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Human tolerance to Gz acceleration loads generated in high-performance helicopters.
1Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, MD 20670-1906, USA. ShenderBS@navair.navy.mil
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|August 17, 2001
Summary
Helicopter aircrew can tolerate current G-loads, but future high-G maneuvers increase physiological stress, impacting vision and heart rate. G-awareness training is recommended for enhanced safety in advanced aircraft.
Area of Science:
- Aerospace Medicine
- Human Factors Engineering
- Physiology
Background:
- Increasing Gz capabilities in tactical helicopters pose risks to aircrew.
- Physiological responses to high Gz transitions require investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the physiological impact of current and future helicopter G-loads on aircrew.
- To evaluate Gz tolerance and cardiovascular stress during simulated helicopter maneuvers.
Main Methods:
- Nine volunteers underwent simulated helicopter missions (-1 Gz to +4.5 Gz) on a centrifuge.
- Measurements included blood pressure, heart rate, visual perception, and fatigue.
- Scenarios simulated current (CM) and future (FM) platform capabilities, including push-pull missions (PPM).
Main Results:
- Current G-loads were tolerated, but future G-loads (FM) significantly increased cardiovascular stress and reduced Gz tolerance.
- Visual decrements and light loss occurred during -Gz to +Gz transitions, especially in FM.
- Four subjects reported symptoms of almost-loss of consciousness (A-LOC) during FM.
Conclusions:
- Current helicopter G-loads pose minimal risk, but future aggressive platforms necessitate G-awareness training.
- Further research is needed on the effects of extended missions and dehydration on Gz tolerance.