High performance supine flight assessment using the NAWC dynamic flight simulator

To determine the feasibility of high-performance supine flight, the USAF Canopy Escape Module (65 degree seat-back-angle) was modified and deployed into the Naval Air Warfare Center Dynamic Flight Simulator.

Seven male subjects performed a flight syllabus consisting of instrument flight maneuvers (high-G level turns, ILS task, vertical S-2, Half Cuban Eight). Subjects were trained and performed under both 1 g (static) and dynamic conditions in supine and upright postures. Data were assessed to determine the effects of motion (G) and seat position. A weighted objective performance grading scheme was devised based on the ability to achieve specified flight parameters.

This paper presents the analysis of the first two tasks. During the turns, motion effects did not effect the ability to maintain specified G loads when supine, whereas there were significant differences when upright. Also, there were lower error rates under static, as compared to dynamic, conditions. Even though subjects demonstrated lower error rates during dynamic turns when upright, there were few significant differences referable to body position. Overall, subjects with the most flight experience performed better upright than supinated, while a naive subject flew significantly better supine. Notably, one subject did experience a G-induced loss of consciousness (G-LOC) and an almost LOC event during a supinated high-G turn. Body position or motion effects did not significantly alter ILS task performance.

High performance supine flight is feasible and additional study is warranted. Important and unanticipated performance-related decrements were discovered only through the use of dynamic flight simulation.