REFLECTOR: Flying High

Sat May 14 09:46:30 CDT 2005

Exactly my point Keith.  Institutions (FAA) need to draw the line 
somewhere for all folks "in general".  Consider that FAA takes MSL, and 
the general population, as references.  We need to draw our own lines.  
More so, when we are not as fit as we used to be and are prone to start 
developing certain conditions that come with the calendar and tend to be 
hidden at first... until something precipitates their appearance.  As 
for myself, I will give myself enough security margin to precipitate 
their appearance on the ground.
Regards

KeithHallsten wrote:

>Jorge,
>Thanks for doing so.  You reinforced the program at my EAA Chapter last
>month.  Fellow Velocity builder (and former Air Force pilot) Lynn Cook gave
>a lecture on high altitude physiology and the need for supplemental oxygen.
>He emphasized that those of us who are over 40 have a greater need for
>supplemental oxygen than younger pilots, especially at night.  Also, the FAA
>regs regarding the use of oxygen are really pushing the limits - Lynn
>recommended supplemental oxygen at lower altitudes than the regs require -
>5000 ft at night and 7500 during daylight.
>
>Incidentally, Lynn is now taxi testing his Standard RG, so a first flight is
>coming soon!
>
>Keith Hallsten. XL FG
>
>
>----- Original Message ----- 
>From: "Jorge Bujanda" <jbujanda at dslextreme.com>
>To: "Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list" <reflector at tvbf.org>
>Sent: Friday, May 13, 2005 6:34 PM
>Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Flying High
>
>
>  
>
>>Since 1982.  I know I got  rich in examples but I really wanted to
>>highlight the importance of the topic.
>>Regards
>>
>>
>>Tom Martino wrote:
>>    
>>
>>>Whatta ya -- a doctor or something?  ;)
>>>
>>>
>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
>>>Behalf Of Jorge Bujanda
>>>Sent: Friday, May 13, 2005 7:21 PM
>>>To: Velocity Builder's Forum. Reflector
>>>Subject: REFLECTOR: Flying High [heur]
>>>
>>>Gentlemen,
>>>
>>>The headache is not the problem. What is important is what it means. If
>>>you get a headache, it is likely that you have gone too high. The
>>>headache is a sign of an important and fairly acute decrease of oxygen
>>>delivery to the brain due to sudden decrease in barometric (oxygen)
>>>pressure, due in turn to high altitude.
>>>
>>>>From a neurological perspective, the onset of headache due to hypoxia
>>>is proven to be accompanied by subtle and unnoticed, but increasing
>>>judgment impairment, coordination loss, decreased reaction time, visual
>>>impairment, drowsiness, excitement, carefree feeling, overestimation of
>>>self-capabilities and exaggerated self-confidence (very dangerous in the
>>>
>>>cockpit), disorientation and loss of time sense. As you can see,
>>>although the most uncomfortable, the headache is the least dangerous of
>>>all the events described. It has been proven that there is increasing
>>>"appreciable" neurological handicap between 7000 and 12000 feet and
>>>"considerable" neurological handicap between 12000 and 15000 feet in
>>>physically "normal" individuals.
>>>
>>>>From a cardiovascular perspective, there is an obvious decrease in the
>>>oxygenation of the heart and any circulatory and cardiac problem (known
>>>or unknown) will be aggravated by such decreased delivery of oxygen to
>>>the heart. Any illness or factor affecting proper tissue oxygenation
>>>such as anemia, hypertension, circulatory problems, heart disease,
>>>emphysema (long-time smokers), asthma, and even simple things such as
>>>been in the process of getting over upper respiratory allergies or
>>>infections may further worsen oxygen delivery to the heart and brain.
>>>This means that, under these circumstances, you might not tolerate
>>>altitudes that you might have tolerated in the past under "normal"
>>>conditions.
>>>
>>>More importantly, for reasons I will not detail here, any stressful
>>>situation (i.e., encountering bad, or worse than expected weather and
>>>climbing higher to avoid it) causes rapid and shallow breathing, as well
>>>
>>>as increased tissue oxygen consumption which will further decrease
>>>oxygen delivery to the heart and brain and may become the last factor to
>>>
>>>precipitate catastrophe.
>>>
>>>Pay attention... borderline (high) flying does not come without risk.
>>>The effects of altitude are insidious and are not something to be taken
>>>lightly. A simple headache may be just a warning sign, but also, a
>>>life-saving sign pointing to a bigger underlying problem.
>>>
>>>Draw your own conclusions based on what your current physical condition
>>>might be (known or unknown) and the physiological facts stated above.
>>>
>>>I hope this helps you increase safety awareness and I highly recommend
>>>that you remind yourselves of all this as you have to take those two
>>>aspirins after landing.
>>>
>>>Regards,
>>>Jorge Bujanda
>>>XL FG
>>>Palmdale, CA
>>>
>>>"Make your best case... not the best case."
>>>"Spare the noise... convince through silence."
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
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>>>
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