In this study, we investigated the impact of a loss of horizon due to atmospheric conditions on flight performance and workload of helicopter pilots during a low-altitude, dynamic flight task in windy conditions at sea. We also examined the potential benefits of a helmet-mounted display (HMD) for this specific task. In a fixed-based helicopter simulator, 16 military helicopter pilots were asked to follow a maneuvering go-fast vessel in a good visual environment (GVE) and in a degraded visual environment (DVE).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study investigates how cognitive performance is affected by the combination of two stressors that are operationally relevant for helicopter pilots: heat load and hypobaric hypoxia. Fifteen participants were exposed to (1) no stressors, (2) heat load, (3) hypobaric hypoxia, and (4) combined heat load and hypobaric hypoxia. Hypobaric hypoxia (13,000 ft) was achieved in a hypobaric chamber.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAerosp Med Hum Perform
December 2021
This article presents the results of an EASA-commissioned study aimed at analyzing the medical causes of grounding of a broad European pilot population and recommending measures to reduce the risk of in-flight incapacitation in commercial air transport pilots. European National Aviation Authorities (NAAs) were requested to provide data concerning the total number of pilots that were examined, their age and license category, number of unfit pilots, and the medical causes of each case of grounding. Diagnoses were classified according to the format and definitions laid down in Commission Regulation (EU) No.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRoyal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) helicopter aircrew get Helicopter Underwater Egress Training (HUET) using a Modular Egress Training Simulator (METS™) in order to be prepared for escaping the aircraft when ditching into water. In the current situation the retraining intervals are only chosen on an arbitrary basis for different backgrounds of the crew (maritime and regular flight crew). The frequency of refresher training depends on the expected degree of retention, but evidence-based research on required intervals between refresher courses is scarce.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground/aim: It is well known that physical strain is associated with increased cortisol production. And although mental stress elevates cortisol concentrations as well, little is known of the independent and/or combined effects of both on the secretion of cortisol. Aim of the study was to investigate the day-to-day cortisol dynamics associated with training, performance and recuperation and the immediate responses to mental stress and physical endurance under competitive conditions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThere is a growing interest in the application of psychophysiological signals in more applied settings. Unidirectional sensory motor rhythm-training (SMR) has demonstrated consistent effects on sleep. In this study the main aim was to analyze to what extent participants could gain voluntary control over sleep-related parameters and secondarily to assess possible influences of this training on sleep metrics.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Bilastine is a new oral, second generation antihistamine used in the symptomatic treatment of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and urticaria. It is considered a nonsedating antihistamine and might be recommended for use in pilots, pending research on the effects on flying-related performance under hypobaric conditions that prevail in an airliner. We assessed the effects of a single dose of bilastine 20 mg on alertness and complex task performance of healthy volunteers in a hypobaric chamber at 75.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFor infantry units of the Dutch Ministry of Defence, high attrition rates (varying from 42 to 68%) during initial training are a persisting problem. The reasons for this attrition are diverse. Having better insight into the causes of attrition is a prerequisite for implementing preventive measures.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDuring military operations soldiers often encounter extreme environmental circumstances like heat, cold, prolonged physical exercise, and disturbed sleep, which hamper their performance. Monitoring changes in physiological parameters may assist with adequate interventions to prevent the negative consequences and support recovery. The current study was employed to reduce the number of measurement instruments to monitor physiological variables, especially with respect to adequate sleep prediction.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Dutch North Sea helicopter operations are characterized by multiple sector flights to offshore platforms under difficult environmental conditions. In the context of a Ministry of Transport program to improve safety levels of helicopter operations, we assessed effects of pre-duty sleep, pre-duty travel time, and workload factors on the alertness and vigilance of pilots.
Method: Data of 24 pilots comprising 224 duty days were analyzed.
This paper reports 2 baseline studies and one experiment performed in a confined-space military vehicle concerning the effects on fitness and performance of time in a sitting posture and workstation characteristics. On average physical fitness decreased by slightly more than 10% per hour, the observation performance decreased by 30% per hour, and the technical performance (of gunners) showed a relatively small decrease, i.e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Exposure to a hypoxic environment has a deleterious effect on physiological and mental functions. We studied the effect of added inspired CO2 during artificially induced hypoxic normobaric hypoxia (oxygen saturation approximately 80%) on complex task performance.
Methods: In random order, 22 healthy volunteers were exposed to 3 gas mixtures for 50 min each: sham hypoxia (SH, PetO2 103 mmHg without inspired CO2); isocapnic hypoxia (IH, PetO2 approximately 40 mmHg, PetcO2 clamped to 0.
Vuyk, Jaap, Jan Van Den Bos, Kees Terhell, Rene De Bos, Ad Vletter, Pierre Valk, Martie Van Beuzekom, Jack Van Kleef, and Albert Dahan. Acetazolamide improves cerebral oxygenation during exercise at high altitude. High Alt.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Because malaria in endemic areas presents a serious threat to the health of aircrew, optimal prevention is important. An effective and safe prophylactic antimalarial drug is needed. The combination of 250 mg atovaquone with 100 mg proguanil HCl (atovaquone/proguanil, or A/P) has shown good prophylactic efficacy and tolerance for prevention of falciparum malaria.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Sustained vigilance is required by pilots and crew during flight; therefore, the use of antihistamines with sedating properties is widely prohibited. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of desloratadine, a long-acting, nonsedating antihistamine, on healthy volunteers placed under conditions of simulated cabin pressure.
Methods: In a double-blind crossover study, 21 subjects randomly received single doses of desloratadine 5 mg, diphenhydramine 50 mg (active control), and placebo on different days separated by washout periods of 7 d.
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