Flight-stress appraisal was made by means of a battery of urinary determinations (epinephrine, norepinephrine, 17-OHCS, urea, uric acid, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, and potassium) for flyers who participated in (a) 20-hour missions in C-130E aircraft (flights from New Zealand to Antarctica, and back), (b) 6-day missions in C-135B aircraft (earth-circling missions), or (c) 7-week missions in C-135B aircraft (over-frequent transoceanic and transcontinental flying). The adrenal medulla (as judged by urinary epinephrine) consistently showed flight-sensitivity, but other endocrine-metabolic functions varied in ways indicative of adaptation. With flight circumstances standardized (particularly with respect to time of day), flight effects tended to be reproducible. With crew rest limited to 2 days, recovery from flight-stress tended to be incomplete. Sleep deprivation and crew position were shown to be factors which modify flight-stress reactions. Eastbound and westbound earth-circling missions did not induce different degrees of flight-stress, as judged by these endocrine-metabolic indices. (Author)
Endocrine-Metabolic Effects of Unusually Long or Frequent Flying Missions in C-130E or C-135B Aircraft
1968
23 pages
Report
No indication
English
Stress Physiology , Pilots , Stress(Psychology) , Excretion , Responses , Metabolism , Corticosteroid agents , Amines , Epinephrine , Urea , Uric acid , Phosphorus , Magnesium , Sodium , Potassium , Adrenal glands , Sensitivity , Adaptation(Physiology) , Urine , Sleep , Recovery , Fatigue(Physiology) , Jet transport planes , C-135 aircraft , C-135B aircraft , C-130 aircraft , C-130E aircraft