flighthappens - you ask
Is there a definition anywhere for what constitutes “cognitive impairment” in the aviation context...?
Part 1.4 of the Red Arrows XX179 Service Inquiry gives some examples:
https://assets.publishing.service.go...rt_1-4-1-U.pdf
Such as:
- Pilot Disorientation (which could be visual or more medical)
- Pilot Distraction – this seems more of a Human Factor than impairment?
- Pilot Incapacitation
The last starts a discussion about G-induced impairment which is covered in later sections.
At the Old Bailey trial, cerebral hypoxia was cited as a potential cause of cognitive impairment. Cerebral hypoxia is simply lack of oxygen in the brain (if I've understood it correctly). It can be due to a good blood supply where the blood is lacking oxygen (seen at high altitudes). Or it can be caused by a good level of oxygen in the blood, but not enough blood (G-LOC, A-LOC or some combination). Cerebral Hypoxia can also be caused mechanically, for example by stroke or strangulation.
There are other aviation cognitive impairment factors, such as heat, fumes, dehydration, illness, blood sugar, alcohol, hyperventilation and fatigue.
In the trial, alcohol was mentioned as a well known example. Alcohol was not a factor at Shoreham, but the symptoms might be: well known automatic tasks (think changing gear) are less affected than executive decisions (reaction time to unexpected events).
airsound