Human Performance and Limitations
Physiology of flight
Understand hypoxia (hypoxic, hypemic, stagnant, histotoxic), its symptoms and time of useful consciousness, and the role of supplemental oxygen. Study hyperventilation versus hypoxia, ear and sinus problems during pressure changes, spatial disorientation (somatogravic and somatogyral illusions, leans), and the vestibular limitations that make instrument reference essential.
Vision and noise
Know the different functions of rods and cones, foveal versus peripheral vision, dark adaptation, and the danger of empty-field myopia at night. Understand why scanning in short, regular eye movements is required.
Health, stress and fatigue
Study the effects of alcohol, drugs, smoking, dehydration, heat and cold, and the concept of fitness to fly. Know the IMSAFE checklist and the role of stress, fatigue and circadian rhythm in error. Understand situational awareness, workload management, decision-making models and the hazardous attitudes (anti-authority, impulsivity, invulnerability, machismo, resignation) with their antidotes.
Traps
Questions often present hypoxia symptoms that look like hyperventilation, or ask which illusion occurs during acceleration (somatogravic - a false climb sensation). Remember that carbon monoxide causes hypemic hypoxia and that alcohol impairs judgement long after subjective recovery.
Rule of thumb
No alcohol within 8 hours and never with a blood alcohol above the legal limit; "8 hours bottle to throttle" is a minimum, not a guarantee. If in doubt about fitness, do not fly.