Physiological Effects & Pilot Fitness Flashcards
7 cards from real FAA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Physiological Effects & Pilot Fitness flashcards as text
What is the primary risk of fatigue during remote UAS operations?
Answer: Impaired judgment, slower reaction time, and increased error rate
Fatigue most critically degrades cognitive function, slowing reaction times and impairing the decision-making needed to respond safely to inflight emergencies.
Which visual scanning technique is recommended to help remote pilots detect other aircraft in the airspace around them?
Answer: Systematic sector-by-sector scanning of the sky in short, focused segments
Systematic sector scanning, moving the eyes in short, overlapping segments across the sky, is the most effective method for detecting other aircraft and maintaining situational awareness.
What is spatial disorientation in the context of small UAS operations?
Answer: Loss of accurate perception of the drone's attitude, altitude, or position relative to the ground
Spatial disorientation occurs when a remote pilot loses accurate situational awareness of the drone's orientation or position, which can lead to loss of control.
A remote pilot is preparing for an afternoon flight but realizes they slept only 4 hours the previous night. What is the BEST course of action?
Answer: Postpone or cancel the flight until adequately rested
Significant sleep deprivation impairs judgment and reaction time similarly to alcohol intoxication, and the safest action is to postpone the operation.
How can looking directly into the sun affect a remote pilot's ability to maintain visual line of sight with a UAS?
Answer: It causes temporary blindness or loss of contrast that can make the drone difficult or impossible to see
Glare from the sun can temporarily overpower the visual system, making it difficult to detect and track a small UAS against a bright background.
Which of the following is a recognized sign that a remote pilot may be experiencing fatigue during an operation?
Answer: Making more control inputs and errors than usual
Increased error rate and more frequent control corrections are classic symptoms of fatigue, indicating degraded fine motor control and attention.
What role does hypoxia play for a remote pilot conducting ground-based UAS operations at high-elevation locations such as mountainous terrain?
Answer: Mild hypoxia at elevations above approximately 5,000–8,000 feet can subtly impair judgment and mental performance
Even at moderate elevations, reduced oxygen availability can impair cognitive function, and remote pilots at high-altitude ground sites should be aware of potential hypoxic effects.