Describe the IMSAFE method of assessing fitness for flight.

 Access your fitness to fly using the following check list:

I – Illness
M – Medications
S – Stress
A – Alcohol
F – Fatigue
E – Eating

Identify symptoms and circumstances that would lead you to consult your aviation doctor

Licence holders are legally required to advise the CAA if they are aware of or suspect a change in their medical condition that may interfere with aviation safety.

This reporting obligation is contained in the Act. Under section 27C(1) of the Act all
licence holders have an obligation to advise the CAA if they are aware of, or have
reasonable grounds to suspect, any change in their medical condition or any previously
undetected medical condition that “… may interfere with the safe exercise of the privileges
to which his or her medical certificate relates”.
Also when this occurs, the pilot or air traffic controller may not fly or undertake air traffic
control activities.

Explain the CAANZ system of assessing medical fitness, with regard to ...

Medical examiner 

Grade 1 medical examiner can issue your medical on the spot

Grade 2 must send away information to the CAA

Obtaining a medical examination

Needs to be issued by a certified medical examiner

Frequency of medical renewal

Class 1 
ATPL and CPL
Yearly if under age 40
Yearly if over 40 yrs with no risk factors and no single pilot commercial opp’s 
After 40 six-monthly

Class 2
PPL 
If under age 40 – every 60 months
Two-yearly if over 40 yrs 

DL9

Microlight or truck driving medical 

Lasts for 2 years

Responsibilities of pilots towards medical fitness for flight

Describe the term fitness to fly.

It is a question that should be asked by the pilot about various aspects of his life and situation:
The ‘IMSAFE’ acronym personal pre flight checks are a great way to check you are good to go flying

Illness
Medications
Stress
Alcohol
Fatigue
Eating

Describe how flight anxiety can be prevented.

Flight anxiety must be dealt with as early on as possible

Avoid fatigue, sleep problems, alcohol, drugs , overload etc

Recognise the signs of flight anxiety in passengers.

• Physical discomfort – sweating, breathing difficulties
• Inappropriate behaviour – laughing , singing, impulsivity
• Unreliable – avoidance , not showing up
• Mood changes
• Unreasonable behaviour
• Fatigue
• Fixation on trivia (incorrect thought processes) 

Explain the causes of flight anxiety.

Flight anxiety is the build up of stress over a prolonged period

Dealing with it prior to flying is a must

Describe how motion sickness can be treated.

Use of all the preventers 

Use of medicines / anti nausea patch on skin

Desensitisation / Psychological treatment

Describe how motion sickness can be prevented.

– Apply a medical skin patch several hours prior to the flight
– Gain further flight experience as soon as possible
– Reduce anxiety and build confidence

– Keep fit
– Avoid over-tiredness
– Eat sensibly and avoid alcohol prior to the flight

– Keep the horizon in sight at all times
– Try to relax whilst flying
– Avoid rough weather conditions

Explain the causes of motion sickness.

Motion sickness occurs when there is prolonged and continued body motion which upsets the orientation system

There is a mismatch of information coming from the eyes and balance organs that reaches the brain