Simulator-induced spatial disorientation: effects of age, sleep deprivation, and type of conflict.

Introduction: Spatial disorientation mishaps are greater at night and with greater time on task, and sleep deprivation is known to decrease cognitive and overall flight performance. However, the ability to perceive and to be influenced by physiologically appropriate simulated SD conflicts has not previously been studied in an automated simulator flight profile.

Methods: A set of 10 flight profiles were flown by 10 U.

Fatigue and related human factors in the near crash of a large military aircraft.

Introduction: During approach to a remote island location, a U.S. Air Force heavy-airlift aircraft was flown into an aerodynamic stall, resulting in the loss of more than 4000 ft of altitude, with the crew recovering the aircraft just before impact would have occurred.

Effects of three helmet-mounted display symbologies on unusual attitude recognition and recovery.

Background: Helmet-mounted displays (HMDs) allow pilots to view aircraft instrument information while looking to the side, away from the aircraft centerline axis. In that situation, pilots may lose attitude awareness and thus develop spatial disorientation. A secondary concern is the possible effects of visual conflict between the apparent motion of traditional, nose-referenced flight symbology and the off-axis view of the outside world.