Human Performance and Limitations
The human as a system
This domain examines the pilot as part of the aviation system: sensory physiology, information processing, decision-making, workload, fatigue, stress, and the effects of altitude and acceleration. Understand the vestibular system and how it produces illusions, the limits of attention and memory, and the role of automation. Know the signs of hypoxia, hyperventilation and decompression sickness and the correct responses.
Traps
Questions often test whether a symptom is physiological or psychological in origin, or whether a given illusion causes a pilot to turn the wrong way. Another trap is confusing the correct response to hypoxia with the correct response to hyperventilation, which look similar but require different actions. Watch for items that assume a fatigued pilot can simply try harder; the correct answer usually involves rest, not effort.
Worked example
A pilot in cloud without visual reference feels a sensation of turning. The reasoning: the vestibular system can produce a false sensation, so the correct action is to disregard it and rely on instruments, not to correct with control input based on the sensation.
Rule of thumb
When the body disagrees with the instruments, trust the instruments. When symptoms appear, first consider oxygen, then rest, then workload reduction.