Definition
Conditions affecting the pilot's body and mind that can degrade performance in flight, including hypoxia, hyperventilation, dehydration, fatigue, stress, motion sickness, spatial disorientation, and the effects of alcohol, drugs, or carbon monoxide.
Plain English
Things going on inside the pilot's body or head that can make them fly worse, even if the aircraft is working perfectly.
Context Anchor
Seen in safety and preflight self-check discussions, especially when deciding whether you are fit to fly.
Derivation
From Greek physis ('nature, body') and logos ('study'). Physiological refers to how the body functions. The phrase points to body-based conditions that influence pilot performance.
Why Pilots Care
Unrecognized physiological factors can lead to errors in judgment, loss of aircraft control, or complete incapacitation, directly contributing to preventable accidents.
Grounding Statement
If your body is not getting what it needs—oxygen, rest, water, or clear senses—your flying performance can drop before you realize it.
Intuition Check
Do not treat physiological factors as general health trivia. In this FAA safety context, they are body conditions that can directly affect flight safety.
Example Sentence 1
Before launching on a long cross-country, the pilot reviewed physiological factors such as rest, hydration, and recent meals.
Example Sentence 2
The safety briefing covered how to recognize physiological factors like hypoxia at altitude and respond with proper oxygen use.