Human Performance and Limitations
Physiology of flight
Understand hypoxia, hyperventilation, and their symptoms, and how altitude affects them. Learn about spatial disorientation, especially in helicopters where vibration and visual illusions are common. Study night vision and the effects of fatigue and dehydration.
Decision making and stress
Know the decision-making models and how stress, fatigue, and workload degrade judgement. Understand the difference between acute and chronic fatigue and how they affect reaction time.
Crew and communication
Study threat and error management, situational awareness, and communication in the cockpit. Recognise the hazards of complacency and get-there pressure.
Worked example
Rule of thumb: if you feel light-headed, tingly, or euphoric at altitude, suspect hypoxia first - descend and use supplemental oxygen if available. Do not assume hyperventilation until hypoxia is excluded.
Traps
Questions often test symptom overlap between hypoxia and hyperventilation, or ask which illusion causes a specific misperception. Read the scenario carefully for fatigue or stress cues.