+Gz Acceleration Loss of Consciousness:Time Course of Performance Deficits With Repeated Experience

摘要

Pilots of modern fighter aircraft encounter episodes of gravity-induced loss of consciousness (GLOC)rnconsisting of complete unconsciousness and subsequent confusion. According to Whinnery, Burton, Boll,rnand Eddy (1987), pilots are totally incapacitated for 24 sec during such episodes. Using centrifugernsimulators to induce GLOC and math and tracking tasks to emulate flight performance, this studyrnconfirms the duration of total incapacitation described by Whinnery et al. (1987) and also indicates thatrnthe GLOC problem is more serious than they envisioned. Performance efficiency deteriorates from 3.20rnto 7.44 sec prior to the onset of unconsciousness and does not return to baseline levels until 55.5 sec afterrnthe confusion phase has ended. Thus, at speeds of 500 mph typical of modem fighters, pilots can travelrn12.1 miles while not in control of their aircraft. These effects do not appear to be reduced by repeatedrnencounters with GLOC.