ABSTRACT
All craft that venture into the air fly in, and sometimes beyond, the Earth’s atmosphere. The nature of that atmosphere influences how the craft is flown and has direct consequences for the occupants. The physical and chemical properties of the environment that envelops the earth induce physiological effects, and those effects can be deleterious or even hazardous to the aviator on ascent or descent. It is for this reason that this book contains chapters on the physiological, psychological and medical effects of flight. However, before embarking on the study of those scientific and clinical factors, it is appropriate to consider the nature of that environment.
