‘peripheral vision’, and ‘the fovea’, and explain their function in the process of vision.
07 List the factors that may degrade visual acuity and the importance of ‘lookout’.
08 State the limitations of night vision and the different scanning techniques at both night and day.
09 State the time necessary for the eye to adapt to bright light and the dark.
10 State the effect of hypoxia, smoking, and altitude in excess of 5,000 ft on night vision.
11 Explain the nature of colour blindness.
12 Distinguish between monocular and binocular vision.
13 Explain the basis of depth perception and its relevance to flight performance.
14 List the possible monocular cues for depth perception.
15 State that for high-energy blue light and UV rays, sunglasses can prevent damage to the retina.
16 Explain long-sightedness, short-sightedness, and astigmatism.
17 List the causes of and the precautions that may be taken to reduce the probability of vision loss due to: presbyopia; cataract; glaucoma.
18 List the types of sunglasses that could cause perception problems in flight.
19 List the measures that may be taken to protect oneself from flash blindness.
20 State the possible problems associated with contact lenses.
21 State the current rules/regulations governing the wearing of corrective spectacles and contact lenses when operating as a pilot.
22 Explain the significance of the ‘blind spot’ on the retina in detecting other traffic in flight.

02.04 Hearing
01 State the basic parts and functions of the outer, the middle, and the inner ear.
02 Differentiate between the functions of the vestibular apparatus and the cochlea in the inner ear.
03 Define the main causes of the following hearing defects/loss: ‘conductive deafness’; ‘noise-induced hearing loss’ (NIHL); ‘presbycusis’.
04 Summarise the effects of environmental noise on hearing.
05 State the decibel level of received noise that will cause NIHL.
06 Identify the potential occupational risks that may cause hearing loss.
07 List the main sources of hearing loss in the flying environment.
08 List the precautions that may be taken to reduce the probability of onset of hearing loss.

02.05 Equilibrium
01 List the main elements of the vestibular apparatus.
02 State the functions of the vestibular apparatus on the ground and in flight.
03 Distinguish between the component parts of the vestibular apparatus in the detection of linear and angular acceleration as well as on gravity.
04 Explain how the semi-circular canals are stimulated.
05 Describe air sickness and its accompanying symptoms.
06 List the causes of air sickness.
07 Describe the necessary actions to be taken to counteract the symptoms of air sickness.

02.06 Integration of Sensory Inputs
01 State the interaction between vision, equilibrium, proprioception and hearing to obtain spatial orientation in flight.
02 Define the term ‘illusion’.
03 Give examples of visual illusions based on shape constancy, size constancy, aerial perspective, atmospheric perspective, the absence of focal or ambient cues, autokinesis, vectional false horizons, field myopia, and surface planes.
04 Relate these illusions to problems that may be experienced in flight and identify the danger attached to them.
05 List approach and landing illusions for slope of the runway, black-hole approach, and terrain around runway, and state the danger involved with recommendations to avoid or counteract the problems with high or low approach or flare at the wrong time.
06 State the problems associated with flickering lights (strobe lights, anti-collision lights, propellers and rotors under certain light conditions, etc.).
07 Describe vestibular illusions caused by the angular accelerations (the Leans, Coriolis) and linear accelerations (somatogravic, G-effect).
08 Relate the above-mentioned vestibular illusions to problems encountered in flight and state the dangers involved.
09 State that the ‘seat-of-the-pants’ sense is completely unreliable when visual contact with the ground is lost or when flying in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) or with a poor visual horizon.
10 Differentiate between vertigo, Coriolis Effect and spatial disorientation.
11 List the measures to prevent or overcome spatial disorientation.

03.02 Body Rhythm and Sleep
01 Name some internal body rhythms and their relevance to sleep. Explain that the most important of which is body temperature.
02 Explain the term ‘circadian rhythm’.
03 State the approximate duration of a ‘free-running’ rhythm.
04 Explain the significance of the ‘internal clock’ in regulating the normal circadian rhythm.
05 State the effect of the circadian rhythm of body temperature on an individual’s performance standard and on an individual’s sleep patterns.
06 List and describe the stages of a sleep cycle.
07 Differentiate between rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM sleep.
08 Explain the function of sleep and describe the effects of insufficient sleep on performance.
09 Explain the simple calculations for the sleep/wake credit/debit situation.
10 Explain how sleep debit can become cumulative.
11 State the time formula for the adjustment of body rhythms to the new local time scale after crossing time zones.
12 State the problems caused by circadian dysrhythmia (jet lag) with regard to an individual’s performance and sleep.
13 Differentiate between the effects of westbound and eastbound travel.
14 Explain the interactive effects of circadian rhythm and vigilance on a pilot’s performance during flight as the duty day elapses.
15 Describe the main effects of lack of sleep on an individual’s performance. 16 List the possible strategies to cope with jet lag.

03.03 Problem Areas for Pilots
01 State the role of the Eustachian tube in equalising pressure between the middle ear and the environment.
02 State that the in-flight environment may increase the severity of symptoms which may be minor while on the ground.
03 List the negative effects of suffering from colds or flu on flight operations especially with regard to the middle ear, the sinuses, and the teeth.
04 State when a pilot should seek medical advice from an aeromedical examiner (AME) or aeromedical centre (AeMC).
05 Describe the measures to prevent or clear problems due to pressure changes during flight.
06 Define ‘barotrauma’.
07 Differentiate between otic, sinus, gastrointestinal and aerodontalgia (of the teeth) barotraumas and explain avoidance strategies.
08 Explain why the effects of otic barotrauma can be worse in the descent.
09 State the effects of gastrointestinal upsets that may occur during flight.
10 List the precautions that gastrointestinal upsets.
11 Indicate the major sources of gastrointestinal upsets.
12 Define ‘obesity’.
13 State the following harmful effects obesity can cause: possibility of developing coronary problems; increased chances of developing diabetes; reduced ability to withstand G-forces; development of problems with the joints of the limbs; general circulatory problems; reduced ability to cope with hypoxia or decompression sickness; sleep apnoea.
14 Describe the problems associated with Type 2 (mostly adult) diabetes: risk factors; insulin resistance; complications (vascular, neurological) and the consequences for the medical licence; pilots are not protected from Type 2 diabetes more than other people.
15 Describe the typical back problems (unspecific back pain, slipped disc) that pilots have. Explain also the ways of preventing and treating these problems: good sitting posture; lumbar support; good physical condition; in-flight exercise, if possible; physiotherapy.
16 Stress the importance of and methods to be adopted by aircrew, especially when travelling abroad, to avoid contaminated food and liquids.
17 List the major contaminating sources in foodstuffs.
18 State the major constituents of a healthy diet.
19 State the measure to avoid hypoglycaemia.
20 State the importance of adequate hydration.
21 List the problems associated with operating in tropical climates.
22 State the possible causes/sources of incapacitation in tropical countries with reference to: standards of hygiene; quality of water supply; insect borne diseases; parasitic worms; rabies or other diseases that may be spread through contact with animals; sexually transmitted diseases.
23 State the precautions to be taken to reduce the risks of developing problems in tropical areas.
24 State the major infectious diseases that may severely incapacitate or kill individuals.
25 State the precautions that must be taken to ensure that disease-carrying insects are not transported between areas.

03.04 Intoxication
01 State the harmful effects of tobacco on: the respiratory system; the cardiovascular system; the ability to resist hypoxia; the ability to withstand G-forces; night vision.
02 Indicate the level of caffeine dosage at which performance is degraded.
03 Besides coffee, indicate other beverages containing caffeine.
04 State the maximum acceptable limit of alcohol for flight crew according to the applicable regulations.
05 State the effects of alcohol consumption on: the ability to reason; inhibitions and self-control; vision; the sense of balance and sensory illusions; sleep patterns; hypoxia.
06 State the effects alcohol may have if consumed together with other drugs.
07 List the signs and symptoms of alcoholism.
08 List the factors that may be associated with the development of alcoholism.
09 Define the ‘unit’ of alcohol and state the approximate elimination rate from the blood.
10 State the maximum daily and weekly intake of units of alcohol which may be consumed without causing damage to the organs and systems of the human body.
11 Discuss the actions that might be taken if a crew member is suspected of being an alcoholic.
12 State the dangers associated with the use of non-prescription drugs.
13 State the side effects of common non-prescription drugs used to treat colds, flu, hay fever and other allergies, especially medicines containing antihistamine preparations.
14 Interpret the rules relevant to using (prescription or non-prescription) drugs that the pilot has not used before.
15 Interpret the general rule that ‘if a pilot is so unwell that they require any medication, then they should consider themselves unfit to fly’.
16 List those materials present in an aircraft which may, when uncontained, cause severe health problems.
17 List those aircraft-component parts which if burnt may give off toxic fumes.

03.05 Incapacitation in Flight
01 State that incapacitation is most dangerous when its onset is insidious.
02 List the major causes of in-flight incapacitation.
03 State the importance of crew to be able to recognise and promptly react upon incapacitation of other crew members, should it occur in flight.
04 Explain methods and procedures to cope with incapacitation in flight.