Biodynamic effects of canopy loss in the TF-15 aircraft

In-flight canopy loss in high-speed fighter or trainer aircraft poses serious aeromedical problems for the crew-members. To assess these problems in the TF-15, a series of canopy-off tests were conducted. Preliminary phases of the test consisted of a taxi and a flight test up to 485 knots with pilot in the front seat and an instrumented dummy in the back seat. Upon evaluation of these results, a taxi phase and a flight phase were conducted with a pilot in the front seat and a live subject in the back seat. Maximum air-speed attained was 410 knots. The front crewmember experienced no serious control or medical problems during all phases. The back crewmember did experience problems such as loss of communications, loss of vision, helmet lift, high frequency head buffet, and exhalation difficulties. Airspeed, seat height, and body position had the greatest effect on the severity of the windblast. Angle of bank, angle of attack, and acceleration had little effect. The aft crewmember was able to significantly decrease windblast effects by leaning forward and pulling his head and helmet forward and down with his hand.