ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHIC STUDY OF PILOT STRESSES IN FLIGHT
Abstract
The selection and classification by airborne electroencephalography of pilots in high performance aircrafts were carried out. Film-strips of the pilots' reaction were made at the time of a stressful turn and five minutes later, during bombruns at a target range. EEG, ECG and flight patterns recordings were made from take-off to landing; movies, for technical reasons, only for brief periods. The pilots rated as A, with only minimal changes in the airborne EEG test, appeared unaffected on the movie. The B-group has short episodes of high voltage delta-theta-activity in the EEG. The movie revealed an eight seconds convulsion. The pilots in the C category showed major EEG abnormalities. The movie revealed them unconscious for thirty seconds. During the study more than 100 subjects were tested. The study underlines the value of airborne EEG testing as an objective method to evaluate the pilots' ability to act and react when subjected to flight stress and fatigue in the high performance aircrafts and space vehicles. An unknown number of pilots have convulsions during 'black-outs' and brain anoxia, as a secondary response in spite of good 02 supply.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0632706
Entities
People
- Carl W. Sem-jacobsen