Part-FCL Question Bank

PPL(A)
Acc. (EU) 1178/2011
and
AMC FCL.115, .120, 210, .215

(Excerpt)

20 – Human Performance
and Limitations
 10 Human Performance and Limitations ECQB-PPL(A)

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 10 Human Performance and Limitations ECQB-PPL(A)

1 The majority of aviation accidents are caused by... (1,00 P.)

 human failure.
 meteorological influences.
 technical failure.
 geographical influences.

2 The "E" in the SHELL model means...

See figure (HPL- 001) (1,00 P.)

 enroute.
 equipment.
 environment.
 effective.

3 The "L" in the SHELL model means...

See figure (HPL- 001) (1,00 P.)

 line check.
 lift.
 liveware.
 loss of control.

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 10 Human Performance and Limitations ECQB-PPL(A)

4 The "swiss cheese model" can be used to explain the... (1,00 P.)
 error chain.
 optimal problem solution.
 procedure for an emergency landing.
 state of readiness of a pilot.

5 Which two parameters have to be considered in a risk assessment? (1,00 P.)

 Level of familiarity and regulations
 Probability of occurrence and severity of outcome
 Severity of outcome and amount insured
 Probability of occurrence and own experience

6 What is the percentage of oxygen in the atmosphere at 6000 ft? (1,00 P.)
 18.9 %
 12 %
 21 %
 78 %

7 What is the percentage of nitrogen in the atmosphere?

(1,00 P.)
 0.1 %
 78 %
 21 %
 1%

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 10 Human Performance and Limitations ECQB-PPL(A)

8 At which altitude is the atmospheric pressure approximately half the MSL value (1013
hPa)? (1,00 P.)
 10000 ft
 22000 ft
 18000 ft
 5000 ft

9 Air consists of oxygen, nitrogen and other gases.

What is the approximate percentage of other gases? (1,00 P.)

 21 %
 1%
 78 %
 0.1 %

10 Carbon monoxide poisoning can be caused by... (1,00 P.)

 little sleep.
 smoking.
 unhealthy food.
 alcohol.

11 What does the term "Red-out" mean? (1,00 P.)

 Falsified colour perception during sunrise and sunset
 Anaemia caused by an injury
 "Red vision" during negative g-loads
 Rash during decompression sickness

12 Which kind of risks are associated with the use of handheld pulse oximeters? (1,00 P.)
 Hyperventilation is not detected by a pulse oximeter
 Pulse oximeters can interfere with the avionics
 A pulse oximeter can be only used twice
 Pulse oximeters do not work below 10000 ft

13 Carbon monoxide poisoning can be caused by... (1,00 P.)

 cracks in the heat exchanger.
 Pitot icing.
 generator failure.
 fuel or hydraulic fluids.

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 10 Human Performance and Limitations ECQB-PPL(A)

14 Which of the following is NOT a symptom of hyperventilaton? (1,00 P.)

 Cyanose
 Spasm
 Disturbance of consciousness
 Tingling

15 Which of the following symptoms may indicate hypoxia? (1,00 P.)

 Blue marks all over the body
 Muscle cramps in the upper body area
 Joint pain in knees and feet
 Blue discolouration of lips and fingernails

16 Which of the human senses is most influenced by hypoxia? (1,00 P.)

 The oltfactory perception (smell)
 The visual perception (vision)
 The auditory perception (hearing)
 The tactile perception (sense of touch)

17 From which altitude on does the body usually react to the decreasing atmospheric
pressure? (1,00 P.)
 10000 feet
 12000 feet
 7000 feet
 2000 feet

18 Which altitude marks the lower limit where the the body is unable to completely
compensate the effects of the low atmospheric pressure? (1,00 P.)
 7000 feet
 22000 feet
 5000 feet
 12000 feet

19 What is the function of the red blood cells (erythrocytes)? (1,00 P.)
 Blood coagulation
 Blood sugar regulation
 Oxygen transport
 Immune defense

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 10 Human Performance and Limitations ECQB-PPL(A)

20 Which of the following is responsible for the blood coagulation? (1,00 P.)
 Capillaries of the arteries
 Red blood cells (erythrocytes)
 White blood cells (leucocytes)
 Blood plates (thrombocytes)

21 What is the function of the white blood cells (leucocytes)? (1,00 P.)
 Blood coagulation
 Oxygen transport
 Blood sugar regulation
 Immune defense

22 What is the function of the blood platelets (thrombocytes)? (1,00 P.)

 Immune defense
 Blood sugar regulation
 Blood coagulation
 Oxygen transport

23 Which of the following is NOT a risk factor for hypoxia? (1,00 P.)
 Diving
 Blood donation
 Menstruation
 Smoking

24 Anemic hypoxia can be caused by... (1,00 P.)

 high altitudes.
 low pressure.
 carbon monoxide poisoning.
 alcohol.

25 Which type of hypoxia can be caused by high altitude? (1,00 P.)

 Anaemic hypoxia
 Histotoxic hypoxia
 Stagnating hypoxia
 Hypoxic hypoxia

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 10 Human Performance and Limitations ECQB-PPL(A)

26 What is an appropriate reaction when a passenger during cruise flight suddenly feels
uncomfortable? (1,00 P.)
 Avoid conversation and choose a higher airspeed
 Switch on the heater blower and provide thermal blankets
 Adjust cabin temperature and prevent excessive bank
 Give additional oxygen and avoid low load factors

27 What ist the correct term for an involuntary and stereotypical reaction of an organism
to the stimulation of a receptor? (1,00 P.)
 Reduction
 Reflex
 Coherence
 Virulence

28 What is the correct term for the system which, among others, controls breathing,
digestion, and heart frequency? (1,00 P.)
 Critical nervous system
 Compliant nervous system
 Automatical nervous system
 Autonomic nervous system

29 From about which altitude on does the night vision capability start to reduce? (1,00 P.)
 10000 ft
 3000 ft
 5000 ft
 7000 ft

30 What is the parallax error? (1,00 P.)

 Misperception of speed during taxiing
 Long-sightedness due to aging especially during night
 Wrong interpretation of instruments caused by the angle of vision
 A decoding error in communication between pilots

31 Which characteristic is important when choosing sunglasses used by pilots? (1,00 P.)
 No UV filter
 Non-polarised
 Unbreakable
 Curved sidepiece

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 10 Human Performance and Limitations ECQB-PPL(A)

32 What time is required approximately for the eyes to adapt to brightness? (1,00 P.)
 1 minute
 10 minutes
 10 seconds
 1 second

33 Which part of the visual system is responsible for colour vision? (1,00 P.)
 Blind spot
 Macula
 Cones
 Rods

34 The connection between middle ear and nose and throat region is called... (1,00 P.)
 eardrum.
 cochlea.
 eustachian tube.
 inner ear.

35 In which situation is it NOT possible to achieve a pressure compensation between the

middle ear and the environment? (1,00 P.)
 The eustachien tube is blocked
 Breathing takes place using the mouth only
 All windows are completely closed
 During a light and slow climb

36 Wings level after a longer period of turning can lead to the impression of... (1,00 P.)
 starting a climb.
 turning into the opposite direction.
 starting a descent.
 steady turning in the same direction as before.

37 Which of the following options does NOT stimulate motion sickness (disorientation)?
(1,00 P.)
 Head movements during turns
 Non-accelerated straight and level flight
 Turbulence in level flight
 Flying under the influence of alcohol

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 10 Human Performance and Limitations ECQB-PPL(A)

38 An acceleration during a straight horizontal flight can lead to the illusion of... (1,00 P.)
 an inverted flight.
 a climb.
 a bank.
 a descent.

39 A deceleration during a straight horizontal flight can lead to the illusion of... (1,00 P.)
 a climb.
 a descent.
 an inverted flight.
 a bank.

40 What is a Coriolis illusion? (1,00 P.)

 Apparent movement of static objects at night
 False perception of colour due to strong accelerations
 Wrong interpretation of altitude during approach
 Heavy vertigo due to head movements during turns

41 Which optical illusion might be caused by a runway with an upslope during the
approach? (1,00 P.)
 The pilot has the feeling that the approach is too high
and therefore descents below the regular glide slope
 The pilot has the feeling that the approach is too slow
and speeds up above the normal approach speed
 The pilot has the feeling that the approach is too fast
and reduces the speed below the normal approach speed
 The pilot has the feeling that the approach is too low
and therefore approaches the runway above the regular glide slope

42 What impression may be caused when approaching a runway with an upslope? (1,00
P.)
 A hard landing
 A landing beside the centerline
 An overshoot
 An undershoot

43 The occurence of a vertigo is most likely when moving the head... (1,00 P.)
 during a turn.
 during a climb.
 during a straight horizontal flight.
 during a descent.

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 10 Human Performance and Limitations ECQB-PPL(A)

44 A Grey-out is the result of... (1,00 P.)

 hyperventilation.
 tiredness.
 positive g-forces.
 hypoxia.

45 Visual illusions are mostly caused by... (1,00 P.)

 rapid eye movements.
 binocular vision.
 colour blindness.
 misinterpretation of the brain.

46 The human circadian cycle is based on a cycle of approximately... (1,00 P.)

 25 hours.
 13 hours.
 22 hours.
 10 hours.

47 The average decrease of blood alcohol level for an adult in one hour is
approximately... (1,00 P.)
 0.3 percent.
 0.03 percent.
 0.1 percent.
 0.01 percent.

48 What has to be taken into consideration when comparing medication which is only
available on prescription with medication that is available over the counter? (1,00 P.)
 There is a notification requirement for medication which is sold over the counter if it is taken for
a period exceeding 10 days
 Generally both types of medication have to be handled in the same way
 Medication which is available over the counter is safe as long as a doctor has not expressed an
opinion to the contrary
 Medication which is only available on prescription is considered to have an impact on flight
performance only if explicitly noted on the package insert

49 Which answer states a risk factor for diabetes? (1,00 P.)

 Smoking
 Sleep deficiency
 Alcohol consumption
 Overweight

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 10 Human Performance and Limitations ECQB-PPL(A)

50 A risk factor for decompression sickness is... (1,00 P.)

 scuba diving prior to flight.
 sports.
 100 % oxygen after decompression.
 smoking.

51 Which of the following options does NOT require an immendiate consultation of an

aeromedical examiner? (1,00 P.)
 Regular intake of medication
 Preventive dental screening
 First prescription of glasses
 Pregnancy

52 Smoking causes... (1,00 P.)

 histotoxic hypoxia.
 hyperventilation.
 anaemic hypoxia.
 decompression sickness.

53 Which statement is correct with regard to the interaction between perception and
experience? (1,00 P.)
 Experience and perception are totally different parts of the perception process
 The interaction between perception and experience is limited to optical illusions
 Experience has a significant influence to our perception
 The interaction has no relevance for flight safety

54 Which statement is correct with regard to the short-term memory? (1,00 P.)
 It can store 10 (±5) items for 30 to 60 seconds
 It can store 5 (±2) items for 1 to 2 minutes
 It can store 7 (±2) items for 10 to 20 seconds
 It can store 3 (±1) items for 5 to 10 seconds

55 For what approximate time period can the short-time memory store information? (1,00
P.)
 3 to 7 seconds
 10 to 20 seconds
 30 to 40 seconds
 35 to 50 seconds

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 10 Human Performance and Limitations ECQB-PPL(A)

56 What is a latent error? (1,00 P.)

 An error which is made by the pilot actively and consciously
 An error which only has consequences after landing
 An error which has an immediate effect on the controls
 An error which remains undetected in the system for a long time

57 What does the term "confirmation bias" mean? (1,00 P.)

 The bias to confirm each radio call
 The feedback loop in a closed communication
 The critical check of ambiguous situations in flight
 The preference to find arguments to proof the own mental model

58 What does the abbreviation "CFIT" mean? (1,00 P.)

 Central Flight Instructor Training
 Company Fuel Index Tool
 Cargo Fire in Tail Compartment
 Controlled Flight Into Terrain

59 The ongoing process to monitor the current flight situation is called... (1,00 P.)
 constant flight check.
 situational thinking.
 anticipatory check procedure.
 situational awareness.

60 Regarding the communication model, how can the use of the same code during radio
communication be ensured?
(1,00 P.)
 By using radios certified for aviation use only
 By the use of radio phraseology
 By a particular frequency allocation
 By the use of proper headsets

61 Which of the following attitudes are not hazardous when piloting an aircraft? (1,00 P.)
 Macho
 Impulsivity
 Synergetic
 Infallibility

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 10 Human Performance and Limitations ECQB-PPL(A)

62 In what different ways can a risk be handled appropriately? (1,00 P.)

 Avoid, ignore, palliate, reduce
 Avoid, reduce, transfer, accept
 Extrude, avoid, palliate, transfer
 Ignore, accept, transfer, extrude

63 Under which circumstances is it more likely to accept higher risks? (1,00 P.)
 Due to group-dynamic effects
 If there is not enough information available
 During check flights due to a high level of nervousness
 During flight planning when excellent weather is forecast

64 What is the meaning of "risky shift"? (1,00 P.)

 Crossing of rudder and ailerons on short final
 Spontaneous change of landing direction when the runway has an upslope
 Seat adjustment in flight
 The tendency to accept higher risks in groups

65 Which dangerous attitudes are often combined? (1,00 P.)

 Self-abandonment and macho
 Macho and invulnerability
 Invulnerability and self-abandonment
 Impulsivity and carefulness

66 What is an indication for a macho attitude? (1,00 P.)

 Careful walkaround procedure
 Comprehensive risk assessment when faced with unfamiliar situations
 Risky flight maneuvers to impress spectators on ground
 Quick resignation in complex and critical situations

67 Which factor can lead to human error? (1,00 P.)

 The bias to see what we expect to see
 Proper use of checklists
 Double check of relevant actions
 To be doubtful if something looks unclear or ambiguous

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 10 Human Performance and Limitations ECQB-PPL(A)

68 What is the best combination of traits with respect to the individual attitude and
behaviour for a pilot? (1,00 P.)
 Introverted - stable
 Extroverted - unstable
 Introverted - unstable
 Extroverted - stable

69 Complacency is a risk due to... (1,00 P.)

 increased cockpit automation.
 the high number of mistakes normally made by humans.
 better training options for young pilots.
 the high error rate of technical systems.

70 The ideal level of arousal is at which point in the diagram?

See figure (HPL- 002)

P = Performance
A = Arousal / Stress (1,00 P.)
 Point C
 Point A
 Point B
 Point D

71 At which point in the diagram will a pilot find himself to be overstrained?

See figure (HPL-002)

P = Perfromance
A = Arousal / Stress (1,00 P.)
 Point A
 Point C
 Point B
 Point D

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 10 Human Performance and Limitations ECQB-PPL(A)

72 Which of the following qualities are influenced by stress?

1. Attention
2. Concentration
3. Responsiveness
4. Memory (1,00 P.)
 1
 1, 2, 3
 1, 2, 3, 4
 2, 4

73 Which answer is correct concerning stress? (1,00 P.)

 Everybody reacts to stress in the same manner
 Training and experience have no influence on the occurence of stress
 Stress can occur if there seems to be no solution for a given problem
 Stress and its different symptoms are irrelevant for flight safety

74 What can cause an increased number of errors, tunnel vision and reduced attention?
(1,00 P.)
 Sports
 Unhealthy food
 Fatigue
 Relaxation training

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