High Performance Aviation
FAA Hypoxia Training in Sugar Land, TX Dec. 7 – 10, 2017
It starts with a warm, fuzzy feeling. You might giggle a little. Colors seem brighter. Next you might feel a little light-headed, dizzy, or nauseous. Your thinking is impaired. What were you going to do next? You can’t focus on the controls. These could all be warning signs of hypoxia – a state of oxygen deficiency that impairs brain function. Symptoms include impaired vision, judgment, and motor control, and can result in incapacitation or even death. But the effects are subtle, and can come on gradually. Rapid breathing, headache, drowsiness, nausea, euphoria, irritability, slurred speech, and diminished thinking capacity can all be signs of hypoxia.
While hypoxia is generally noticed at or above 10,000 ft., it can occur at lower altitudes. And although many modern, technically advanced aircraft are equipped with onboard oxygen, or pressurization, equipment failures can and do happen. So what is your best defense against hypoxia? Awareness is key – and being aware of your own personal response to hypoxia can help you recognize it while you still have time to take corrective action. After all, you may only have minutes to get your oxygen mask on and descend to a lower altitude.
To assist pilots in determining their own personal hypoxia response, the FAA and Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI) is offering hypoxia training in the PROTE (Portable Oxygen Training Enclosure). This traveling altitude “chamber” is capable of producing hypoxic environments at ground level by altering the fraction of ambient oxygen. Hypoxia training in the PROTE avoids some of the risks associated with pressurized altitude chamber training.
You need to make a reservation, and it is best to reserve early since demand is expected to be high. Training starts on Thursday, December 7th, and will be offered through Sunday, December 10th at Western Airways (KSGR). Reservations for “flights” are in 30 minute increments, but participants need to show up an hour before their reservation time. Training hours are from 0900 to 1630 on December 7, 8, & 9; and 0900 to 1300 on December 10. WINGS credit is available, but participants need to register in order to get credit.
Registration
Please note that you must make a reservation for the PROTE.
How to sign up:
Hypoxia training will be available at the Sugar Land Regional Airport from December 7th thru 10th. For a “flight time” reservation please send an email request to [email protected]. Please include the following information: name, e-mail address, contact phone number, request for day and whether you prefer an AM or PM slot. Due to the number of pilots expected to participate we will do our best to grant your requested time.
Requirements:
- You must be at least 18 years old
- Have a minimum 3rd class medical or Basic Med (if you are using Basic Med bring your most current physician checklist)
- No signing up a “group”- each e-mail request should be for one individual
Location:
Western Airways Located at Sugar Land Regional Airport
100 Jim Davidson Dr.
Sugar Land, TX 77498
For more information, contact:
Lance Little
Additional details available here
[email protected]
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