Human Performance and Limitations
Core concepts
This domain examines the pilot as a system component: sensory systems (vision, hearing, balance), information processing, attention and workload, decision-making, stress and fatigue, and the physiological hazards of altitude (hypoxia, decompression, spatial disorientation, illusions). You must understand the vestibular system and how it produces somatogravic and somatogyral illusions, the difference between hypoxia types, and the effects of carbon monoxide and alcohol.
Traps to watch
Questions frequently test the difference between hyperventilation and hypoxia - both cause dizziness and tingling, but hyperventilation improves with slowed breathing while hypoxia requires oxygen. Another trap is the black-hole approach illusion, where a lack of visual cues makes a pilot fly too low. Expect questions on the danger of expectation and confirmation bias, and on fatigue: chronic fatigue is not fixed by one good night's sleep. Alcohol and drugs have regulatory time limits that are minimums, not safe limits.
Worked example
On a dark night with no horizon, a pilot descending on approach sees the runway lights appear higher than expected and descends below the correct path. This is the black-hole illusion; the remedy is to rely on instruments and use a published glide path.
Rule of thumb
When symptoms could be hypoxia or hyperventilation, treat as hypoxia first - give 100% oxygen.