Visual contrast sensitivity of U.S. Navy jet pilots

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Aerospace Medicine
• Human Factors

Background:

• Visual contrast sensitivity (CS) is considered vital for military aviator performance.
• CS has been proposed as a physical standard for aviator selection and retention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the role of CS in military aviator selection.
• To compare CS in U.S. Navy fighter pilots versus non-aviators.
• To determine if CS correlates with air combat maneuver training and night carrier landing performance.

Main Methods:

• Measured CS in 135 U.S. Navy fighter pilots (ages 24-44).
• Compared pilot CS data with published data from non-aviators using similar methodology and equipment (Nicolet CST 2000).
• Correlated pilot CS with air-to-air target detection distances and night carrier landing scores.

Main Results:

• Mean CS between aviators and non-aviators was largely comparable, with minor differences explained by methodological factors.
• High correlation among sensitivities to different spatial frequencies indicated measurement redundancy.
• No significant relationship was found between CS and air-to-air target detection distances or night carrier landing performance.

Conclusions:

• Visual contrast sensitivity does not appear to be a differentiating factor for U.S. Navy fighter pilots.
• Current CS measurement methods may have redundancy.
• CS may not be a suitable criterion for aviator selection or retention based on this study's findings.