Analysis of the Fighter Pilots Acceleration Tolerance Selection Method and Results

Abstract

Objective To discuss and analyze the +Gz tolerance selection results of high-performance aircraft pilots. Methods One thousand and seven hundred forty-three aircraft pilots +Gz tolerance data were collected and analyzed by cross-sectional study. The +Gz tolerance examination method, qualification rate and the correlation of that between age and flying hour were analyzed. Results Straining was not banned strictly, furthermore, the pilot was permitted to adopt the breathing method of HP maneuver during +Gz tolerance examination. Of the 1743 pilots, 1569 completed the selection run, and the qualification rate was 90%. The qualification rate was significantly related to the age (r = 0.891, P = 0.000) and flying hours (r = 0.9281, P = 0.004). When reaching the end point of G tolerance, 39.3% pilots got a change of vision and the incidence of A-LOC and G-LOC was 1.7% and 2.6%, respectively. Conclusions The high-performance aircraft pilots +Gz tolerance selection qualification rate was greater than formerly reported. Less +Gz exposure runs, standardized breathing maneuver and muscular straining may contribute to the high qualification rate.