Hypoxia Training for General Aviation Pilots
Faculty Mentor Name
Tim Holt, Jacqueline Luedtke, Jennah Perry
Format Preference
Poster
Abstract
Hypoxia is a lack of oxygen throughout the body which can be caused by several factors at any altitude. General Aviation (GA) pilots may argue that most GA aircraft cannot attain the required altitudes where one might be more affected by hypoxia, but that very attitude makes them more susceptible to hypoxia. Unlike airline or military pilots, there are no specific requirements for GA pilots to receive flight physiology training or to report hypoxic events to safety or governing agencies. Without reports, records, or statistics on hypoxia, there is no way to observe trends throughout the years which could help prevent other GA pilots from experiencing the same hazard.
To attain more information for this research on GA pilots’ experiences with hypoxia, Embry-Riddle requested Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and Curt Lewis & Associates, a safety forum and recommendation service for the aviation industry, to distribute an anonymous survey via electronic newsletter to collect hypoxia data. The information attained was analyzed to determine how often hypoxia occurs with GA pilots, reporting statistics, and how effective flight physiology training is for the GA population. The data obtained from the survey was also used to research and evaluate current training courses in university aviation programs. A new and improved flight physiology training program, which focuses on hypoxia awareness along with other common issues experienced at high altitudes, will be outlined based on survey data and the success of current training programs.
Poster Presentation
IGNITE Grant Award
Location
AC1-Atrium, Eagle Gym
Start Date
3-23-2018 11:00 AM
End Date
3-23-2018 9:00 PM
Hypoxia Training for General Aviation Pilots
AC1-Atrium, Eagle Gym
Hypoxia is a lack of oxygen throughout the body which can be caused by several factors at any altitude. General Aviation (GA) pilots may argue that most GA aircraft cannot attain the required altitudes where one might be more affected by hypoxia, but that very attitude makes them more susceptible to hypoxia. Unlike airline or military pilots, there are no specific requirements for GA pilots to receive flight physiology training or to report hypoxic events to safety or governing agencies. Without reports, records, or statistics on hypoxia, there is no way to observe trends throughout the years which could help prevent other GA pilots from experiencing the same hazard.
To attain more information for this research on GA pilots’ experiences with hypoxia, Embry-Riddle requested Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and Curt Lewis & Associates, a safety forum and recommendation service for the aviation industry, to distribute an anonymous survey via electronic newsletter to collect hypoxia data. The information attained was analyzed to determine how often hypoxia occurs with GA pilots, reporting statistics, and how effective flight physiology training is for the GA population. The data obtained from the survey was also used to research and evaluate current training courses in university aviation programs. A new and improved flight physiology training program, which focuses on hypoxia awareness along with other common issues experienced at high altitudes, will be outlined based on survey data and the success of current training programs.
Poster Presentation
IGNITE Grant Award