The aviation industry plays a crucial role in modern society. This industry makes it possible for goods and people to travel efficiency over great distances. This results in significant economic and social benefits. The people in aircrafts experience an environment that is different from the one experienced on the ground. The human body reacts to the environmental changes introduced as the aircraft travels at high altitudes. Aviation physiology is the study of the effects that the environment inside aircrafts during a flight have on the human body.
Ordinarily, the human body is able to sufficiently adjust to environmental changes in temperature, pressure, and oxygen levels. The natural compensatory mechanisms of the body enable it to adapt to the variations in pressure and oxygen levels. However, air travel places great demands on the body’s natural mechanism. To begin with, the environmental changes occur at a rapid rate, which makes it hard for the body to make the necessary adjustments in a timely manner. In addition to this, the environmental changes are of a high magnitude and the human body might be unable to handle them.
The human body faces three important environmental changes while in an aircraft. These are: atmospheric pressure changes, temperature valuations, and speed changes. Below an altitude of 10,000 feet, the human body is able to adapt to the atmospheric changes introduced by flight. However, the compensatory mechanisms of the body cannot adapt adequately above this altitude and physical aids are needed to deal with the changes in pressure. These physical aids include pressurized cabins and supplemental oxygen supply to the cabin. Without these facilities, the human body will suffer from oxygen deprivation leading to the impairing of body functions.
Aviation physiology considers the effects of altitude changes on the air-crew. The human body is exposed to altitude changes as the aircraft ascends or descends. The body is able to acclimatize to the changes in altitude as long as they altitude changes are gradual. However, rapid increases or drops in atmospheric pressure can have an adverse effect on the body. Air travelers can suffer from decompression sickness if the aircraft engages in a rapid ascent that causes the body to experience a sudden decrease in atmospheric pressure.
Traveling by air affects the sensory system of the body. The eyes, which communicate visual sensations, are affected when an aircraft is flying. While in the air, pilots experience disorientation due to the lack of adequate reference points. In addition to this, the pilot might suffer from vestibular illusions. Spatial disorientation occur since the human body is unable to detect a constant turn if it goes on for an extended period of time or if the turn is too gradual. The pilot might therefore assume that he/she is on a straight path while the aircraft is turning. The pilot should rely on the instruments on board since the sensory sensations are inadequate while flying an aircraft.
To ensure that flights are carried out safely, it is necessary to identify and deal with the various physical and mental effects of flying on the human body. Aviation physiology identifies the effects that environmental conditions in the aircraft have on the body. It demonstrates how the limiting conditions can be overcome by using physical aids. A proper understanding of aviation physiology and how to use the appropriate aids contributes to the safety of air travelers.