Airspace Physiology

Airspace Physiology

Date: 2010-06-15 22:18:36

The first day of training consisted of welcome briefs from various high ups and the whole day can be summed up as “Pilot training is really demanding. Don't suck. Don't get behind. Don't quit.".

Since then we've been at Physiology. They've been teaching us about the different effects and factors to consider during flying. For example, we had to learn about hypoxia and it's effects. After some classroom instruction, they took us into the “chamber” and decreased the pressure to make it feel like we were 25,000 feet high. Then we had to take off our masks until we noticed an effect of hypoxia. I get very, very happy and cannot stop smiling. Weird stuff.

We've also had classes on how to egress the plane using the ejection seat, cockpit resource management, identifying and reducing stress, the effects of G forces, and parachute training.

We had the practical portion of parachute training today. It was hot! They even came over the base intercom to announce it was black flag conditions (worst heat, work 15 min., rest 45 min.). It was miserable, but good training.

The pictures are from the puke chair and parachute training: