Visual Survey of Apache Aviators (VISAA)
Abstract
A three-part study was conducted to assess the visual status of AH-64 pilots. The first part consisted of an anonymous questionnaire returned by 58 Fort Rucker instructor pilots. More than 80 percent of the pilots registered at least one visual complaint (visual discomfort, headache, double vision, blurred vision, disorientation, or afterimages) associated with flying or after flying the Apache aircraft. many of their comments indicated that symptoms occurred during long flights and/or flying with poor quality or out-of-focus display symbology. In the second part of this study, a comprehensive visual functions test battery was completed on 10 volunteer, highly experienced AH-64 aviators. In the third part of this study, measurements were made on the flight line of the Helmet Mounted Display diopter focus settings made by Apache IPs and students. The diopter settings ranged from 0 to -5.25 with a mean of -2.28. The required positive accommodation by the eye to offset these negative focus settings is very likely a source of visual discomfort and headache during and after long flights. (EMK)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA230201
Entities
People
- Clarence E. Rash
- David J. Walsh
- Isaac Behar
- Richard R. Levine
- Roger W. Wiley
Organizations
- United States Army Aeromedical Research Lab