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The USAF has been using a multivariate method for specifying pilot body size for nearly ten years. The Multivariate Accommodation software was originally written for a VMS environment using the statistical package SAS. It is now available for PC computers. The program is based on the CADRE statistical method developed by Bittner (1987), and the Anthropometric Database at the Computerized Anthropometric Research and Design Laboratory (Robinson et al., 1992), and has been very effective in increasing body size accommodation in USAF cockpit designs. The technique relies on principal component analysis which describes the variation of the original multivariate distribution with a set of orthogonal axes (principal components). Selection of the anthropometric measurements, the number of principal components used to represent the variation in their distribution, and a full understanding of the assumptions implicit in the model are all critical in generating useful representative accommodation cases. The authors will discuss previous applications of the method as well as demonstrate its limitations when used outside of cockpit/workstation designs.

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Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing this collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports (0704-0188), 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number. PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR FORM TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS.

The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing this collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports (0704-0188), 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number. PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR FORM TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS. 1. REPORT DATE (DD-MMM-YYYY) SPONSORING / MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)* SPONSOR / MONITOR'S ACRONYM AFRL-HE-WP-TR-2002-0118 SPONSOR/MONITOR'S REPORT NUMBER(S) DISTRIBUTION / AVAILABILITY STATEMENTApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES ABSTRACTThe USAF is considering relaxing body size entrance requirements for Undergraduate Pilot Training (AFI48-123) to provide equal opportunity for both genders. The research described here was undertaken from 1997 through 2000 to determine the smallest and largest people that can safely and efficiently operate each current USAF aircraft. In the past, aircraft were measured during the procurement process, to ensure they met the specifications set by the USAF, but not to determine the absolute limits of body size accommodation. Body size limit data for each aircraft will help policy makers determine if a change to AFI 48-123 is in the best interest of the USAF by indicating: SUBJECT TERMS1. If pilots of extreme size are safely accommodated in specific cockpits 2. If there are adequate career paths available for pilots of extreme body size within the current and future USAF aircraft inventory, and 3. If there are cost effective modifications that could increase accommodation levels.This research was carried out using live subject trials N= -25 in each aircraft, and then used multiple regression to provide the best estimate for a particular accommodation parameter. We examined seven aspects of anthropometric accommodation in each aircraft: The USAF is considering relaxing body size entrance requirements for Undergraduate Pilot Training (AFI48-123) to provide equal opportunity for both genders. The following research was undertaken from 1997 through 2000 to determine the smallest and largest people that can safely and efficiently operate each current aircraft.In the past, aircraft were measured during the procurement process, to ensure they met the specifications set by the USAF, but not to determine the absolute limits of body size accommodation. Body size limit data for each aircraft will help policy makers determine if a cha...