Cerebral Blood Flow Based Computer Modeling of G-Induced Effects.

There is continued interest in acceleration (G) effects in civil aviation, as G-induced loss of consciousness (G-LOC), impaired consciousness, and visual effects play a role in aerobatic, agricultural, and military aviation accidents. A software model [the Civil Aerospace Medical Institute G-Effects Model (CGEM)] based on physical and physiological variables related to in-flight tissue resupply and using oxygen flow as a proxy for supply availability, was developed to evaluate risk of G-LOC and related phenomena in aeronauts. Aeronauts were modeled using several parameters, including sex, cardiovascular fitness, and other common modifiers such as G-suits, positive pressure breathing gear, anti-G straining, and other muscle tensing.

A new equation for calculating the maximum wait time for pilots who use an impairing medication.

Introduction: Pilots who use an impairing medication to treat a medical condition are required to wait an appropriate amount of time after completing the treatment before returning to duty. However, toxicology findings from fatal aviation accidents indicate not all pilots wait a sufficient period of time. Methods used today do not take into consideration the time required for the drug to reach subtherapeutic concentrations.

Effects of fluid load on human urine characteristics related to workplace drug testing.

During workplace drug testing, urine is tested for dilution, substitution and adulteration. Donors argue that these findings are due to medical, health or working conditions or diet and genetic differences. There is a paucity of data correlating changes in urine characteristics after a fluid load to various body parameters.

Drugs and alcohol found in civil aviation accident pilot fatalities from 2004-2008.

Introduction: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Office of Aerospace Medicine sets medical standards needed to protect the public and pilots from death or injury due to incapacitation of the pilot. As a part of this process, toxicology testing is performed by the FAA on almost every pilot who is fatally injured in an aviation accident to determine the medical condition of the pilot, medications used by the pilot at the time of the accident, and the extent of impairment, if any.

Method: The data were extracted from the FAA toxicology database for all pilots who died from 2004 to 2008 in aviation accidents.

Increased cannabinoids concentrations found in specimens from fatal aviation accidents between 1997 and 2006.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) reported a 1.5-fold increase in the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content of street cannabis seizures from 1997 to 2001 versus 2002 to 2006. This study was conducted to compare the changes, over those years, in blood and urine cannabinoid concentrations with the potency of THC reported in the cannabis plant.

Pilot medical history and medications found in post mortem specimens from aviation accidents.

Introduction: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations require pilots to report all medications and medical conditions for review and consideration as to the overall suitability of the pilot for flight activities.

Methods: Specimens were collected by local pathologists from aviation accidents and sent to the Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory for analysis. The results of such tests were entered into the Forensic Case Management System.

Toxicological findings from 1587 civil aviation accident pilot fatalities, 1999-2003.

Introduction: The prevalence of drug and ethanol use in aviation is monitored by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Under such monitoring, toxicological studies for the 1989-1993 and 1994-1998 periods indicated lower percentages of the presence of controlled substances (illegal drugs) than that of prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) drugs in aviation accident pilot fatalities. In continuation, a toxicological assessment was made for an additional period of 5 yr.

Characteristics and toxicological processing of postmortem pilot specimens* from fatal civil aviation accidents.

Introduction: Autopsied biosamples from civil aviation accident pilot fatalities are submitted to the Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI) for toxicological evaluation. However, such evaluation is dependent on types and amounts of submitted samples, and obtaining suitable samples is governed by the nature of the accident. Characteristics of those samples and associated toxicological processing have not been well documented in the literature.