REFLECTOR: Flying High

[KeithHallsten]

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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