The Effect of Exposure to the AH -64 Combat Mission Flight Simulator On Postural Equilibrium.
Abstract
Simulator sickness syndrome is a form of motion sickness that may occur during the simulator training exercise, immediately after, or sometime later. It may be induced by either physical or visual motion, and symptoms include: nausea, disorientation, ataxia, dizziness, visual problems, headache, depression, and sweating. An important operational problem associated with simulator sickness is the extent to which an individual aviator is incapacitated. This will determine how long after simulator exposure the aviator needs to be grounded. Previous researchers have measured postural equilibrium with standing and walking tests, but there are limitations associated with these tests. A modern method of objective measurement is the Neurocom Pro Balance Master. The purpose of this assessment was to determine the effect of exposure to the AH-64 Combat Mission Simulator (CMS) on postural equilibrium. Six instructor pilots, 42 male student pilots, and 3 female student pilots were tested. The results clearly suggested that student training in the AH-E4 CMS in its present configuration has an insignificant effect on postural equilibrium. A 2-hour period of "grounding" between training in the flight simulator and actual flight is probably adequate. Further assessments should be conducted in field locations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA339573
Entities
People
- Julius C. Manning
- Malcolm G. Braithwaite
- Shannon L. Groh
Organizations
- United States Army Aeromedical Research Lab