MOONEY
M20TN - MODEL TYPE-S
SECTION X
SAFETY INFORMATION
10 -- 11
AIRPLANE FLIGHT MANUAL
ORIGINAL ISSUE -- 04-02-2008
MEDICAL FACTS FOR PILOTS
GENERAL
Modern industry’s record in providing reliable equipment is very good. When the pilot enters the
airplane, he becomes an integral part of the man-machine system. He is just as essential to a
successful flight as the control surfaces. To ignore the pilot in pre-flight planning would be as
senseless as failing to inspect the integrity of the control surfaces or any other vital part of the
machine. The pilot himself has the responsibility for determining his reliability prior to entering
the airplane for flight. While piloting an airplane, an individual should be free of conditions which
are harmful to alertness, ability to make correct decisions, and rapid reaction time.
FATIGUE
Fatigue generally slows reaction times and causes foolish errors due to inattention. In addition to
the most common cause of fatigue, insufficient rest and loss of sleep, the pressure of business,
financial worries and family problems, can be contributing factors. If your fatigue is a factor prior
to a given flight, don’t fly. To prevent fatigue effects during long flights, keep mentally active by
making ground checks and radio-navigation position plots.
HYPOXIA
Hypoxia in simple terms is a lack of sufficient oxygen to keep the brain and other body tissues
functioning properly. There is wide individual variation in susceptibility to hypoxia. In addition to
progressively insufficient oxygen at higher altitudes, anything interfering with the blood’s ability
to carry oxygen can contribute to hypoxia (anemias, carbon monoxide, and certain drugs). Also,
alcohol and various drugs decrease the brain’s tolerance to hypoxia. Your body has no built in
alarm system to let you know when you are not getting enough oxygen. It is impossible to predict
when or where hypoxia will occur during a flight, or how it will manifest itself. A major early symp-
tom of hypoxia is an increased sense of well-being (referred to as euphoria). This progresses to
slow reactions, impaired thinking ability, unusual fatigue, and dull headache feeling.
Symptoms are slow but progressive, insidious in onset, and are most marked at altitudes starting
above 10,000 feet. Night vision, however, can be impaired starting at altitudes lower than 10,000
feet. Heavy smokers may experience early symptoms of hypoxia at altitudes lower than non--
smokers. Use oxygen on flights above 10,000 feet and at anytime when symptoms appear.
HYPERVENTILATION
Hyperventilation or over-breathing, is a disturbance of respiration that may occur in individuals
as a result of emotional tension or anxiety. Under conditions of emotional stress, fright, or pain,
breathing rate may increase, causing increased lung ventilation, although the carbon dioxide
output of the body cells does not increase. As a result, carbon dioxide is “washed out” of the
blood. The most common symptoms of hyperventilation are: dizziness; hot and cold sensations;
tingling of the hands, legs and feet; tetany; nausea; sleepiness; and finally unconsciousness.
Should symptoms occur that cannot definitely be identified as either hypoxia or hyperventilation,
try three or four deep breaths of oxygen. The symptoms should improve markedly if the condition
was hypoxia (recovery from hypoxia is rapid). If the symptoms persist, discontinue use of oxy-
gen; consciously slow your breathing rate until symptoms clear; then resume normal breathing
rate. Normal breathing can be aided by talking aloud.
ALCOHOL
Common sense and scientific evidence dictate that you not fly as a crew member while under the
influence of alcohol. Even small amounts of alcohol in the human system can adversely affect
judgment and decision making abilities. FAR 91.11 states “(a) No person may act as a crew
member - (1) within 8 hours after the consumption of any alcoholic beverage.”
Tests indicate that as a general rule, 2 ounces (.06 liters) of alcohol at 15,000 feet produce the
same adverse effects as 6 ounces (.18 liters) at sea level. In other words, the higher you get, “the
higher you get.”
