What You'll Learn

This course includes essential knowledge to ensure safety and optimize performance in high-altitude environments. It is useful for all aircrew, whether operating below 10,000 feet or regularly above 40,000 feet.

  • Human Adaptation to Flight

    Understand effects of the aviation environment on the human body. Learn the physiological requirements to cope with the dynamic flight environments.

  • Key Physiological Challenges

    Learn how barometric pressure changes, temperature variations, and high-speed movement impact the human body.

  • Pressurization and Aircrew Equipment

    Explore critical equipment for aviation physiology and life support, maintaining human performance under strenuous conditions.

  • Upper Atmospheric Characteristics

    Study the different atmospheric zones and their effects on the human physiology.

  • Hypoxia and Hyperventilation

    Learn to identify, manage, and prevent the symptoms of hypoxia and hyperventilation, ensuring safety and operational efficiency.

  • Spatial Disorientation

    Understand the mechanisms and mitigation strategies for spatial disorientation. Learn to prevent and address specific types of disorientation.

This course includes:

Learn the fundamental principles of aviation physiology. This on-demand format is perfect for continuing education and professional development, with the ability for enrolled students to engage in discussions / ask questions directly of the instructor via the Daedalus Aerospace training platform.

  • 4 hours of on-demand video

  • Practical instruction from a leading expert on aerospace medicine

  • Access on mobile device, tablet, or computer

  • Certificate of completion

  • Access to instructor for questions

Enroll Now

Get instant access to all course materials and interact directly with your instructor through the Daedalus Aerospace learning platform.

Course curriculum

    1. Introduction and Welcome

    2. Pre-Course Survey

    3. The Atmosphere

    4. Respiration

    5. Circulation

    6. Hypoxia

    7. Hyperventilation

    1. Trapped Gas

    2. Decompression Sickness

    3. Pressurization and Decompression

    4. Oxygen Equipment

    5. Altitude Chamber Flight

      FREE PREVIEW

    1. Spatial Disorientation

    2. Self-Induced Stress

    3. Noise Exposure

    4. Vision

    5. Physical Fitness

    1. Wrap Up

    2. Course Exit Survey

    3. End of Course Test

About this course

  • $199.00
  • 20 lessons
  • 4 hours of video content

Why Choose This Course?

  • The Federal Aviation Administration mandates high altitude operations training for crew of high performance aircraft operating regularly above 18,000 feet in 14 CFR 61.31(g).

  • The FAA recommends this training in Advisory Circular (AC) 61-107B, Operations of Aircraft at Altitudes Above 25,000 Feet and/or Mach Numbers (MMO) Greater than .75.

  • Expert Instruction: Taught by an experienced flight surgeon and aviation professional.

  • Comprehensive Curriculum: Covering all critical aspects of aviation physiology.

  • Flexible Learning: Access course modules on-demand to learn at your own pace.

  • Practical application: Directly relevant to your aerospace physiological challenges.

Expand your knowledge of aerospace physiology

Pilots and aircrew will learn key concepts needed to maintain safety and human performance during flight, while medical professionals will gain enhanced expertise in aviation medicine to improve support for aircrew and passengers.

This course meets the high altitude ground training requirements of 14 CFR 61.31(g) and the high altitude weather ground training requirements of FAR 135.345(a)(3) (Initial) and 135.351(b)(2) (Recurrent) for Part 135 operators. The course includes the FAA High Altitude Operations pilot training recommendations published in AC 61-107B.
Enroll Now
Time of useful consciousness after rapid decompression

Course References

This course provides key understanding of altitude physiology and related aerospace medicine topics, and is based on the following textbooks.

This book is the primary course reference, forming the foundation for instruction in aviation physiology.

"Introduction to Aviation Physiology" published by the U.S. Department of Transportation . 

For best learning outcomes, we recommend you obtain a copy of this text for synergistic reference as you watch the course videos.

A supplemental, optional course reference is "Aerospace Physiology: Aeromedical and Human Performance Factors for Pilots", published January 30, 2023 (second edition) by Steven C. Martin. It's not mandatory to to complete this course, but some instruction will refer to this supplemental text. 

It's highly recommended for professional practice in aerospace medicine/aerospace physiology.

Your Instructor

Instructor Flight Test Engineer and Flight Surgeon Chris Salvino

Dr. Chris Salvino is a graduate of the National Test Pilot School and brings a wealth of experience in aviation, medicine, and engineering. As a former US Air Force Flight Surgeon and currently a practicing trauma/critical care surgeon, his aerospace and medical experience includes serving as State Air Surgeon for Indiana and an F-16 flight surgeon for the Air National Guard. His military service includes deployments to Antarctica and participation in the Air Force Top Knife Program. Dr. Salvino's aerospace experience extends far beyond the military; he founded an FAA Part 135 EMS air ambulance program (rotor and fixed wing) and has extensive experience as an Aviation Medical Examiner. He's a seasoned lecturer on aerospace medicine and altitude physiology. He has completed aerobatic, instrument, multi-engine and commercial pilot certificates including Learjet Part 135 initial and L-39 ground and refresher schools. He served as a Part 135 Learjet pilot flying both medical as well as business clients and has logged time at the flight controls of over 16 different aircraft. Academically, Dr. Salvino holds impressive credentials: a Doctor of Medicine degree, two undergraduate degrees in biology and mechanical engineering, and six master's degrees spanning space studies, flight test technology, aerospace medicine, planetary geology, engineering mining, and aerospace engineering. He's currently pursuing a Ph.D. in engineering mining, focusing on lunar Helium-3 extraction to fuel future Earth based fusion reactors.

What's it like to learn with Daedalus Aerospace

Interact with your instructor, ask questions, and learn at your own pace.

Daedalus Aerospace provides training and tools for aerospace professionals, with on-demand courses in flight test planning/execution, risk management, and data analytics. Our courses communicate the same concepts taught at accredited test pilot schools and used by leading flight test centers. Learn the principles, tools and processes used by flight test professionals, without the travel and high cost of in-person training. Few have opportunity to attend a test pilot school, but you and your team can benefit from the same knowledge. 

Stay on frequency with Daedalus Aerospace!

Sign up now for the latest course updates and specials.

Thank You

Enroll Now

Get instant access to all course materials and interact directly with your instructor through the Daedalus Aerospace learning platform.

Need Group Training?

Daedalus Aerospace offers discounted group enrollments, with web dashboard access for your training manager.

Learn More