Aviation Medicine Research Papers

Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether pilots and non-pilots differ in their susceptibility to spatial disorientation (SD) during a flight in various disorienting scenarios, and in coping with SD. Background: Pilot selection... more

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- by Rafał Lewkowicz
- •
- 6
  Medicine, Experience, Aviation Medicine, Flight Simulator

The study aimed to establish the current incidence and severity of spatial disorientation (SD) in Polish military pilots when flying different aircraft types over their entire careers, and to determine how SD training and pilots' flight... more

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- by Rafał Lewkowicz
- •
- 12
  Aviation Safety, Medicine, Military Aviation, Illusions

The Research and Technology Organization (RTO) of NATO RTO is the single focus in NATO for Defence Research and Technology activities. Its mission is to conduct and promote cooperative research and information exchange. The objective is... more

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- by Anil Raj
- •
- 6
  Prevention, Workload, Aviation Medicine, Aeronautics

A history of United States Air Force developments in military aircrew protective helmets ('personal equipment'), this paper also contains a complementary component pertaining to collecting aspects of same. The main focus is on... more

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- by Kalikiano Kalei
- •
- 2
  Aviation Medicine, Space Medicine

Objectives: The study aimed to establish the current incidence and severity of spatial disorientation (SD) in Polish military pilots when flying different aircraft types over their entire careers, and to determine how SD training and... more

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- by Rafał Lewkowicz
- •
- 9
  Aviation Safety, Military Aviation, Illusions, Aviation Medicine

A series of aircraft accidents in the past three years exposed serious safety problems in Indonesian civil aviation. Latest aviation accident investigations reported that flight crews were mainly responsible for two major accidents... more

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- by Timothy Ravich
- •
- 11
  Aviation, Aviation Safety, Human Factors in Aviation, Aviation Law

Human space colonization will only succeed if evolution is taken into account.

Proper fitment of aircrew equipment assembly involves analysis of human body characteristics (i.e., size and shape), assessment of human-equipment interfaces, accurate determination of ABSTRACT Introduction: Aircrew equipment assemblies... more

Proper fitment of aircrew equipment assembly involves analysis of human body characteristics (i.e., size and shape), assessment of human-equipment interfaces, accurate determination of ABSTRACT Introduction: Aircrew equipment assemblies are life critical equipment worn by the aircrew to ensure protection from various life-threatening environmental conditions that may occur in nominal or off-nominal flight conditions. It is important for the sizing system of body worn aircrew equipment to be divided into different size classes such that it is as representative of existing groups in the population as feasible. Machine learning techniques provide a powerful tool to develop efficient sizing systems that are representative of actual body types existing in the population. The objective of the study was to use machine learning clustering techniques to identify naturally existing body types to formulate an optimal sizing system for an aircrew helmet. Material and Methods: The standard sizing schedule of an aircrew helmet using head length and head breadth was studied. An iterative semi-supervised machine learning protocol called K-means clustering was used to identify naturally occurring clusters of head types within the population. The cluster boundaries were identified to develop the final sizing schedule. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post hoc analysis was carried out on the four head lengths and head breadths. Results: Four clusters of head type were identified using K-means clustering. This led to a sizing schedule which can be descriptively called "Short-Narrow, " "Short-Broad, " "Long-Narrow, " "Long-Broad. " ANOVA showed a statistically significant difference between the four clusters for both head length and head breadth. Conclusion: Consideration of several variables in sizing schedules often fails to meet desired fitment. Standard sizing methods use linear partitions on individual control parameters. In reality, the proportional variation between parameters is not linear. Machine learning tools help in identification of naturally occurring clusters within the database considering several variables at the same time. This study uses machine learning techniques to identify existing groups in a population and develop a final sizing schedule. Similar analysis for other aircrew equipment assemblies can be carried out to determine sizing schedules which assist in design and fitment.

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- by Punyashlok Biswal
- •
- 5
  Ergonomics, Anthropometrics, Aerospace Medicine, Aviation Medicine

Biosensors are promising tools for achieving point-of-care, real-time, human health, and performance monitoring. Nanotechnology can catalyze the process of biosensors miniaturization or can be used for inventing whole-new types of... more

Commercial air travel is amongst the safest forms of transportation yet the environment within the aircraft cabin to which the passenger is exposed may have adverse physiological and psychological effects on passengers, especially for... more

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- by Kerry Palakanis
- •
- 3
  Aviation, Aviation Medicine, Aeronautics

Impaired cockpit environment may influence both well-being and performance of pilots. To study the perception of cockpit environment among pilots, in relation to demographic factors, and type of aircraft (B767-300, B737-600, DC9/21-41, MD... more

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- by Torsten Lindgren
- •
- 16
  Perception, Occupational Health, Medicine, Noise

Pacific Spaceflight's first proof-of concept pressure garment, the Mark I (model Gagarin), was worn by a test subject in a pressure chamber to test stable maintenance of blood oxygenation, body temperature and suit pressure. While... more

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- by Cameron M Smith
- •
- 4
  Space Sciences, Aviation Medicine, Space Medicine, Space Colonization

Audiovisual records of a Project Mercury pilot's activities during an orbital flight indicate that his visor was left open during reentry and descent to the sea surface, phases of flight during which cabin pressure loss was to be... more

Medical emergency on board is a new phenomenon that lack of attention. Despite the presence of cabin crew who is certified to provide medical care to the passenger, failure to acquire the non-technical skills and low level of knowledge... more

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- by John Ribera
- •
- 7
  Volume, Aviation Medicine, Acoustic Attenuation, Background Noise

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- by Simon Folkard
- •
- 18
  Perception, Occupational Health, Prediction, Forecasting

The appeal of online education and distance learning as an educational alternative is ever increasing. To support and accommodate the over-specialized knowledge available by different experts, information technology can be employed to... more

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- by E. Perantoni
- •
- 6
  SCORM, Healthcare, Aerospace Medicine, Aviation Medicine

Abstract: Several recent studies at the US Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory (USAARL) and the US Army Safety Center (USASC) have highlighted the significant contribution of Spatial Disorientation (SD) to helicopter accidents. In the US... more

Aviation Decompression Sickness (DCS) is a well-known and welldocumented phenomenon in which a spectrum of physiological and cognitive symptoms result from aircrew exposures to altitudes greater than roughly 10,000 feet, where atmospheric... more

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- by Cameron M Smith
- •
- 4
  Space Sciences, Aviation Medicine, Space Medicine, Space Colonization

G induced loss of consciousness (G-LOC) is a well reported aeromedical entity among aircrew flying high-performance aircraft. [1] It has been defined as "a state of altered ABSTRACT Introduction: Occurrence of G induced loss of... more

G induced loss of consciousness (G-LOC) is a well reported aeromedical entity among aircrew flying high-performance aircraft. [1] It has been defined as "a state of altered ABSTRACT Introduction: Occurrence of G induced loss of consciousness (G-LOC) during centrifuge training is a known entity. The Indian Air Force is currently undertaking high G training of its fighter pilots in High Performance Human Centrifuge (HPHC) which has significantly higher operational capabilities. The study aimed to analyse the incapacitation periods and myoclonic jerks associated with G-LOC occurring during HPHC training. Material and Methods: Records of episodes of 161 G-LOC during closed loop Rapid Onset Rates (ROR) runs over a period of 7 years from 2011 to 2017 were analyzed. The video recordings of these G-LOC episodes were assessed in terms of the participant demographics, +Gz onset rates, incapacitation periods, and presence or absence of myoclonic jerks during the G-LOC episodes. Descriptive statistics was applied to analyze the incapacitation periods and the duration of the myoclonic flail movements. Single tailed t-test was used to analyze the difference between the incapacitation periods of the aircrew who suffered myoclonic flail movements and those who did not. One-way ANOVA was carried out to assess the differences in incapacitation periods, if any, between aircrew of different age groups. Significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: Of these 161 episodes of G-LOC, 43.5% were seen in trainee aircrew. The mean Absolute Incapacitation Period (AIP), Relative Incapacitation Period (RIP) and Total Incapacitation Period (TIP) was 6.9 ± 2.3 s, 12.2 ± 4.7 s, and 19.1 ± 5.5 respectively. Age and flying experience did not show any significant effect with any of the incapacitation periods (p>0.05). The TIP correlated better with the RIP than with the AIP (Pearson's correlation values of 0.9 and 0.52 respectively). Myoclonic flail movements were witnessed in 25.5% of G-LOC episodes with an average duration of 5.3 s and more than 50% occurring at ≥8Gz. The mean duration of RIP was significantly higher (P=0.03) when G-LOC was associated with myoclonic flail movements, whereas, the duration of AIP did not show any significant difference. Conclusion: The shorter incapacitation periods observed in the study compared to that reported in most of the previous studies could be attributed to the faster Gz offset rates of the present HPHC. Episodes of G-LOC having myoclonic movements were found to have higher relative incapacitation periods. Even though these movements were associated with G-LOC occurring at higher Gz levels, the durations were independent of the Gz levels.

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- by Punyashlok Biswal and +2
  Anupam Agarwal
  Manav Sharma
- •
- Aviation Medicine

Acceleration (+Gz) research and aircrew training using human centrifuges involves considerable stress that can alter normal cardiovascular and neurologic function even in completely healthy individuals. It is clear that... more

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- by Richard Hamilton
- •
- 16
  Gravitation, Stress, Medicine, Electrocardiography

This paper will explore the military medical response to nervous disorders in the Royal Flying Corps. The war in the air exposed pilots to considerable nervous strain, but their unique experiences have been overlooked in favour of... more

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In this presentation I argue that intersections between aviation and medicine have consistently – if not deliberately – accentuated human frailties. From the late eighteenth century, people have taken to the skies in balloons, gliders,... more

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- by John Ribera
- •
- 7
  Volume, Aviation Medicine, Acoustic Attenuation, Background Noise

Can ideas really win wars? Perhaps. But as the story of the
anti-blackout suit developed at the University of Sydney
over 1940–45 suggests, innovators can follow many more
paths to defeat than to victory.

Background: There are two aspects in measurement errors: the closeness of the measured value to the true value (accuracy) and the closeness of two repeated measurements (precision). Anthropometric data is unique because it is virtually... more

Background: There are two aspects in measurement errors: the closeness of the measured value to the true value (accuracy) and the closeness of two repeated measurements (precision). Anthropometric data is unique because it is virtually impossible to measure accuracy as there exists no 'True Value' of measurement against which it can be compared. Therefore, there is never an absolute agreement of measurements and certain amount of uncertainty is inherent to the process. This difference in two measured values (which are expected to be same) can only be quantified in terms of 'Observer Variability'. This study was carried out to study the inter and intra observer variability in anthropometric measurement on the IAM anthropometric platform. Methods: The study was conducted on 07 volunteers, who were part of an Anthropometry Workshop at IAM. The volunteers were divided into two groups. One of the volunteers acted as the subject. Rest of the six volunteers measured four parameters of the subject viz. Sitting Height, Leg Length, Thigh Length and Stature. This was done following the standardized methodology taught to them. The subject was measured by the same six observers the following day for all the four parameters. The inter observer variation was quantified in terms of 'agreement' which depends on the within subject Standard Deviation (SD). The intra observer variation was quantified in terms of 'repeatability' which depends on the between-observer SD. To estimate both these SD, one-way Analysis Of Variance (ANOVA) was used to model the data. Results: The mean Standard Deviation for Intra & Inter Observer measurements was 4 mm & 2.4 mm respectively for Standing Height. The mean Standard Deviation for Intra & Inter Observer measurements was 1.1 mm & 1.3 mm respectively for Sitting Height. The mean Standard Deviation for Intra & Inter Observer measurements was 6 mm & 2.7 mm respectively for Thigh Length. The mean Standard Deviation for Intra & Intra Observer measurements was 0.2 mm & 2 mm respectively for Leg Length. Conclusions: An awareness of the quantity and source of observer variability will assist in implementing the corrective actions like a structured 'training methods in anthropometry'. The results of the study have reinforced the fact that regular training of the personnel involved in performing anthropometry in IAF will certainly aid in limiting the variability within the expected range.

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- by Punyashlok Biswal
- •
- 5
  Ergonomics, Human Factors, Anthropometry, Aerospace Medicine

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- by James Parker
- •
- 11
  Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Military Medicine, Aviation

As plans to bring the United States into the realm of continuously manned space operations are written, questions concerning the medical support of those operations have been raised. A review of the simple, time-tested principles that... more

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- by Richard Hamilton
- •
- 7
  Space flight, Aerospace Medicine, Care, Selection

Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether pilots and non-pilots differ in their susceptibility to spatial disorientation (SD) during a flight in various disorienting scenarios, and in coping with SD. Background: Pilot... more

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- by Rafal Lewkowicz
- •
- 5
  Experience, Aviation Medicine, Flight Simulator, Flight Performance

The impact of travel fatigue and jet lag varies between individuals and may significantly affect the ability of some to perform their occupational role following a transmeridian flight. It would be advantageous in an occupational setting... more

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- by Simon Folkard
- •
- 18
  Perception, Occupational Health, Prediction, Forecasting

General aviation pilots may fly continuously at altitudes up to 12,500 ft. without the use of supplemental oxygen. However hypoxia is a condition that can develop at altitudes under 12,500 ft. Research has shown highly variable tolerance... more

General aviation pilots may fly continuously at altitudes up to 12,500 ft. without the use of supplemental oxygen. However hypoxia is a condition that can develop at altitudes under 12,500 ft. Research has shown highly variable tolerance and performance of individuals during low altitude laboratory exposures with simple and complex tasking. This study evaluated the physiological and subjective responses, as well as the simulated flight performance of general aviation pilots during a crosscountry flight scenario. Ten pilots of a mild hypoxia group were compared with 10 pilots of a normoxic control group. Measurements or flight performance from the Basic General Aviation Research Simulator (BGARS) and of flight-following procedures were gathered during a 3-day, 2 hr. per day, crosscountry flight scenario. Determined by group membership and terrain elevation during the crosscountry flight, subjects breathed either oxygen mixtures simulating sea level, 8,000 ft., lU.OUU ft., and 12,500 ft. altitudes or compressed air, throughout.-^ , \ n_m\ J The physiological measures of oxygen and carbon dioxide partial pressures (P tc C>2 and P tc C02), heart rate (HRj, and blood oxygen saturation (Sa0 2), provided significant results differentiating the 2 pilot groups and the 4 altitude conditions of the hypoxia group. No significant deviations from assigned altitude, VOR radials, or heading were found during cruise flight. However, significandy more procedural errors were committed by the hypoxia group during cruise flight at 10,000 ft. and during the descent and approach phases of flight from 10,000 ft. on Day 3 and during descent from 12,500 ft. on Day 4. Subjective measures of symptoms, workload, and stress provided limited evidence of hypoxic effects, although the hypoxia group reported significantly greater demands on their time during flight, compared to the control group. Also, significant group differences were found in flight following procedural errors, particularly during the descent and approach phases of flight. Recommendations are made to encourage GA pilots to plan their descents from flights above 10,000 ft. to allow sufficient recovery time as a routine precaution to the often undetectable effects of mild hypoxia.

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- by Ladonna Lewis
- •
- 9
  Environmental Science, Hypoxia, Sea Level, Aviation Medicine

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- by Niranjan Suri
- •
- 7
  Engineering, Prevention, Workload, Aviation Medicine

The Bioinformatics Research Team at the Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI) uses data analysis techniques to study issues associated with medical certification decisions and their effects on the U.S. pilot population to ensure safety... more

Background: Physiological effects of +Gz centrifugation are well known. Psychological functioning combined with +Gz centrifugation also appears to be important, but has not yet been sufficiently studied. This study was designed to... more

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- by Alexander von Lünen
- •
- 2
  History of Medicine, Aviation Medicine

Aviation Medicine

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