S.E.M.A.

On October 25, 1999, about 1213 central daylight time (CDT), a Learjet Model 35, N47BA, operated by Sunjet Aviation, Inc., of Sanford, Florida, crashed near Aberdeen, South Dakota.  All occupants on board the airplane (the captain, first officer, and four passengers, included the famous golf player Payne Stewart) were killed, and the airplane was destroyed….

Leer más…

The NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) presents its most wanted list of Transportation Safety Improvements. Regarding to Aviation: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) should Improve Oversight of Pilot Proficiency, Require Image Recorders inside cockpits, Improve the Safety of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Flights, Improve Runway Safety, Reduce Dangers to Aircraft Flying in Icing Conditions, Improve Crew Resource Management, and Reduce Accidents and Incidents Caused by Human Fatigue in the Aviation Industry.

** ¿Do you want to read the whole list regarding Rail, Marine, Highway and Aviation Safety improvements?

       NTSB Most Wanted Transportation Safety Improvements 2010

FAA will allow some pilots to fly while taking one of four approved medications for mild to moderate depression, provided they have been stable on the medication .On a case-by-case basis beginning April 5, pilots who take one of four antidepressant medications – Fluoxetine (Prozac), Sertraline (Zoloft), Citalopram (Celexa), or Escitalopram (Lexapro) – will be allowed to fly if they have been satisfactorily treated on the medication for at least 12 months.The FAA’s policy is consistent with recommendations from the Aerospace Medical Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Air Line Pilots Association and the International Civil Aviation Organization.

** FAA Proposes New Policy on Antidepressants for Pilots

** FAA Policy on Antidepressants: Questions and Answers

Cada día hay al menos unos diez volcanes en actividad en el globo. Las nubes de ceniza que expulsan son un riesgo para los aviones ya que se componen de pequeñas partículas que pueden tener un efecto abrasivo a altas velocidades. A diferencia de otros fenómenos meteorológicos, los radares de los aviones no pueden detectar la presencia de nubes de ceniza volcánica, que pueden alcanzar las altitudes de crucero de las aeronaves… Leer más…

The Civil Aviation Authority(UK) initiated its research programme into cabin air quality in 2001 after a small number of events, including two on UK registered aircraft, where flight crew were partially incapacitated. Evidence from these incidents indicated that contamination of the ventilation systems by engine oil fumes was the most likely cause…

Leer más…

Air travel is now a common mode of travel for millions. Over 25 years ago it was already estimated that 5% of commercial airline passengers were ambulatory patients with some illness including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There are still no established methods for quantifying the risk of in-flight medical problems

Leer más…

Siguiendo con la serie de estudios publicados por el médico aeronáutico David.G.Newman para el ATSB australiano, hoy resaltamos este estudio analítico descriptivo de 517 casos de despresurización durante un periodo bastante amplio (30 años) de la aviación australiana. El 98% (507 casos) fueron incidentes sin lesionados, pero hubo 1 caso de accidente fatal ( un vuelo charter de un Beech 200 ) y 8 incidentes serios, en los que se reportaron hipoxia (4 casos) y barotrauma del oído (4 casos)…

Leer más…

An index to Federal Aviation Administration Office of Aerospace Medicine Reports (1964-2008) and Civil Aeromedical Institute Reports (1961-1963) is presented for those engaged in aviation medicine and related activities. The index lists all FAA aerospace medicine technical reports published from 1961 through 2008:chronologically, alphabetically by author, and alphabetically by subject,

Leer más…

ESAM (European Society of Aerospace Medicine) is a european independent forum for Aerospace Medicine, especially to assist in education and exchange aeromedical information, as well as coordinate aeromedical efforts within european community,working for health and safety of all persons involved in aviation and space operations, included passengers. The First General Assembly took place at Brussels on Novembre/2006….

Leer más…

“El Ejército del Aire viene proporcionando entrenamiento específico en altas  aceleraciones para pilotos de aeronaves de alta maniobrabilidad desde finales de la década de los 80, en que viajó el primer grupo a las instalaciones del Center for Man in Aviation (CML) de la Real Fuerza Aérea Holandesa, próximo a la Base Aérea de Soesterberg, a unos 9 km de Amersfoort (Holanda); donde se ha recibido siempre un excelente entrenamiento, y al que he tenido la oportunidad de acudir en al menos 4 ocasiones, unas veces como médico de vuelo de Unidad y otras ya como médico del CIMA.

¿En que consiste uno de los entrenamientos fisiológicos más interesantes y llamativos que tenemos en la medicina de la aviación? El entrenamiento en Centrífuga Humana (por favor, centrífuga, no centrifugadora, que aunque solo sea “visualmente” es muy diferente!) se contempla en el STANAG Nº 3827 (“Requerimientos mínimos para entrenamiento de las tripulaciones aéreas en ambiente de altas “G” sostenidas”), lo que nos obliga a pasarlo. Los “mínimos” del STANAG determinan en este caso, entre otras cosas, que se deben alcanzar 7G durante 15 segundo con incremento de al menos 1G/segundo.

Así comienza este interesante artículo publicado en la web del Ministerio de Defensa /Ejercito del Aire , nuestra compañera de la Junta de la SEMA Beatriz Puente Espada…

Leer más…