A New Way of Flight Training… - American Bonanza Society

How does one suspect sleep apnea
Clues include snoring, choking,
gasping, morning headaches,
fragmented sleep, non-restful sleep,
impaired memory and concentration,
and multiple accidents. The diagnosis
of sleep apnea is dependent
on a sleep study (polysomnogram).
This is done in a laboratory where
breathing, oxygen saturation, and
other parameters can be monitored
while you sleep. A split-night study
refers to a single study in which the
diagnosis is based upon the first half
of a one-night study, and a treatment
trial during the second half. This saves
time and expense.
The most commonly employed
treatment of sleep apnea is continuous
positive airway pressure or CPAP.
Air pressure is supplied during sleep
to physically inflate the upper air passages
to prevent their collapse and
resulting airway obstruction.
www.bonanza.org
Should we pilots care about
sleep apnea I think we should
for two reasons. One would be
the safety of flight, which requires
attention and vigilance – we want to
be at the top of our game. The second
would be long term health effects. We
don’t want our flying years cut short
by stroke or heart disease. My pilot
colleagues with sleep apnea feel so
much better with treatment.
I think sleep apnea is worthy
of consideration for some of us.
Dr. Hastings is certified in neurology and
is a leading expert on aviation medicine,
regularly consulting with FAA, AOPA, EAA
and speaking on topics of aeromedical
factors at symposia by aviation agencies
around the world. Jack served two terms
on the ABS Board of Directors and was
president of ABS for 2003-2004.
Congratulations to these ABS members
who have earned ABS AVIATOR status.
To participate, send copies of your training
certificates to absmail@bonanza.org, or
fax (316) 945-1710 attn: ABS AVIATOR.
Level 1
Henry Venable, Houston, Texas
Charles Watson, Austin, Texas
George Yarbrough, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Dave Youngblood, College Station, Texas
Paul Douthat, Shawnee Mission, Kansas
Peter Holman, Vancouver, Washington
Randolph Alexander, Lake Charles, Louisiana
Tom Ball, Montgomery, Texas
David Burgin, Lafayette, Louisiana
Richard Crowe, Buckholts, Texas
Ron Hyde, Kenedy, Texas
Paul Stafford, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Reagan Stone, Corpus Christi, Texas
Paul Sherrerd, Omaha, Nebraska
Bill Napier, Jacksonville, Florida
Tom Solano, Jacksonville, Florida
Robert Hardcopf, Apple Valley, Minnesota
Efrain Gonzalez, Manhattan Beach, California
Harold Bost, Fayetteville, Georgia
Dan Griffin, Jacksonville, Florida
William Disser, Saratoga, California
Justin Graff, Belden, Mississippi
Peter Grass, Lexington, Kentucky
Ken Lapp, Rocky View, Alberta
Marie Phillips, South Point, Ohio
N. Gregory Soter, Orem, Utah
John Wright, Sebestopol, California
Nelson Whitt, South Point, Ohio
Level 2
George Reich, Colleyville, Texas
Thomas Rosen, Lincoln, California
William Webster, Two Rivers, Wisconsin
Level 3
William Runyon, Ft Worth, Texas
William (Bud) Hoffner, Chesterfield, Missouri
Kent Ewing, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Chuck Zuvers, Blue Springs, Missouri
Level 4
Paul Anderson, Duluth, Minnesota
Gary Kearney, Boston, Massachusetts
Jeffrey Huber, Bellefontaine, Ohio
Level 5
William Donawick, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
Lifetime MASteR AviATORs
George Warren, Oak View, California
Dennis Tryon, Wickenburg, Arizona
40 AMERICAN BONANZA SOCIETY JANUARY 2012