Aviation Ergonomy

Lecturer:

Tutor:

Supervisor:

Department of Measurement

Synopsis:

It is necessary for student to understand all the components of air environment and the change that occur as result of flight activity. Man was created as terrestrial being and must be protected as he ventures into the air. His vital physiologic functions require a pressure atmosphere. His sensory system is not adapted to rapid changes in acceleration or to very gradual acceleration alterations. Mechanical forces, such as noise, vibration, and impact, can degrade the auditory system or damage musculoskeletal system. All of these stressors and more may impinge on the aviator. Therefore, he must be protected, as must be the passenger.

Requirements:

No specific requirements are necessary.

Syllabus of lectures:

1. The Atmosphere. Respiration and Circulation. Exchange of O2 and CO2. Changes in the composition of gas

2. Hypoxia. Times of useful consciousness. Prevention of hypoxia at altitude. Hyperventilation in flight

3. Oxygen equipment. Principles of aircraft equipment, masks and emergency oxygen supplies. Pressure breathing

4. Cabin Pressurisation - physiological requirements. Gas expansion/Compression, effects on cavities. Decompression

5. Acceleration Environment in Flight, sustained +G Acceleration, effects on the body. Tolerance of +G acceleration. Protection

6. Short Duration Acceleration. Effects of posture, muscular tensing and restraint systems. Escape from Aircraft in Flight (Limits)

7. Thermal Stress. Regulation of body temperature. Flying Clothing. Cold stress. Immediate treatment of heat illness, cold injury

8. Vision. Physiology of the eye and psychophysiology of perception. Hazards to vision in flight and the principles of protection

9. Hearing. Physiology of the ear. Effect of noise, hearing loss, impaired performance, fatigue. Reducing hazard, protection

10. Vibration. Affects of body vibration, including those on vision, motor task and speech, fatigue and motion sickness

11. Orientation and Disorientation. Mechanisms of orientation in flight. Spatial disorientation, management. Air Sickness

12. Human Performance. Information processing, sensory filtering, limitation, memory. Attention, expectancy and motivation

13. Toxic Substances. (Effects and avoidance of fuels, lubricants, products of combustion etc. Toxic contamination of cabin

14. Health. Personal factors and performance in flight. Circadian rhythms. Work scheduling. Effects of illness, drugs. First Aid

Syllabus of tutorials:

Study Objective:

Study materials:

1. Fundamentals of Aerospace Medicine. Ed. deHart, Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia 1985

2. Aviation Medicine, Ed. Ernsting, King, London, Butterworths, 1988

3. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine. Official Journal of the Aerospace Medical Associatio

Note:

Further information:

No time-table has been prepared for this course

The course is a part of the following study plans:

• Cybernetics and Measurements - Control Engineering- structured studies (compulsory elective course)
• Cybernetics and Measurements - Artificial Intelligence- structured studies (compulsory elective course)
• Cybernetics and Measurements - Measurement and Instrumentation Systems- structured studies (compulsory elective course)
• Cybernetics and Measurements - Aeronautical Engineering and Control Systems- structured studies (compulsory elective course)