2018 Volume 58 Issue 1 Pages 1-8
The high-G aircraft operated by aircrew are easily capable of causing G-induced loss of consciousness. An effective anti-G straining maneuver (AGSM) is the aircrew’s most important thing against the potentially incapacitating effects of G. Centrifuge training has proven to be our best device for teaching the proper AGSM. However, G decreasing phase of training pattern in centrifuge training can result in vestibular stimulation that can lead to “tumbling sensation” vertigo. This vertigo causes some problem which is distracting unpleasant and nausea. We examined the effect of low offset rate on type II centrifuge training for student in the primary flight course to reduce vertigo and nausea. 124 students in the primary flight course were divided into the high G offset pattern (HGOP) group whose offset rate is 1.0 G/sec and low G offset pattern (LGOP) group whose offset rate is 0.1 G/sec from 3 Gz. Subjective intensity of vertigo was measured each centrifuge training using a subjective 0 to 4 scale. The simulator sickness questionnaire (SSQ) was also administered. After centrifuge training, subjective intensity of vertigo score in HGOP and LGOP group was 2.5 ± 1.1 and 1.6 ± 1.2 respectively (p < 0.001). Mean nausea SSQ score of LGOP group was significantly lower than HGOP group (p < 0.05). The reduction of vertigo and nausea was observed on LGOP group in centrifuge training. Adopting the low offset rate in centrifuge training is strongly recommended for centrifuge training of the primary flight course.
