6		Flying and Health

Health and Flying 6

The more potent forms of analgesics (pain killers) may produce a significant decrement in performance. If such analgesics are required, the pain for which they are being taken generally indicates a condition which precludes flying.

Symptoms in the Air

Accidents and incidents have occurred as a result of aircrew flying whilst medically unfit and some have been associated with relatively trivial ailments. Although symptoms of colds, sore throats and abdominal upsets may cause little or no problem while on the ground, these may become a problem in the air by distracting the sufferer and degrading his/her performance.

The in-flight environment may also increase the severity of symptoms which may be minor when on the ground.

REMEMBER:

IF A PILOT IS SO UNWELL THAT MEDICATION IS REQUIRED, THEN HE/SHE MUST

CONSIDER HIMSELF/HERSELF UNFIT TO FLY.

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		Questions		6
Questions
1.	A pilot is 2 metres tall and weighs 80 kg, his BMI is:
	a.	22
	b.	24
	c.	18
	d.	20
2.	A pilot has a BMI of 26 and is 1.75 metres tall, his/her weight is:		6
	a.	92 kg		Questions
	b.	78.5 kg
	c.	85 kg
	d.	79.5 kg
3.	Using the BMI formula, when will pilots be considered overweight?
	a.	When they score over 30 for males and 29 for females
	b.	When they score over 26 for males and 22 for females
	c.	When they score 30 for males and 29 for females
	d.	When they score over 25 for males and 24 for females
4.	Using the BMI formula, when will a pilot be obese?
	a.	When they score over 30 for males and 28 for females
	b.	When they score over 26 for males and 29 for females
	c.	When they score over 30 for males and 29 for females
	d.	When they score over 32 for males and 26 for females
5.	What is the weekly level of alcohol consumption that will cause physical damage?
	a.	Consuming 22 units for men and 14 units for women
	b.	Consuming 21 units for men and 15 units for women
	c.	Consuming 24 units for men and 14 units for women
	d.	Consuming 21 units for men and 14 units for women
6.	What is the World Health Organization’s definition of alcoholism?
	Answer: “When the excessive use of alcohol repeatedly damages a person’s physical,
	mental or social life”
7.	At what rate does the body remove alcohol from the system?
	a.	Approximately 1.5 units an hour
	b.	Approximately 2 units an hour
	c.	Approximately 2.5 units an hour
	d.	Approximately 1 unit an hour
8.	What is the absolute minimum time a pilot should stop drinking before flying?
	a.	6 hours but it depends upon the amount of alcohol that has been consumed
	b.	24 hours but it depends upon the amount of alcohol that has been consumed
	c.	12 hours but it depends upon the amount of alcohol that has been consumed
	d.	8 hours but it depends upon the amount of alcohol that has been consumed

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		6		Questions
				9.	Which of the following diseases is considered to be the world’s biggest killer?
					a.	Typhoid
					b.	Malaria
					c.	Yellow Fever
					d.	Influenza
				10.	How much exercise is sufficient to reduce the risk of coronary disease?
					a.	Regular and raise the pulse by 100% for at least 20 minutes 2 times a week
	6				b.	Raise the pulse by 100% for at least 20 minutes 3 times a week
	Questions				c.	Raise the pulse by 100% for at least 30 minutes 3 times a week
					d.	Regular and raise the pulse by 100% for at least 20 minutes 3 times a week
				11.	What causes otic barotrauma and when is it likely to occur?
					a.	Blockage in the eustachian tube which is most likely to occur in the descent
					b.	Blockage in the eustachian tube which is most likely to occur in the climb
					c.	Blockage in the eustachian tube and around the eardrum which is most likely
						to occur in the descent
					d.	Blockage in the eustachian tube and around the eardrum which is most likely
						to occur in the climb
				12.	A prudent pilot should avoid flying for ..................... hours having consumed small
					amounts of alcohol.
					a.	12 hours
					b.	8 hours
					c.	24 hours
					d.	6 hours
				13.	The human body can tolerate a maximum short duration g-force of ............. in the
					.............. axis.
					a.	25g	vertical
					b.	45g	vertical
					c.	25g	fore/aft
					d.	-3g	fore/aft

14.The most common cause of in-flight incapacitation is:

a.heart attack

b.influenza

c.the common cold

d.gastroenteritis

15.If a passenger of a helicopter is feeling unwell due to the rotation of the rotors causing a stroboscopic effect, what is the best course of action?

a.Move the passenger away from the window

b.Give the passenger oxygen as soon as possible

c.Land as soon as possible and seek medical assistance

d.No action is necessary as the effect is not dangerous

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			Questions		6
	16.	The two types of radiation are:
		a.	galactic and sun spots
		b.	galactic and solar
		c.	high frequency and low frequency
		d.	solar flares and galactic
	17.	If, having tried all normal methods, the ears cannot be cleared in flight, the
		following action should be taken:
		a.	ignore and it will go away	6
		b.	descend to 10 000 ft, or MSA - whichever is the higher		Questions
		c.	seek medical advice as soon as possible
		d.	descend as quickly as possible to minimize pain
	18.	To remove mercury spillage ...................... must not be used:
		a.	water
		b.	white spirits
		c.	acid
		d.	compressed air
	19.	The best method for losing weight is:
		a.	the use of appetite suppressants
		b.	to take plenty of exercise
		c.	to go on a crash diet
		d.	to eat less
	20.	Hypoglycaemia can be caused by:
		a.	not eating regularly or fasting
		b.	too much sugar in the blood
		c.	excessive g-forces
		d.	stress
	21.	Trace Elements should be obtained from:
		a.	a healthy and balanced daily diet
		b.	the use of supplementary pills
		c.	a high-fibre diet
		d.	a high-fibre and very low-fat diet
	22.	Food poisoning normally takes effect within .................... of eating contaminated
		food.
		a.	30 minutes
		b.	60 minutes
		c.	90 minutes
		d.	120 minutes

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6 Questions

Questions 6

23.Alcohol is removed from the body at the rate of .......... milligrams per ..........

millilitres per hour.

a.	10	50
b.	10	100
c.	10	120
d.	15	100

24.Permanent damage to the body of a man may occur if the consumption of alcohol level is ...........units daily and .......... units weekly.

a.	5	20
b.	5	21
c.	5	22
d.	3	14

25.A pilot’s performance can be affected by an intake of caffeine above ............. mg and should limit him/herself to a daily intake of approximately ............ mg.

a.	100	100 - 500
b.	100	100 - 900
c.	200	250 - 300

d.200 200 - 600

26.Galactic or cosmic radiation :

a.decreases with altitude

b.increases as latitude increases

c.increases as latitude decreases

d.increases as longitude increases

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Questions 6

Questions 6

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