Physiological Training

[Denny of Oakland]

Additional Physiological Training

There are no specific requirements in FAR Part 91 or Part 125 for physiological training. However, in addition to the high-altitude training required by FAR § 61.31(f), which should include the physiological training outlined in this chapter, FAR Parts 121 and 135 require flight crewmembers that serve in operations above 25,000 feet to receive training in specified subjects of aviation physiology. None of the requirements includes altitude chamber training. The U.S. military services require its flight crewmembers to complete both initial and refresher physiological training, including instruction in basic aviation physiology and altitude chamber training. Other U.S. Government agencies, such as the National Aviation and Space Administration and FAA, also require their flight personnel who operate pressurized aircraft in the high-altitude flight environment to complete similar training. Although most of the subject material normally covered in physiological training concerns problems associated with reduced atmospheric pressure at high-flight altitudes, other equally important subjects are covered as well. Such subjects of aviation physiology as vision, disorientation, physical fitness, stress, and survival affect flight safety and are normally presented in a good training program.

a. Physiological training programs are offered at locations across the United States (Table 2) for pilots who are interested in learning to recognize and overcome vertigo, hypoxia, hyperventilation, etc., during flight. Trainees who attend these programs will be given classroom lectures, a high-altitude "flight" in an altitude chamber, and time in a jet aircraft cockpit spatial disorientation training device at some of the military bases that offer the course.

b. Persons who wish to take this training must be at least 18 years of age, hold a current FAA Airman Medical Certificate, and must not have a cold or any other significant health problem when enrolling for the course.

c. Applications for physiological training may be obtained at any FAA Flight Standards District Office. Persons who wish to enroll should send a completed application and payment (minimal fee for the course is $20) to the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, General Accounting Branch, AAC-23B, Box 25082, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73125.

d. Within 30 to 60 days, the applicant will be notified of the time and place of training.

Table 2. List of Training Locations
Aeronautical Center, OK Fairchild AFB, WA Peterson AFB, CO
Andrews AFB, MD Jacksonville NAS, FL Point Mugu NMC, CA
Barbers Point NAS, HI Laughlin AFB, TX Reese AFB, TX
Beale AFB, TX Lemoore NAS, CA San Diego NAS, CA
Brooks AFB, TX Little Rock AFB, AR Sheppard AFB, TX
Brunswick NAS, ME MacDill AFB, CA Vance AFB, OK
Cherry Point MCAS, NC Whidbey Island NAS, WA Columbus AFB, MS
NASA Johnson Space Center, TX Williams AFB, AZ
Edwards AFB, CA Norfolk NAS, VA Wright AFB. AZ
Ellsworth AFB, CA Patuxent River NAS, MD Wright-Patterson AFB, OH

The list I believe is current, however the military bases may not offer the services so please contact them if you are interested.


Denny

[desertbug]

Denny,

Just received this (refresher) training last week at the Norfolk unit and recorded in my military flight record. I suspect that they would endorse my private logbook as well (?).

I’ll call them during the week and ask.

By the way – pretty good training! A good reminder of how loss of O2 can sneak up on you and how “stupid” a person can get in just a few minutes (or less) when hypoxic…scary!