G stress on A-10 pilots during JAWS II exercises

Gz loads in A-10 aircraft were recorded on nine sorties during JAWS II exercises, and the pilots completed questionnaires on the effects of G stress in the A-10. Analysis of the recordings provided, among other statistics, the following means: maneuvering time, 28 min; peak +Gz load, +6.2; peak -Gz load, -0.1; G-time integral above 4 G, 85 G.s; G onsets greater than or equal to 6 G/s, 13. The questionnaires and follow-up interviews generated little evidence of G intolerance; the pilots did report significant task saturation, however. To compare the physiologic effects of G stress in the A-10 with those of G stress in the F-4, eight volunteer subjects were exposed to simulated A-10 and F-4 missions on the USAFSAM centrifuge. Although the two G-stress profiles were equally difficult and fatiguing, the subjects experienced less visual loss and had lower maximum heart rates during the A-10 profile.