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G-induced visual and cognitive disturbances in a survey of 65 operational fighter pilots.
Aviat Space Environ Med. 2005 May; 76(5):496-500.AS

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Only one previous study has assessed almost loss of consciousness (A-LOC) in operational fighter pilots, reporting an incidence rate of 14%. Research also indicates that 8-13% of pilots have experienced G-induced loss of consciousness (G-LOC). A-LOC can be as insidious as G-LOC due to the associated altered state of awareness and relative incapacitation time, making it a significant risk factor in the high +Gz environment. Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) pilots currently fly the F/A-18 and Hawk 127, producing +Gz accelerations up to +7.5 Gz, which places these pilots at risk of both A-LOC and G-LOC.

METHODS

A survey was administered to 100 active RAAF fighter pilots requesting information on G-induced visual and cognitive disturbances, A-LOC symptoms, and G-LOC. Details regarding type of aircraft, flying maneuvers performed and mission outcome were also sought.

RESULTS

There were 65 RAAF fighter pilots who completed the survey (age 20-53 yr, height 168-193 cm, weight 64-110 kg, jet hours 30-5700 h). Of these pilots, 98% indicated they had experienced at least one visual or cognitive disturbance in the high G environment: gray-out 98%; black-out 29%; and A-LOC symptoms 52%, including abnormal sensation in limbs, disorientation, and confusion. There were 9% who indicated they had experienced G-LOC (50% were the pilot flying the aircraft).

DISCUSSION

These findings indicate that RAAF fighter pilots are experiencing a similar rate of visual disturbances and G-LOC when compared with other air forces. However, RAAF pilots reported a much higher incidence of A-LOC compared with the only other study of operational fighter pilots.

Authors+Show Affiliations

Rickards CA
Aerospace Physiology Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences, Science, Engineering and Technology Portfolio, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia. caroline.rickards@rmit.edu.au
Newman DG
No affiliation info available

MeSH

AdultAerospace MedicineAircraftAustraliaBody SizeCognition DisordersConfusionGravity SuitsHealth SurveysHumansHypergravityIncidenceMiddle AgedMilitary PersonnelParesthesiaVision Disorders

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

15892551

Citation

Rickards, Caroline A., and David G. Newman. "G-induced Visual and Cognitive Disturbances in a Survey of 65 Operational Fighter Pilots." Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, vol. 76, no. 5, 2005, pp. 496-500.
Rickards CA, Newman DG. G-induced visual and cognitive disturbances in a survey of 65 operational fighter pilots. Aviat Space Environ Med. 2005;76(5):496-500.
Rickards, C. A., & Newman, D. G. (2005). G-induced visual and cognitive disturbances in a survey of 65 operational fighter pilots. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 76(5), 496-500.
Rickards CA, Newman DG. G-induced Visual and Cognitive Disturbances in a Survey of 65 Operational Fighter Pilots. Aviat Space Environ Med. 2005;76(5):496-500. PubMed PMID: 15892551.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - G-induced visual and cognitive disturbances in a survey of 65 operational fighter pilots. AU - Rickards,Caroline A, AU - Newman,David G, PY - 2005/5/17/pubmed PY - 2005/8/2/medline PY - 2005/5/17/entrez SP - 496 EP - 500 JF - Aviation, space, and environmental medicine JO - Aviat Space Environ Med VL - 76 IS - 5 N2 - INTRODUCTION: Only one previous study has assessed almost loss of consciousness (A-LOC) in operational fighter pilots, reporting an incidence rate of 14%. Research also indicates that 8-13% of pilots have experienced G-induced loss of consciousness (G-LOC). A-LOC can be as insidious as G-LOC due to the associated altered state of awareness and relative incapacitation time, making it a significant risk factor in the high +Gz environment. Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) pilots currently fly the F/A-18 and Hawk 127, producing +Gz accelerations up to +7.5 Gz, which places these pilots at risk of both A-LOC and G-LOC. METHODS: A survey was administered to 100 active RAAF fighter pilots requesting information on G-induced visual and cognitive disturbances, A-LOC symptoms, and G-LOC. Details regarding type of aircraft, flying maneuvers performed and mission outcome were also sought. RESULTS: There were 65 RAAF fighter pilots who completed the survey (age 20-53 yr, height 168-193 cm, weight 64-110 kg, jet hours 30-5700 h). Of these pilots, 98% indicated they had experienced at least one visual or cognitive disturbance in the high G environment: gray-out 98%; black-out 29%; and A-LOC symptoms 52%, including abnormal sensation in limbs, disorientation, and confusion. There were 9% who indicated they had experienced G-LOC (50% were the pilot flying the aircraft). DISCUSSION: These findings indicate that RAAF fighter pilots are experiencing a similar rate of visual disturbances and G-LOC when compared with other air forces. However, RAAF pilots reported a much higher incidence of A-LOC compared with the only other study of operational fighter pilots. SN - 0095-6562 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/15892551/G_induced_visual_and_cognitive_disturbances_in_a_survey_of_65_operational_fighter_pilots_ DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -