FAA Sport Pilot Airplane (SPA)Human Factors and ADMEasy
A pilot has been awake for 20 hours and decides to fly a planned cross-country trip anyway because the weather is good. During the flight, the pilot has difficulty maintaining altitude and makes several small errors in radio communication. Which factor is most likely degrading this pilot's performance?
- AFatigue
- BHypoxia
- CHyperventilation
- DDehydration
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Fatigue
Fatigue from extended wakefulness reduces attention, reaction time, and judgment, closely mirroring the effects of alcohol impairment. Being awake for 20 hours can impair performance similarly to a blood alcohol level near the legal limit.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Hypoxia is caused by insufficient oxygen at altitude, not indicated by the scenario.
- C. Hyperventilation is caused by rapid breathing from anxiety, not simply from being awake a long time.
- D. Dehydration can contribute to fatigue but is not directly stated as the cause here.
Fatigue
A state of reduced mental and physical performance resulting from lack of sleep, extended wakefulness, or physical/mental exertion.
- Being awake 20+ hours can mimic 0.08 BAC impairment
- Acute fatigue is relieved by sleep; chronic fatigue accumulates over days
- Impairs judgment, reaction time, and attention
Memory trick: '20 hours awake = one drink deep' impairment level