IRFP-01
Metro Review
(a) The otolith organs (utricle and
saccule) are small sacs at the
base of the semicircular canals
(b) They are embedded with
sensory hairs and contain a
membrane with chalk-like
crystals called otoliths
(c) As the head moves or body
moves, the movement of the
membrane against the sensory
hairs register gravity
(d) When the forces of acceleration
and deceleration stimulate the
otoliths, without visual reference,
the body can't tell the difference
between the inertial forces
resulting from acceleration/
deceleration and the forces of
gravity
(e) Acceleration may give the
sensation of tilting backwards
(f) Deceleration may give the
perception of pitching forward
3.
Somatosensory System
a.
Comprised of nerves in the skin, muscles,
joints, and internal organs, along with hearing
b.
The nerves sense pressure differentials
c.
While in flight, these sensations are most
acutely felt where the body and the aircraft
meet, namely on the seat. This originated the
term "seat-of-the-pants" flying
d.
Hearing can determine our position relative to a
sound source
B. Sensory Illusions
1.
All three sensory systems are prone to errors
2.
In some cases, we may have the illusion of
straight-and-level when we're almost inverted
(8-97) Change 2
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