Abstract
INTRODUCTION: During fl ight, the ability of a pilot to maintain
high cognitive and psychomotor performance is essential for fl ight
safety. Hypoxia studies performed under normobaric conditions
corresponding with oxygen pressures of 10,000 to 18,000 feet, suggest
a decrease in fl ight performance. Currently, there is no published data
examining the infl uence of hypobaric hypoxia (HH) on pilots’ fl ight
performance. The purpose of the present study was to examine the
infl uence of HH on pilots’ fl ight performance during exposure to
simulated altitudes of 300, 10,000, and 15,000 ft and to evaluate
physiological reactions. METHODS: Twelve male pilots were exposed to
HH while fl ying in a fl ight simulator that had been placed in a hypobaric
chamber in a single-blinded counterbalanced design. Flight
performance was assessed in one score by fl ight profi le accuracy (FPA).
Pilots’ alertness level was assessed using the Stanford Sleepiness Scale.
In addition, SpO2, heart rate, minute ventilation, and breathing
frequency were monitored. Post-hoc analysis compared the results of
the 300 and 10,000 ft, and 300 and 15,000 ft conditions. RESULTS: A
signifi cant diff erence was found (P=0.039) in fl ight performance
between the three altitudes. Post-hoc analysis showed no signifi cant
diff erence between 300 and 10,000 ft (P>0.05) and a trend was
observed at 15,000 ft (P=0.077), suggesting worsening of fl ight
performance at that altitude. Signifi cantly lower alertness levels were
observed at the start of the fl ight at 15,000 ft compared to 300 ft
(P=0.014) and at the end of the fl ight at 15,000 ft compared to the start
at that altitude (P= 0.04). SpO2 (P=0.001) and BF (P<0.001) decreased,
and HR increased (P=0.001) signifi cantly with altitude. DISCUSSION:
The results did not provide decisive evidence for decreased fl ight
performance during exposure to simulated altitudes of 10,000 and
15,000 ft. Individual results revealed that in ten out of the twelve pilots
fl ight performance was worse at 15,000 ft compared to 300 ft. The large
interindividual variation in fl ight performance combined with the
gradual decrease in alertness levels puts into question the ability of
pilots to safely fl y an aircraft while exposed to these altitudes without
the use of supplemental oxygen
high cognitive and psychomotor performance is essential for fl ight
safety. Hypoxia studies performed under normobaric conditions
corresponding with oxygen pressures of 10,000 to 18,000 feet, suggest
a decrease in fl ight performance. Currently, there is no published data
examining the infl uence of hypobaric hypoxia (HH) on pilots’ fl ight
performance. The purpose of the present study was to examine the
infl uence of HH on pilots’ fl ight performance during exposure to
simulated altitudes of 300, 10,000, and 15,000 ft and to evaluate
physiological reactions. METHODS: Twelve male pilots were exposed to
HH while fl ying in a fl ight simulator that had been placed in a hypobaric
chamber in a single-blinded counterbalanced design. Flight
performance was assessed in one score by fl ight profi le accuracy (FPA).
Pilots’ alertness level was assessed using the Stanford Sleepiness Scale.
In addition, SpO2, heart rate, minute ventilation, and breathing
frequency were monitored. Post-hoc analysis compared the results of
the 300 and 10,000 ft, and 300 and 15,000 ft conditions. RESULTS: A
signifi cant diff erence was found (P=0.039) in fl ight performance
between the three altitudes. Post-hoc analysis showed no signifi cant
diff erence between 300 and 10,000 ft (P>0.05) and a trend was
observed at 15,000 ft (P=0.077), suggesting worsening of fl ight
performance at that altitude. Signifi cantly lower alertness levels were
observed at the start of the fl ight at 15,000 ft compared to 300 ft
(P=0.014) and at the end of the fl ight at 15,000 ft compared to the start
at that altitude (P= 0.04). SpO2 (P=0.001) and BF (P<0.001) decreased,
and HR increased (P=0.001) signifi cantly with altitude. DISCUSSION:
The results did not provide decisive evidence for decreased fl ight
performance during exposure to simulated altitudes of 10,000 and
15,000 ft. Individual results revealed that in ten out of the twelve pilots
fl ight performance was worse at 15,000 ft compared to 300 ft. The large
interindividual variation in fl ight performance combined with the
gradual decrease in alertness levels puts into question the ability of
pilots to safely fl y an aircraft while exposed to these altitudes without
the use of supplemental oxygen
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 315 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - Mar 2017 |
| Event | Aerospace Medical Association Annual Scientific Meetings - Denver, United States Duration: 29 Apr 2017 → 4 May 2017 |
Conference
| Conference | Aerospace Medical Association Annual Scientific Meetings |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United States |
| City | Denver |
| Period | 29/04/2017 → 4/05/2017 |