CAMI Aerospace Physiology Training

[flyer8]

Since I decided to go west for this summer (6 more weeks baby!) to tow and do some wave flying, I signed up for the Aerospace Physiology Training at Andrews AFB, the programm also lets you go into a hypobaric chamber.

Well,
I drove from NY which took 5 hours, stayed at the super8 which was right across the street from the AFB. The hotel was ok, unfortunatly at 2 AM the paper thin walls made me wake up to a couple having sex next door, thank god it only about 2 minutes.

ANYWAYS, at 7:30 the course started. The military personell there was absolutlet great! the major point of the class were:
Physics of the Atmosphere
Respiration and Circulation
Decompressions
Stress
Hypoxia
Hyperventilation
Decompression Sickness
Pressure Equalization Difficulties
General Aviation Oxygen Equipment
Altitude Chamber Oxygen Equipment Familiarization
Altitude Chamber Flight Profile & Flight
Night Vision
Spatial disorentation
Fitness

The Chamber flight was probably the most exciting thing of them all!
You get a helmet and mask, and then get put in the chamber. It went as follows

• 30 minutes denit at normal altitude
• quick jump to 5000 feet for the sinus check
• back down to normal altitude.
• At this point one person quit due to sinus problems
• To 8000 feet
• level off
• Rapid decompression to FL250
• We were given a clipboard with some math problems and a maze and symptoms to circle

Once I was off oxygen at FL250, I started the math problems and completed 4 out of 5, the last one was too hard. I started getting somewhat dizzy on the 3rd problem. When I started the maze my muscles just started to feel numb and also were tickeling. Lastly I also got red as a tomato before finally, I put the mask back on without first switching the oxygen supply back on, a quick hint from the instructor fixed that.
Then back down to normal altitude.

The class was done by 4 PM at which point you will get a small certificate for the completion of the class

Overall it was a wonderful experience and well worth the $50.

I would highly recomend this course any pilot!


For more info:
http://www.faa.gov/pilots/training/airman_education/aerospace_physiology/

BTW: Sorry for some typos, somewhat in a hurry right now...

 

[H46Bubba]

You paid $50 bucks to do that. Hell, I got paid to do it! I got to play pattycake with my classmate. I hit her in the forehead before I put my mask back on.:laff:

 

[zmiller4]

It's definately the best $50 you can spend. For all of you California people, go do it at Beale AFB!! The guys that run it are the physiological support unit for the U2's, and they *really* know their stuff. It was an awesome experience.