Are aeromedical factors on the FAA Private Pilot knowledge test?

Yes.

Aeromedical factors are ACS Task PA.I.H, Human Factors, which lists twelve aeromedical and physiological issues from hypoxia to scuba diving.

The ACS states that "Knowledge and risk management elements are primarily evaluated during the knowledge testing phase of the airman certification process." It does not publish how many questions each topic gets, so this page lists the tasks and elements that cover the topic instead.

In plain words

Aeromedical factors are the ways the body and mind react to flight. PA.I.H.K1 asks for the symptoms, recognition, causes, effects, and corrective actions of twelve issues, including hypoxia, hyperventilation, spatial disorientation, carbon monoxide poisoning, fatigue and optical illusions.

The same task covers the rules and effects of alcohol, drugs and over-the-counter medications (PA.I.H.K2 and PA.I.H.K3), and risk element PA.I.H.R1 asks you to manage aeromedical and physiological issues, not only name them.

What the FAA says you must know

Area of Operation I, Task H. Human Factors (PA.I.H)

Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with personal health, flight physiology, and aeromedical and human factors related to safety of flight.

Knowledge: the applicant demonstrates understanding of:

PA.I.H.K1 Symptoms, recognition, causes, effects, and corrective actions associated with aeromedical and physiological issues, including:
PA.I.H.K1a Hypoxia
PA.I.H.K1b Hyperventilation
PA.I.H.K1c Middle ear and sinus problems
PA.I.H.K1d Spatial disorientation
PA.I.H.K1e Motion sickness
PA.I.H.K1f Carbon monoxide poisoning
PA.I.H.K1g Stress
PA.I.H.K1h Fatigue
PA.I.H.K1i Dehydration and nutrition
PA.I.H.K1j Hypothermia
PA.I.H.K1k Optical illusions
PA.I.H.K1l Dissolved nitrogen in the bloodstream after scuba dives
PA.I.H.K2 Regulations regarding use of alcohol and drugs.
PA.I.H.K3 Effects of alcohol, drugs, and over-the-counter medications.

Risk management: the applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with:

PA.I.H.R1 Aeromedical and physiological issues.

Source: FAA, Private Pilot for Airplane Category Airman Certification Standards (FAA-S-ACS-6C, November 2023), quoted as published; the page lists the elements that cover this topic, not every element of each task. Skill elements are tested on the practical test, where the ACS says the evaluator must test each one by observing the applicant perform it.

Original practice questions

Written by Capxule from the ACS text quoted above. These are not FAA questions.

1. Which of these does PA.I.H.K1 list as an aeromedical or physiological issue?
- A. Dissolved nitrogen in the bloodstream after scuba dives
- B. Engine carburetor icing
- C. Density altitude
Show the answer
A. Dissolved nitrogen in the bloodstream after scuba dives
PA.I.H.K1l reads "Dissolved nitrogen in the bloodstream after scuba dives". The other two are not in the Human Factors task.
2. For each aeromedical issue, PA.I.H.K1 asks for symptoms, recognition, causes, effects, and what else?
- A. Corrective actions
- B. Treatment costs
- C. Reporting forms
Show the answer
A. Corrective actions
PA.I.H.K1 reads "Symptoms, recognition, causes, effects, and corrective actions associated with aeromedical and physiological issues".
3. Where does the ACS cover over-the-counter medications?
- A. PA.I.H.K3
- B. PA.I.F.K2
- C. PA.I.C.K1
Show the answer
A. PA.I.H.K3
PA.I.H.K3 is "Effects of alcohol, drugs, and over-the-counter medications."

Practise for the FAA Private Pilot knowledge test

Original practice questions written from current FAA sources, with mock tests that follow the published test format.

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