Flying and Health — Page 116, Lesson 180

I want to walk you through a new topic now: Flying and Health. This is a broad chapter, and we're starting with a few important areas that affect you as a pilot. First, let's talk about sexually transmitted diseases. The book points out that some of these are now extremely difficult to treat. Over the years, they have mutated into specific drug-resistant strains. For example, some varieties of syphilis, once thought easily cured by penicillin, now require a cocktail of drugs over a long period of time. The means of catching these diseases is self-evident, and likewise, the means of avoiding them is self-evident. Next, we have personal hygiene. A high standard of hygiene is essential if the body is to remain healthy and free from infection. The book lists some elementary precautions. These include careful and daily cleansing of the body, including the scalp, gums, and teeth. You must wash and dry your hands after using the toilet. Ensure that eating utensils are scrupulously clean. Minor cuts and abrasions should be promptly treated and covered. Regular exercise and a balanced diet are also listed. Now, let's move to something very specific to aviation: the stroboscopic effect. In helicopter operations, it has been found that a limited number of people are affected by the stroboscopic effect of sunlight reaching the observer through the rotor blades. Problems are normally caused by what are called 'flash frequencies' between 5 and 20 Hz. That's 5 to 20 flashes per second. This can lead to feelings of nausea, giddiness, and in extreme cases, cause an epileptic-type fit. If either a member of the crew or passengers display these symptoms, there are preventative actions. First, turn the aircraft out of the sun. Second, move the person affected to a seat in the shade, if possible. Third, make the individual close his or her eyes, or cover the window. And fourth, the wearing of sunglasses may help reduce the effects. Finally, we have radiation. The book introduces this by saying we are all exposed to radiation, which it is believed can increase the risk of cancers and may affect fertility. This is an area of a great deal of current research. It is worth noting that international air law stipulates that records must be kept of all flights above 49,000 feet, and the levels of radiation exposure incurred by both the aircraft and the crew. We are all exposed to two types of radiation: galactic radiation and solar radiation. Let's look at galactic radiation first. Galactic radiation originates from outside the solar system. It produces a steady and reasonably predictable low-intensity flux of high-energy particles. The earth's magnetic field deflects most of it. That's where the excerpt ends for now.