Greece is characterized by very hot weather during summer. Since 1987, Hellenic Air Force (HAF) has adopted the Discomfort Index (DI) as its official heat stress index (HST), nowadays considered as outdated. Because of the disadvantages that DI presents, a study was performed in order to examine the possible application of another heat stress index, more objective and accurate in predicting heat discomfort. For two months the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index was calculated inside a bubble canopy (F-4) and a rotary wing (C-130) aircraft (WBGTa) as well as their respective runway WBGT data (WBGT ground, WBGTg). The same set of data was used to calculate Fighter Index of Thermal Stress (FITS) for the same time period. Flight log of four different AF Bases were accessed in order to determine the possible cancellations of flights due to Indices of Thermal Stress, as calculated. For the bubble canopy aircraft, the WBGTa may be considered equivalent to WBGTg because the aircraft remain on ground stand-by with canopies open. FITS value of 38 was found to be statistically equivalent of DI 28.6. Both were compared to DI currently in use. On this basis, the number of flight cancellations due to WBGTa was limited by 77%, and by 99% due to FITS, as compared to cancellations due to DI. For the rotary wing aircraft, WBGTa and WBGTg were found in statistically significant correlation (t-test, paired, p < 0.0001), therefore the former index may be used to predict the later. The Discomfort Index (DI) may be replaced in the HAF as follows: For ground personnel, by the WBGT Index of thermal stress. For flying personnel, by WBGT for moderate or light work. For aircrew of airborne bubble canopy aircraft FITS (extended range) may be applicable, after elaboration for Mediterranean climatic conditions.
Heat Stress Indices in the Hellenic Air Force (HAF)
2002
6 pages
Report
Keine Angabe
Englisch
Stress Physiology , Thermal stresses , Heat stress(Physiology) , Wet bulb temperature , Ground level , Air force , Flight crews , Bubbles , Jet fighters , Canopies , Hot weather , Indexes , Runways , Cancellation , Rotary wing aircraft , Summer , Ground crews , Greece , Standby equipment , Component reports , Foreign reports , Nato furnished
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