A centrifuge-based flight simulator: Optimization of a baseline acceleration profile based on the motion sickness incidence

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence, risk factors, and significance of adverse symptoms occurring in pilots more than 24 hours after completion of flight simulator training. This continued occurrence or recurrence of symptoms is termed by the author as “Long Term Simulator Aftereffects” (LTSA). Information was gathered by multi-part, anonymous, and voluntary questionnaire. Nine (4.6%) of 196 pilots studied reported LTSA. Several pilots reported symptoms up to one week and one three weeks post simulator training. Symptoms reported included: recurrent visual flashbacks, continued disturbance in balance, difficulties in concentrating and hand-eye discoordination. Three pilots (1.5%) reported difficulties in flying aircraft. There was no statistically significant association between LTSA and: total flight time, total simulator time, length of simulator training, self-determined motion sickness susceptibility, and sex. Simulator training can result in the occurrence of long term (1 day) adverse symptoms which poses flight safety concerns.

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Motion Sickness Adaptation to Coriolis-Inducing Head Movements in a Sustained G Flight Simulator

Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine ◽

10.3357/asem.3170.2013 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 84 (2) ◽

pp. 104-109 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Michael C. Newman ◽

Geoffrey W. McCarthy ◽

Scott T. Glaser ◽

Frederick Bonato ◽

Andrea Bubka

Keyword(s):

Motion Sickness ◽

Head Movements ◽

Flight Simulator

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Vestibular Function and Motion Sickness Susceptibility: Videonystagmographic Evidence From Oculomotor and Caloric Tests

American Journal of Audiology ◽

10.1044/2020_aja-19-00050 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (2) ◽

pp. 188-198

Author(s):

Cynthia G. Fowler ◽

Margaret Dallapiazza ◽

Kathleen Talbot Hadsell

Keyword(s):

Phase Velocity ◽

Motion Sickness ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Short Form ◽

Vestibular Function ◽

Slow Phase ◽

Test Results ◽

Normal Range ◽

Slow Phase Velocity ◽

Caloric Tests

Purpose Motion sickness (MS) is a common condition that affects millions of individuals. Although the condition is common and can be debilitating, little research has focused on the vestibular function associated with susceptibility to MS. One causal theory of MS is an asymmetry of vestibular function within or between ears. The purposes of this study, therefore, were (a) to determine if the vestibular system (oculomotor and caloric tests) in videonystagmography (VNG) is associated with susceptibility to MS and (b) to determine if these tests support the theory of an asymmetry between ears associated with MS susceptibility. Method VNG was used to measure oculomotor and caloric responses. Fifty young adults were recruited; 50 completed the oculomotor tests, and 31 completed the four caloric irrigations. MS susceptibility was evaluated with the Motion Sickness Susceptibility Questionnaire–Short Form; in this study, percent susceptibility ranged from 0% to 100% in the participants. Participants were divided into three susceptibility groups (Low, Mid, and High). Repeated-measures analyses of variance and pairwise comparisons determined significance among the groups on the VNG test results. Results Oculomotor test results revealed no significant differences among the MS susceptibility groups. Caloric stimuli elicited responses that were correlated positively with susceptibility to MS. Slow-phase velocity was slowest in the Low MS group compared to the Mid and High groups. There was no significant asymmetry between ears in any of the groups. Conclusions MS susceptibility was significantly and positively correlated with caloric slow-phase velocity. Although asymmetries between ears are purported to be associated with MS, asymmetries were not evident. Susceptibility to MS may contribute to interindividual variability of caloric responses within the normal range.

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An Alternative Method for Identifying a Failed Engine in Twin-Engine Propeller Aircraft

Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors ◽

10.1027/2192-0923/a000195 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 103-111

Author(s):

Andrey K. Babin ◽

Andrew R. Dattel ◽

Margaret F. Klemm

Keyword(s):

Human Error ◽

Flight Simulator ◽

Traditional Group ◽

Aircraft Accidents ◽

Alternative Method ◽

Indicator Group ◽

Group A ◽

The Dead ◽

Engine Failure ◽

And Performance

Abstract. Twin-engine propeller aircraft accidents occur due to mechanical reasons as well as human error, such as misidentifying a failed engine. This paper proposes a visual indicator as an alternative method to the dead leg–dead engine procedure to identify a failed engine. In total, 50 pilots without a multi-engine rating were randomly assigned to a traditional (dead leg–dead engine) or an alternative (visual indicator) group. Participants performed three takeoffs in a flight simulator with a simulated engine failure after rotation. Participants in the alternative group identified the failed engine faster than the traditional group. A visual indicator may improve pilot accuracy and performance during engine-out emergencies and is recommended as a possible alternative for twin-engine propeller aircraft.

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