Physiologic Challenges to Pilots of Modern High Performance Aircraft

Abstract

Fourth generation aircraft, such as the McDonnell Douglas F-15 "Eagle," and the fifth generation platforms that followed, including the Lockheed Martin F-22 "Raptor," pose unique physiological challenges to arguably the most important "system" on the aircraft, the human. Advances in aeronautical engineering have enabled next-generation aircraft to operate well beyond the natural limits of human endurance. Although the demand for unmanned systems is increasing exponentially, continued use of manned aircraft is still desirable within civilian and military operations for various safety and security reasons. With the continued presence of pilots in cockpits, future aircraft designers will require a basic understanding of the unique physiological factors affecting human performance in this domain. Given knowledge of human limitations, strategies for real-time on board monitoring of the "human system" may be employed to increase the safety of the pilot and aircraft.

Estimation of Redox Status in Military Pilots during Hypoxic Flight-Simulation Conditions—A Pilot Study

“…Aerospace medicine is a sub-specialty of the discipline of Occupational Medicine, focusing on ensuring the safety, health and performance of pilots and personnel exposed to air- and space-operational settings [ 1 ]. Among the unique challenges of the fighter cockpit environments posing additional physiological stress to the military pilots, are exposure to radiation, microgravity or hypoxic conditions, multi-axial G-forces, and elevated temperature and humidity, etc.…”

“…Among the unique challenges of the fighter cockpit environments posing additional physiological stress to the military pilots, are exposure to radiation, microgravity or hypoxic conditions, multi-axial G-forces, and elevated temperature and humidity, etc. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ].…”

Risks and Countermeasures for the Musculoskeletal systems in the Extreme Environment of Aviators and Astronauts

“…In addition, because many astronaut pilots and commanders are prior military HPJA aircrew, it becomes even more important to consider the physiologic implications of jet flight. Pilots are exposed to a large amount of both physical and mental stress during training and duty, and because of this selection pressure, pilots are typically young and fit compared to the general population [2]. New generations of fighter aircraft have pushed both planes and aviators to the limits of their capabilities, such that even young and fit pilots are prone to injuries that occur as a result of flight.The high G-force maneuvers and rapid forces that act upon pilots are detrimental to the spinal cord and neck.…”