 |
1. GENERAL DISCUSSIONS
General Info at random as gleaned through the various round table meetings by Gérard Moss:
Foreign A/C wishing to fly in Europe should look at the AVN 52E insurance coverage requirements. Companies like AIG, Winterthur, US Specialty etc may supply.
Watch out as the "restricted" airworthiness certificates are often not accepted in some countries. (incl Greenland, Iceland, Canada)
Some countries require the "Search and Rescue" coverage to be included in the policy.
On Nth Atlantic crossings, ferry permits issued in the US, are not automatically accepted in countries like Iceland. They might need their own certificate equivalent.
It seems to be possible to depart from Gander using Satellite. Phone only (no HF).
Best life raft voted around the table: Winslow 4 place Island Superlight, 32lbs, good idea to have it vacuum pumped to increase validity from 1 to 3 years.
Imperial Immersion suits seemed to be the most used in the Nth Atlantic.
Ditching Tips from Marc Mosier:
- Avoid breaking thumbs by not warping them around the yoke on impact
- As ditching try to keep a hand on a handle to keep reference of position
- Leave seat belts on as long as possible before exiting the cabin under water
- Spare Air oxygen bottle is a good idea to have in your flight suit.
Thank you Marc
For Flight in Japan, good contact is Peter Heger (Swiss) at AOPA JAPAN. (helped Helmut)
As an alternate to Japan (as can be expensive) PUSAN in Korea has AVGAS and is cheaper
Sites mentioned at RoundTable meetings:
General weather, winds aloft etc, mainly for USA
http://aviationweather.gov/
(also contain a section with international satellite imagery by ICAO Areas). http://aviationweather.gov/obs/sat/intl/
It also has international winds aloft forecast maps given by ICAO Area at: http://aviationweather.gov/iffdp/fdwnda
(The last address is hard to get to from the main menu.)
For finding METAR's and TAF's the basic website will accept ICAO codes for any airport in the world.
International NOTAM's for any airport can be found at: https://www.notams.faa.gov/dinsQueryWeb/
This website for international NOTAM's is the US defense department (DoD) version. The FAA civilian version of this site which does basically the same thing is at: https://pilotweb.nas.faa.gov/PilotWeb/
Intl weather:
http://wh99.fltplan.com/weather/index.cfm
Airport Info: (Not sure if useful)
http://www.worldaero.com/countries
Surface winds worldwide, actual and forecasts:
http://www.windfinder.com
Charts/Weather AAP for iPad (USA only for the moment)
http://www.foreflight.com/
APP for charts/maps Apt info, (alternate to JEppview): Air Nav Pro
APP for taking screen pictures on iPad: GoodReader
Another interresting site: Great circle distance and bearing between airports using the ICAO codes (and the gc route map) :
http://www.gcmap.com/
With many thanks to Gérard Moss and Harry Anderson
2. MEDICAL ISSUES
This is a condensed version of the lecture delivered by Wojciech Mirski of Switzerland.
The higher we fly:
CARDIO VASCULAR PROBLEMS: due to reduced pO2 instable angina pectoris and in case of dehydratation hyperviscosity of the blood causing thrombosis (clotting of blood).
RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS: Most dreadfull and frequent. Age, smoking, overweight lead to chronicventilation problems and even to pulmonary embolism.
Hypercapnia due to increase of CO2 and hypoxia can cause Deep Veins Thrombosis (DVT) aggravated by
* "cramped position",
* dehydratation (increase in blood viscosity),
* no movements,
* diuretic effects of coffee.
CONTRA-INDICATIONS AND INCREASED RISK FOR LONG FLIGHTS:
* Heart MI of less 3 weeks.
* Instable angina pectoris.
* Sever blood hypertension.
* Cardiac rytm problems.
* BLOOD: Severe anemia.
* DIGESTIVE: Laparoscopy of less than 7 days.
Recent abdominal surgery.
Diarhea.
* EYE: Surgery less than 2weeks.
* NEURO-PSYCHO: Epilepsia.
Stroke less than 3 weeks.
Psychosis.
* GYNECO: Pregnancy of more than 35 weeks.
* TRAUMA: Cast put less than 48 hours.
* SPORT: Diving less than 12- 24 hours before the flight, depending of the depth.
IN GENERAL THE RISKS ARE INCREASED DUE TO:
* High altityde due to lack of oxygen.
* Length of the flight: more than 3-4 hours.
* Varicose veins.
* Women of more than 40 years of age due to hormonal problems.
* Men of more than 50 years of age.
* Diabetes due to the risk of hypoglycemia.
:* Cardiac problems: HTA: angina.
* Dryness for contact lens holders.
* Use of psychotropic drugs.
* Alcohol.
* Diving.
* Infectious disease with fever.
* Bad cold.
WE FREQUENTLY FLY IN HOT PLACES
Thinks to watch:
* Clothing and hydratation.
* The human body contains 60 -70% water.
* Lack of water: Thirst starts from 2% water loss and leads to decreased intellectual performance lack of concentration, of attention and of hearing.
* Water is everywhere in the body and should not be ingested too cold.
* Avoid aluminium and certain plasic container (phtalates).
* What to drink? Life began in water not in beer, coffee or Coca-Cola...
* Best is all day sipping of small quantities of water at normal temperature (1.5 to 2 litres a day).
* :Source" water without gas is the best.
GENERAL RECCOMANDATIONS BEFORE AND DURING A FLIGHT
* Stop gaseous drinks and feculents (gas producing food).
* Stop caffeine.
* When flying high and at night use supplemetary oxygen.
FOR LONG FLIGHTS
Thanks to Wojciech Mirski, Switzerland.
Earthrounder 2007
www.flying-doctor.ch
General Info at random as gleaned through the various round table meetings by Gérard Moss:
Foreign A/C wishing to fly in Europe should look at the AVN 52E insurance coverage requirements. Companies like AIG, Winterthur, US Specialty etc may supply.
Watch out as the "restricted" airworthiness certificates are often not accepted in some countries. (incl Greenland, Iceland, Canada)
Some countries require the "Search and Rescue" coverage to be included in the policy.
On Nth Atlantic crossings, ferry permits issued in the US, are not automatically accepted in countries like Iceland. They might need their own certificate equivalent.
It seems to be possible to depart from Gander using Satellite. Phone only (no HF).
Best life raft voted around the table: Winslow 4 place Island Superlight, 32lbs, good idea to have it vacuum pumped to increase validity from 1 to 3 years.
Imperial Immersion suits seemed to be the most used in the Nth Atlantic.
Ditching Tips from Marc Mosier:
- Avoid breaking thumbs by not warping them around the yoke on impact
- As ditching try to keep a hand on a handle to keep reference of position
- Leave seat belts on as long as possible before exiting the cabin under water
- Spare Air oxygen bottle is a good idea to have in your flight suit.
Thank you Marc
For Flight in Japan, good contact is Peter Heger (Swiss) at AOPA JAPAN. (helped Helmut)
As an alternate to Japan (as can be expensive) PUSAN in Korea has AVGAS and is cheaper
Sites mentioned at RoundTable meetings:
General weather, winds aloft etc, mainly for USA
http://aviationweather.gov/
(also contain a section with international satellite imagery by ICAO Areas). http://aviationweather.gov/obs/sat/intl/
It also has international winds aloft forecast maps given by ICAO Area at: http://aviationweather.gov/iffdp/fdwnda
(The last address is hard to get to from the main menu.)
For finding METAR's and TAF's the basic website will accept ICAO codes for any airport in the world.
International NOTAM's for any airport can be found at: https://www.notams.faa.gov/dinsQueryWeb/
This website for international NOTAM's is the US defense department (DoD) version. The FAA civilian version of this site which does basically the same thing is at: https://pilotweb.nas.faa.gov/PilotWeb/
Intl weather:
http://wh99.fltplan.com/weather/index.cfm
Airport Info: (Not sure if useful)
http://www.worldaero.com/countries
Surface winds worldwide, actual and forecasts:
http://www.windfinder.com
Charts/Weather AAP for iPad (USA only for the moment)
http://www.foreflight.com/
APP for charts/maps Apt info, (alternate to JEppview): Air Nav Pro
APP for taking screen pictures on iPad: GoodReader
Another interresting site: Great circle distance and bearing between airports using the ICAO codes (and the gc route map) :
http://www.gcmap.com/
With many thanks to Gérard Moss and Harry Anderson
2. MEDICAL ISSUES
This is a condensed version of the lecture delivered by Wojciech Mirski of Switzerland.
The higher we fly:
- Temperature decreases so we need proper clothing.
- Water vapor decreases so dehydratation, (contact lenses get dry), we need to drink.
- Pressure decreases so expansion of closed cavities: ear, sinus, bowels, teeth fillings.
- UV increases so use proper glasses.
- Oxygen concentration decreases: hypoxia.
CARDIO VASCULAR PROBLEMS: due to reduced pO2 instable angina pectoris and in case of dehydratation hyperviscosity of the blood causing thrombosis (clotting of blood).
RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS: Most dreadfull and frequent. Age, smoking, overweight lead to chronicventilation problems and even to pulmonary embolism.
Hypercapnia due to increase of CO2 and hypoxia can cause Deep Veins Thrombosis (DVT) aggravated by
* "cramped position",
* dehydratation (increase in blood viscosity),
* no movements,
* diuretic effects of coffee.
CONTRA-INDICATIONS AND INCREASED RISK FOR LONG FLIGHTS:
* Heart MI of less 3 weeks.
* Instable angina pectoris.
* Sever blood hypertension.
* Cardiac rytm problems.
* BLOOD: Severe anemia.
* DIGESTIVE: Laparoscopy of less than 7 days.
Recent abdominal surgery.
Diarhea.
* EYE: Surgery less than 2weeks.
* NEURO-PSYCHO: Epilepsia.
Stroke less than 3 weeks.
Psychosis.
* GYNECO: Pregnancy of more than 35 weeks.
* TRAUMA: Cast put less than 48 hours.
* SPORT: Diving less than 12- 24 hours before the flight, depending of the depth.
IN GENERAL THE RISKS ARE INCREASED DUE TO:
* High altityde due to lack of oxygen.
* Length of the flight: more than 3-4 hours.
* Varicose veins.
* Women of more than 40 years of age due to hormonal problems.
* Men of more than 50 years of age.
* Diabetes due to the risk of hypoglycemia.
:* Cardiac problems: HTA: angina.
* Dryness for contact lens holders.
* Use of psychotropic drugs.
* Alcohol.
* Diving.
* Infectious disease with fever.
* Bad cold.
WE FREQUENTLY FLY IN HOT PLACES
Thinks to watch:
* Clothing and hydratation.
* The human body contains 60 -70% water.
* Lack of water: Thirst starts from 2% water loss and leads to decreased intellectual performance lack of concentration, of attention and of hearing.
* Water is everywhere in the body and should not be ingested too cold.
* Avoid aluminium and certain plasic container (phtalates).
* What to drink? Life began in water not in beer, coffee or Coca-Cola...
* Best is all day sipping of small quantities of water at normal temperature (1.5 to 2 litres a day).
* :Source" water without gas is the best.
GENERAL RECCOMANDATIONS BEFORE AND DURING A FLIGHT
* Stop gaseous drinks and feculents (gas producing food).
* Stop caffeine.
* When flying high and at night use supplemetary oxygen.
FOR LONG FLIGHTS
- Anti-coagulation
- Aspirine 100 mg tablets
- Heparine injections
- Contention leggings
- Feet movements: muscular pumping
- Hydratation and urine evacuation (funnels, bottle)
- Bowels (pampers if diarhea).
- Do not use sleeping pills the night before the flight
- Have a light meal before the fligth
- IF YOU SUFFER FROM SLEEP APNOEA, BEWARE OF STRONG SOMNOLENCE!!! THIS CONDITION IS PROMOTED BY AGE , SMOKING, OVERWEIGHT, ALCOHOL, 'SHORTNIGHT', FATIGUE STRESS AND MIGHT BE DEADLY.
Thanks to Wojciech Mirski, Switzerland.
Earthrounder 2007
www.flying-doctor.ch