Male and Female Strength Capabilities for Operating Aircraft Controls

摘要

There has long been concern that the resistance of some aircraft controls is too large. Now that the Air Force has both male and female pilots, that concern is greater. The workload and Ergonomics Branch of AFAMRL has just completed a study of the physical strength and endurance capabilities of 61 male and 61 female subjects in a stick-controlled aircraft simulator. Additionally, 110 of these subjects completed a nine-week exercise training program to strengthen muscles used on aircraft controls. Results show weak males and weak females have similar leg strength. The arm strength of strong females was similar to that of weak males, however, physical training improved leg strength more than arm strength. Males and females had similar increases in strength due to physical training. Most of the females and some males fell below the resistance specification for current aircraft. (Author)