Stability of Simulated Flight Path Control at +3 G<SUB>z</SUB> in a Human Centrifuge

Abstract

We conclude that force exaggeration in +3 Gz may impair flight stability during simulated jet maneuvers in naïve subjects, most likely as a consequence of vestibular stimulation.

Simulated motion negatively affects motor task but not neuromuscular performance

“…Studies have shown that states of high G forces cause increases in isometric forces Sand et al 2003;Girgenrath et al 2005;) but have no affect on the displacement of movements of the control stick in a fighter jet. Guardiera et al (2010) examined the ability of pilots to maintain flight path stability in a +3g centrifuge. They found that pilots had over exaggerated forces, but no difference in the displacement of movements during increased gravity, which potentially affected their ability to perform stable maneuvers at high G forces.…”

Simulated Flight Path Control of Fighter Pilots and Novice Subjects at +3 G<SUB>z</SUB> in a Human Centrifuge

“…As in our other study (9), subjects sat wearing an anti-G suit in the fl ight simulator of the GAF Institute of Aviation Medicine in Königsbrück. The cabin of this 9-m centrifuge is equipped with a reproduction of the Eurofi ghter cockpit, including control panels and a realistic view of a pilot's surroundings.…”

“…Due to this combination of forces and displacements used in regular sticks, a manual response exaggeration during phases of 1 G z turn out to be plausible as well and have indeed been observed. We documented a signifi cant, albeit less pronounced, exaggeration of responses ( 1 13%) in 1 3 G z even with the reproduction of the Eurofi ghter 2000 stick, which responds to a combination of force and displacement (9).…”

“…The prerecorded 10-min fl ight path of this target started at a height of 3048 m (10,000 ft), followed by 12 altitude changes in between 6 609.6 m and 6 304.8 m ( 6 2000 and 6 1000 ft, respectively), once under 1 1 G z and once under 1 3 G z . That study showed a fl ight path instability [oscillation ( 1 11%); tracking error ( 1 80%)] from novice subjects performing these discrete altitude changes in 1 3 G z (9).…”

“…W E HAVE PREVIOUSLY shown that subjects exposed to three times the normal terrestrial acceleration ( 1 3 G z ) are impaired in their ability to produce fi nely graded manual forces: control subjects as well as G z -experienced fi ghter pilots produce substantially exaggerated peak responses ( 1 30%) in 1 3 G z ( 2,8,9,13 ). This impairment cannot be attributed to the direct mechanical effects of 1 3 G z , faulty proprioceptive feedback, or a higher cognitive load ( 5 ), but it may be explained by the effects of changed vestibular activity on voluntary motor commands ( 4 ).…”