Spirometric assessment of potential respiratory impairment in general aviation airmen.

Details

• Creators:
  Lategola, Michael T. ; Flux, Marinus ; Lyne, Peggy J.
• Corporate Creators:
  Civil Aeromedical Institute
• Corporate Contributors:
  United States. Office of Aviation Medicine
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  • Air pilots
  • Males
  • Diseases and medical conditions
  • Lungs
  • Smoking
  • Age
  • Aviation safety
  • Medical examinations and tests
  • Questionnaires
  • Human subject testing
  More +
• Publication/ Report Number:
  FAA-AM-77-3 ; DOT/FAA/AM-77/3
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States
• Edition:
  OAM report.
• Corporate Publisher:
  Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
• Abstract:
  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease continues to manifest an increasing prevalence in male Americans. A recent study of commercial airpline pilots revealed a 12-percent prevalence of minor-to-moderate spirometric impairment. Because commensurate data were not available for general aviation pilots, in whom such impairment could also compromise flight safety, a parallel study was made. ; The British Medical Research Council and smoking questionnaires, chest expansion, and spirometric measurements of FEV(1), FVC, FEV(1%), MVV, and FEF(25-75%) were assessed in 181 male general aviation pilots. All data showed a general relationship to increasing age and amount of smoking. Based on FEV(1%) and FEF(25-75%) combined, minor degrees of spirometric impairment were exceeded by 25.4 percent of the pilots and moderate degrees, by 12.7 percent. Negligible impairment was reflected in the remaining spirometric parameters. ; Subsequent testing of such spirometrically impaired pilots for altitude, fatigue, and orthostatic tolerances related to general aviation is planned.
• Format:
  PDF
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/21095/dot_21095_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 458.36 KB]
• Collection(s):
  FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute ; US Transportation Collection
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:7af4c519ca30b164896c4257385ec33df5c5872051277917f5a4d187a25a9aa7d825dbb15479d55fb836c28f44e107c69385057ea89dc9a700c2f2ac6db6375f