The opto-kinetic cervico reflex (OKCR) is a recently hypothesized visually driven reflex that serves to stabilize the image of the external horizon on the retina during high performance aircraft roll maneuvers. Although anecdotally reported as occurring, head tilt during helicopter flight has not been formally studied. Such research is required to determine the full impact and significance it may have on a rotary-wing aviator's flying performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between horizon position and perception of orientation, and thus generate vital information to assess whether this reflex plays an important role in spatial disorientation. Twenty volunteer pilots participated in a UH-60 flight simulator study to examine the effects of this reflex. The results confirm that the OKCR occurs during simulated helicopter flight, both with and without night vision goggles. As with previous studies, head roll increased during flight under visual meteorological conditions in relation to increasing aircraft roll angle up to a maximum sustainable level and then remained constant. Head roll did not occur during flight under instrument meteorological conditions. Various aspects that impact rotary-wing operations are discussed, and recommendations made for future research.
Helicopter Simulator Assessment of Pilot Head Movement during Various Phases of Flight
1997
65 pages
Report
No indication
English
Test Facilities & Equipment , Stress Physiology , Helicopters , Flight simulation , Reflexes , Impact , Pilots , Motion , Orientation(Direction) , Night vision devices , Retina , Visual perception , Flight maneuvers , Head(Anatomy) , Perception , Rotary wing aircraft , Physiological disorientation , Horizon , Instrument flight , Head movements , Spatial disorientation , Okcr(Opto-kinetic and cervix reflex) , Imc(Instrument metorological conditions) , Head roll
Short's helicopter flight simulator
Engineering Index Backfile | 1957
|Short's helicopter flight simulator
Engineering Index Backfile | 1957
|Flight Simulator of Helicopter
British Library Conference Proceedings | 1997
|