A survey of spatial disorientation incidence in Polish military pilots
Objectives The study aimed to establish the current incidence and severity of spatial disorientation (SD) in Polish military pilots when flying different aircraft types over their entire careers, and to determine how SD training and pilots’ flight experience might benefit their recognition of situat...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine
2020-10-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.journalssystem.com/ijomeh/Survey-of-Spatial-Disorientation-Incidence-in-Polish-Military-Pilots,124892,0,2.html |
| _version_ | 1818566331011694592 |
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| author | Rafał Lewkowicz Marcin Piotr Biernacki |
| author_facet | Rafał Lewkowicz Marcin Piotr Biernacki |
| author_sort | Rafał Lewkowicz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objectives
The study aimed to establish the current incidence and severity of spatial disorientation (SD) in Polish military pilots when flying different
aircraft types over their entire careers, and to determine how SD training and pilots’ flight experience might benefit their recognition of situations that
may cause SD.
Material and Methods
Overall, 176 military Polish pilots (aged 33.8±7.72 years, the number of flying hours: 1194±941) flying different aircraft types, who attended the aviation medicine course, were surveyed and asked to report their episodes of SD. To collect anonymous data,
a postal SD questionnaire (INFO PUB 61/117/5) was used.
Results
In the overall incidence rate of SD (96%), the most commonly experienced SD
illusion was “loss of horizon due to atmospheric conditions” (81%). More SD incidents were reported by pilots who had received SD training. Some
differences in the categories of the most commonly experienced SD illusion episodes between aircraft types were found. A severe episode adversely
affecting flight safety was categorized by 10% of the respondents.
Conclusions
In Polish military aviation, episodes of SD are a significant threat to
aviation safety. There is evidence for the beneficial effects of SD training in the improvement of pilots’ ability to recognize those factors that lead to SD. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2020;33(6):791–810 |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T01:52:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d03c642ef93644a5b2c3270f3002e85f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1232-1087 1896-494X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T01:52:21Z |
| publishDate | 2020-10-01 |
| publisher | Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-d03c642ef93644a5b2c3270f3002e85f2022-12-21T23:21:21ZengNofer Institute of Occupational MedicineInternational Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health1232-10871896-494X2020-10-0133679181010.13075/ijomeh.1896.01621124892A survey of spatial disorientation incidence in Polish military pilotsRafał Lewkowicz0Marcin Piotr Biernacki1Military Institute of Aviation Medicine, Warsaw, Poland (Simulator Study and Aeromedical Training Division)Military Institute of Aviation Medicine, Warsaw, Poland (Department of Aviation Psychology)Objectives The study aimed to establish the current incidence and severity of spatial disorientation (SD) in Polish military pilots when flying different aircraft types over their entire careers, and to determine how SD training and pilots’ flight experience might benefit their recognition of situations that may cause SD. Material and Methods Overall, 176 military Polish pilots (aged 33.8±7.72 years, the number of flying hours: 1194±941) flying different aircraft types, who attended the aviation medicine course, were surveyed and asked to report their episodes of SD. To collect anonymous data, a postal SD questionnaire (INFO PUB 61/117/5) was used. Results In the overall incidence rate of SD (96%), the most commonly experienced SD illusion was “loss of horizon due to atmospheric conditions” (81%). More SD incidents were reported by pilots who had received SD training. Some differences in the categories of the most commonly experienced SD illusion episodes between aircraft types were found. A severe episode adversely affecting flight safety was categorized by 10% of the respondents. Conclusions In Polish military aviation, episodes of SD are a significant threat to aviation safety. There is evidence for the beneficial effects of SD training in the improvement of pilots’ ability to recognize those factors that lead to SD. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2020;33(6):791–810http://www.journalssystem.com/ijomeh/Survey-of-Spatial-Disorientation-Incidence-in-Polish-Military-Pilots,124892,0,2.htmlaviation medicinehuman errorsimulation and trainingillusionsaviation safetymilitary aviation |
| spellingShingle | Rafał Lewkowicz Marcin Piotr Biernacki A survey of spatial disorientation incidence in Polish military pilots International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health aviation medicine human error simulation and training illusions aviation safety military aviation |
| title | A survey of spatial disorientation incidence in Polish military pilots |
| title_full | A survey of spatial disorientation incidence in Polish military pilots |
| title_fullStr | A survey of spatial disorientation incidence in Polish military pilots |
| title_full_unstemmed | A survey of spatial disorientation incidence in Polish military pilots |
| title_short | A survey of spatial disorientation incidence in Polish military pilots |
| title_sort | survey of spatial disorientation incidence in polish military pilots |
| topic | aviation medicine human error simulation and training illusions aviation safety military aviation |
| url | http://www.journalssystem.com/ijomeh/Survey-of-Spatial-Disorientation-Incidence-in-Polish-Military-Pilots,124892,0,2.html |
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