3. Risk Assessment: Low Safety Considerations: None Environmental Considerations: None Evaluation: You will evaluated on this block of instruction during the 40 question Aeromedical Review Exam

4. Terminal Learning Objective ACTION: Manage the effects of Spatial Disorientation CONDITION: While serving as an aircrew member STANDARD: In accordance with The Fundamentals of Aerospace Medicine and FM 3-04.301

5. Enabling Learning Objective #1 ACTION: Identify the mechanisms of equilibrium CONDITION: Given a list STANDARD: In accordance with The Fundamentals of Aerospace Medicine and FM 3-04.301

6. Mechanisms of Equilibrium Visual Vestibular Proprioceptive

8. Enabling Learning Objective #2 ACTION: Identify the role of vision in orientation CONDITION: Given a list STANDARD: In accordance with The Fundamentals of Aerospace Medicine and FM 3-04.301

9. Role of Vision Vision is the most reliable sense used during flightVision is the most reliable sense used during flight 80% of orientation while flying is dependent on the visual sense80% of orientation while flying is dependent on the visual sense Visual Vestibular Proprioceptive 80% 15% 5%

10. The visual system is one of three mechanisms that integrate to form a complete mental picture of one’s orientation (perception, recognition, identification) The system consists of two modes Visual System Focal (Central) vision =30 degrees Ambient (Peripheral) vision = 175 degrees

11. Focal Vision Also called Central Vision Done consciously Presents us with clear view Allows us to view colors Determines distance and depth perception

12. Ambient Vision Also called Peripheral Vision Done subconsciously Detects motion and attitude cues Helps to provide balance Poor acuity properties

14. Enabling Learning Objective #3 ACTION: Identify the visual illusions CONDITION: Given a list STANDARD: In accordance with The Fundamentals of Aerospace Medicine and FM 3-04.301

15. Visual Illusions False horizons Fascination/fixation Flicker vertigo Confusion with ground lights Relative motion Altered planes of reference Structural Height/depth perception Crater illusion Size distance Autokinesis Reverse perspective

16. False Vertical/Horizontal Cues (False Horizon) Occurs when the pilot subconsciously chooses the wrong reference point for orientation

17. Fascination/Fixation TARGET HYPNOSIS TASK SATURATION

18. Target Hypnosis

19. Flicker Vertigo Caused by sunlight flickering through rotor blades Rotating beacons reflecting against an overcast sky or against the windscreen

20. Confusion with Ground Lights Along seashores or rural areas Ground lights may be perceived as celestial lights Celestial lights may be perceived as ground lights Along seashores or rural areas Ground lights may be perceived as celestial lights Celestial lights may be perceived as ground lights

26. Falsely perceived self-motion in relation to the real motion of another object Relative Motion

27. Altered Planes of Reference Inaccurate sense of altitude, attitude, or flight path Mountains / Valleys Inaccurate sense of altitude, attitude, or flight path Mountains / Valleys

29. Structural Illusion The phenomenon in which objects become distorted when visual obscurants are present such as rain, snow, sleet, or the curvature of a wind screen

30. Due to a lack of visual cues, the pilots or crew members may perceive that they are higher than they actually are

35. Crater Illusion An illusion that the aircraft is landing into a hole/ crater or on a upward slope, created when the search light is positioned too far under the nose of the aircraft Crater Illusion

36. Size- Distance Illusion Large Wide Runway Narrow Runway Am I too Low ? Am I too High ? 24

38. Autokinetic Illusion Occurs when a static light appears to move when it is stared at for several seconds Occurs when a static light appears to move when it is stared at for several seconds

39. At night, an aircraft may appear to be going away when it is actually approaching Reversable Perspective

42. Enabling Learning Objective #4 ACTION: Identify the function of the vestibular system CONDITION: Given a list STANDARD: In accordance with The Fundamentals of Aerospace Medicine and FM 3-04.301

43. Components of The Vestibular System Located within the middle ear Semicircular Canals Otolith Organs

44. Functions of The Vestibular System Visual tracking Reflex information Orientation without vision

45. Visual Tracking Maintains focus of the retinal image

46. Reflex Information

47. Orientation Without Vision

48. Functions Of The Semicircular Canals Responsive to angular acceleration and deceleration Change in both speed and direction Detects yaw, pitch, and roll

49. Semicircular Canals Right angles to each other Contains endolymph fluid

50. Function Of The Otolith Organs The Otolith organs are stimulated by gravity and linear accelerations Change in speed without a change in direction Sensitive to linear acceleration and deceleration (forward, aft, up, and down)

51. Function of The Otolith Organs FORWARD ACCELERATION FORWARD DECELERATION FALSE SENSATION OF BACKWARD UPRIGHT TILT FORWARD TILT BACKWARD TRUE SENSATION TRUE SENSATION TRUE SENSATION

52. Function of The Otolith Organs

54. Enabling Learning Objective #5 ACTION: Identify the function of the proprioceptive system CONDITION: Given a list STANDARD: In accordance with The Fundamentals of Aerospace Medicine and FM 3-04.301

56. Seat of Pants Flying Very unreliable means of orientation Dependent upon gravity and inertia Flying without reference to instruments

59. Enabling Learning Objective #6 ACTION: Identify the types of spatial disorientation CONDITION: Given a list STANDARD: In accordance with The Fundamentals of Aerospace Medicine and FM 3-04.301

60. TYPE I - UNRECOGNIZED TYPE II - RECOGNIZED TYPE III - INCAPACITATING Classifications of Disorientation

61. Unrecognized Type I Pilot does not consciously perceive any indication of Spatial Disorientation False inputs from sensory organs or cues Crashes with smile on their face Depth perception illusion Leans

62. Brownout

64. The Leans Pilot enter unperceived bank (sub- threshold maneuver) Refers to instruments Corrects aircraft attitude Conflict between mechanisms of equilibrium Pilot compensates by leaning in original bank

65. Recognized Type II Pilot consciously perceives a problem, but may not know it is due to spatial disorientation Pilot can correct the situation Pilot consciously perceives a problem, but may not know it is due to spatial disorientation Pilot can correct the situation

66. Pilot enters a turn stimulating one semicircular canal Pilot makes a head movement in a different geometric plane An additional semicircular canal is stimulated Results in overwhelming sensation of Yaw, Pitch, and Roll simultaneously Coriolis

68. Incapacitating Type III Pilot experiences overwhelming sensations Conflict of sensory inputs Unable to properly orient themselves by use of instruments or visual cues

69. Nystagmus A rapid flickering motion of both eyes back and forth, seriously degrading vision to 20/200 for a few seconds

71. Enabling Learning Objective #7 ACTION: Identify the dynamics of Spatial disorientation CONDITION: Given a list STANDARD: In accordance with The Fundamentals of Aerospace Medicine and FM 3-04.301

72. Dynamics Of Spatial Disorientation Visual dominance Vestibular suppression Vestibular opportunism

73. Visual Dominance A learned phenomenon where one incorporates visual orientation information while excluding other sensory cues (a very thorough cross- check) Example: Leans

74. Vestibular Suppression An active process of visually overriding undesirable vestibular sensations In flight, pilot develops suppression via repeated exposure to linear or angular acceleration

75. Vestibular Opportunism The propensity of the vestibular system to fill any orientation void swiftly

77. Enabling Learning Objective #8 ACTION: Identify the measures to prevent spatial disorientation CONDITION: Given a list STANDARD: In accordance with The Fundamentals of Aerospace Medicine and FM 3-04.301

78. SD Prevention Instruments-trust your instruments Education and training Instrument proficiency Health Aircraft design Cockpit Organization

79. SD Prevention Never fly without visual reference points Never stare at lights Dark adaptation Avoid self -imposed stresses (DEATH)

81. Enabling Learning Objective #9 ACTION: Identify the actions to treat spatial disorientation CONDITION: Given a list STANDARD: In accordance with The Fundamentals of Aerospace Medicine and FM 3-04.301

82. Treatment Refer to instruments, ensure they read right Develop and maintain cross-checks Delay intuitive reactions Transfer controls Never fly both VMC and IMC at the same time

83. Ensure the Instruments Read Right Ensure the Instruments Read Right

85. Mechanisms of equilibrium Role of vision Visual illusions Function of Vestibular system Function of proprioceptive system Types of disorientation Dynamics of disorientation Prevention Treatment Mechanisms of equilibrium Role of vision Visual illusions Function of Vestibular system Function of proprioceptive system Types of disorientation Dynamics of disorientation Prevention Treatment

86. Conclusion