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At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

A survey of aircrew fatigue in a sample of U.S. Army aviation personnel.

BACKGROUND: Recently published data on military aviation mishaps suggest aircrew fatigue remains a flight-safety problem. METHODS: In the current study, a questionnaire was administered to 241 Army aviators and 120 Army enlisted crew members. RESULTS: Inadequate sleep and/or insufficient sleep quality is reportedly adversely affecting on-the-job alertness. The requirements to work a variety of schedules and to travel/work away from home are likely contributing to less than optimal sleep quality; however, a number of personnel may be suffering from sleep deprivation due to intentional sleep restriction as well. The personnel surveyed in this study indicated they were sleeping less than 7 h per night, which is 1 h less than the amount recommended by sleep specialists. This insufficient sleep, combined with rotating schedules and other work demands, no doubt contributed to the perceptions of three-quarters of the present sample that fatigue is a widespread problem in the military aviation community. CONCLUSION: These results indicate the importance of continuing to stress fatigue-reduction strategies in training and operational environments.

Aerospace Medicine↗
PubMed2002

Intraocular lens and corneal status following aircraft ejection by a USAF aviator.

Prior to 1967, military aviators who developed visually significant cataracts that affected visual performance were grounded. Those that ultimately required surgical removal were permanently grounded because of significant optical effects post-operatively. With the advent of contact lenses, a limited number of aircrew were returned to the cockpit because of improved optical factors provided by contacts post-cataract surgery. However, development of the intraocular lens (IOL) in the 1970s marked a major technological breakthrough that provided the potential to restore post-cataract surgical vision to near normal conditions. This case report is the first known occurrence of ejection from a high performance militaryaircraft by an aviator with an IOL. The success and stability of the IOL through this event provided additional clinical and operational information relative to the overall USAF experience with certain types of IOL approved for use in USAF aircrew. The aviator also sustained unexpected corneal foreign bodies due to the canopy fragmentation system.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Professional pilots' evaluation of the extent, causes, and reduction of alcohol use in aviation.

Pilots holding the ATP rating were surveyed to obtain judgments concerning the seriousness of the alcohol problem in various areas of aviation, the reasons for alcohol use, and the probable effectiveness of strategies intended to reduce alcohol use in aviation. Alcohol use was judged to be a more serious problem in general aviation than in corporate, charter, regional, and major airline activities. Respondents identified the individual's inability to control alcohol use as a primary reason for drinking and flying, and they endorsed remedies that are directed toward those individuals who are seen as the source of the problem. Other factors considered important causes of drinking and flying included pilots' beliefs that they can compensate for alcohol's effects and their lack of knowledge about the rate of decrease in blood alcohol concentration (BAC) that occurs as a function of time and amount consumed.

Aerospace Medicine↗
PubMed1992

Prescribing spectacles for aviators: USAF experience.

This special report was written for USAF vision specialists to use as a guide when prescribing spectacles for military aviators and to extend to the civilian sector the knowledge gained from the USAF experience. Visual correction in aviators presents some unique problems, especially for presbyopes. The demands of each individual aircraft environment need to be well understood. Ophthalmologists and optometrists must consider all pertinent aeromedical factors before prescribing spectacles for ametropic aviators.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Tropical medicine and travel medicine: medical advice for aviation medical examiners concerning flight operations in tropical areas.

Medical stress factors in the tropics include the climate itself, factors related to travel (jet lag, means of transport), insects, low standards of hygiene, infectious diseases, socio-economic problems, and psychosocial stress. This chapter from the Joint Aviation Authority Aviation Medical Regulations explores these stresses as they relate to aircrew and the aviation medical examiners who treat them.

Aerospace Medicine↗
PubMed1992

Cataract surgery and intraocular lenses in military aviators.

We reviewed the medical records of 23 military aviators who were evaluated by the United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFSAM) after cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation between 1979 and 1990. The 23 subjects were male Caucasians, with a mean age of 43 years. Of the subjects, 21 were pilots, and, of these, 8 were qualified in high-performance aircraft. There were a total of 28 operated eyes, 24 of which had received extracapsular cataract extractions (ECCE) with posterior chamber lenses. The best-corrected, postoperative vision was 20/20 or better in all eyes. Posterior capsule opacification occurred in 14 (60%) of the ECCE eyes, with five requiring Nd:YAG (Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet) laser capsulotomies. One aviator was disqualified from flying duties because of ocular deficiencies, for a visually-qualified-to-fly rate of 96%. Eight aviators have actually flown since surgery. Although follow-up was short, the initial results are encouraging.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Laser surgery procedures in the operational KC-135E aviation environment.

The operational aviation and space environments present a potential for surgical trauma to aircrew and passengers. Current wound care techniques for trauma in the aviation and space medicine environment focus on classical surgical management of wounds. Medical lasers used in these environments can provide rapid control of bleeding wounds, reduce aircraft environmental contamination from body fluids and secretions, and foster rapid triage of injured personnel. Self-contained and reusable medical lasers have the potential to reduce the material supply of medical kits in the aviation and space environment. A miniaturized carbon dioxide laser was used to establish protocols and procedures for use on operational military KC-135E aircraft. Laser surgery was performed to demonstrate laser efficacy and safety in flight.

Aerospace Medicine↗
PubMed2006

Hearing thresholds for U.S. Marines: comparison of aviation, combat arms, and other personnel.

INTRODUCTION: Aviation personnel in the U.S. Marine Corps are exposed to auditory trauma that may produce hearing loss in excess of personnel with other work exposures. METHODS: U.S. Marine Corps personnel in the Navy and Marine Corps Hearing Conservation Database (1995-1999; n = 20,645) were analyzed. The outcome variable was a hearing threshold at 4000 Hz in the left ear greater than 25 dB for annual and periodic audiograms. Personnel were characterized by gender, officer status, 5-yr age groups, and by military occupational skills (MOS) groups of "aviation," "combat arms," and "other." RESULTS: After adjustment by logistic regression for age group, gender, and officer status, the "aviation" group was not different from the "other" category, while the "combat arms" group was more likely to have elevated hearing thresholds. Officers and women demonstrated significantly lower rates for elevated thresholds. DISCUSSION: These findings provide information for personnel planning and assessing military hearing conservation programs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2007

Rheumatoid arthritis in a military aviator.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory condition whose pathogenesis is determined partially by genetic and environmental factors. Without treatment, 20 to 30% of individuals with this condition will become permanently disabled in a few years. Rheumatoid arthritis and its potential complications can cause significant disability and could seriously affect the performance of an aviator. Traditionally, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARD) and biologics have not been used until disease progression occurs, but they recently have been added earlier in the course of disease for a more aggressive approach to treatment. It has been shown to significantly reduce the number of affected joints, pain, and disability. This newer treatment regimen has helped a military pilot continue his aviation career. We present the case of an experienced designated military pilot who was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. He was initially treated early with a DMARD and biologic medication. He has remained in remission and currently only uses etanercept (biologic medication) and a non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drug to control his disease. He has responded favorably to therapy and has few limitations. Due to his positive response to treatment, the aviator was granted military aeromedical waivers for rheumatoid arthritis and chronic medication use.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Visual function requirements in modern aviation].

The authors describe aviation ophthalmology as a typical ergoophthalmic discipline as regards the sphere of interest as well as with regard to its preventive trend. The visual analyzer is a very exposed sense which can be modified by some dynamic effects of flight to such an extent that they may restrict the pilot's activities and consequently also the safety of the flight. Specific factors of flight which comprise also aerogenic hypoxia, hypobarism, overloading, vibrations and the consequences of impaired relations of the different senses may be manifested by changes of the perception of light, colour, visual acuity, perception of contrasts of the visual field etc. The most modern aviation technique puts some so far unusual demands on vision tested by means of complicated psychophysiological tests. Only the future will show which tests should be included among routine methods of aviation ophthalmology and which tests will be restricted only to experimental work.

Aerospace Medicine↗
PubMed1991

Current research and trends in aviation psychology in Poland.

Basic trends of research carried out in Poland during the past decade within the Military Institute of Aviation Medicine were reviewed. Aviation psychological research has concentrated around four important problems: 1) personality determinants of the occupational functioning of pilots including (a) temperamental factors and the occupational adaptation of pilots, (b) personality determinants (i.e., manifested attitudes towards vocation) of the occupational adjustment of pilots, (c) personality correlates of the psychosomatic costs of pilots' vocational adjustments; 2) perceptual efficiency mechanisms of task performance in flight simulators--the research objective was to study visualmotor mechanisms associated with compensatory perception in the process of training for aviation tasks requiring visual-motor coordination; eye movements were measured as an index of perception of visual information. 3) psychological criteria in predicting success in pilot training--the external criterion was the assessment of progress in practical flight training; and 4) computer assisted psychological research.

Aerospace Medicine↗
PubMed1990

Evaluation of extended wear soft and rigid contact lens use by Army aviators.

Aviation systems incorporating sophisticated electro-optical displays frequently are designed without provision for use by spectacle-wearing pilots. Contact lenses offer a solution to the compatibility problems experienced by Army aviators, approximately 18% of whom wear corrective lenses. Under a waiver from The Surgeon General, 44 helicopter pilots performed flying duties while wearing extended-wear soft and rigid lenses. Pilots remained in the study for a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 24 months. Six experienced temporary discontinuance of wear (4-19 days); and six withdrew from the study. An overall wearing success rate of 86% was achieved. No pilot was grounded due to contact lens-related problems. Subjectively, extended wear contact lenses favorably affected job performance. This is the first major field evaluation of contact lens use by U.S. Army aviators while flying military aircraft.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Descriptive analysis of medical attrition in U.S. Army aviation.

Although U.S. Army aviators are carefully screened at entry, disease develops in the aviator population with time. Improving the ability to predict and prevent such diseases necessitates proper analysis of their incidence. This information can provide the basis for future improvements in screening and prevention. A descriptive analysis of diseases for the U.S. Army aviation population is presented. The frequency of international Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes leading to disqualification from flying status is summarized and discussed. Suggestions for future screening criteria and for intervention practices are proposed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Central serous chorioretinopathy in U.S. Air Force aviators: a review.

Idiopathic central serous chorioretinopathy (ICSC) is an uncommon disease with the potential to cause loss of visual acuity, decreased color vision, and decreased depth perception. These visual changes may become permanent and require removal of aviators from flight status. This study reviews 55 eyes of 47 USAF aviators with ICSC examined at the United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFSAM), Brooks AFB, TX. Clinical and aeromedical findings, both on initial and on follow-up ophthalmic examination were studied. Ninety-seven percent of aviators otherwise medically qualified were ultimately returned to flight status. Overall, 51% had recurrent episodes, 17% had bilateral disease, and 13% underwent laser photocoagulation. Visual acuity correlated with active disease, and there was a trend toward poor stereopsis and diminished color vision with worsening visual acuity. Eighty-six percent attained a final visual acuity of 20/20 or better. On final examination, 90% had normal stereopsis, 87% had normal color vision, and 49% had a normal central visual field. Eyes with recurrent disease tended to have degraded final visual acuity, stereopsis, color vision, and central visual field. The visual and aeromedical prognosis from a single attack of ICSC is generally favorable, but repeated attacks can lead to a significant decrease in visual functions that may jeopardize flying status.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Potential crashworthiness benefits to general aviation from Indianapolis Motor Speedway technology.

General aviation crashworthiness can potentially benefit from certain advances being accomplished by the automobile industry. Progressive improvements in crash protection technology, as documented by a dramatic reduction in crash injuries and fatalities at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, reflect improved crashworthiness. The speeds of survivable general aviation aircraft impacts are in the range of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway crashes (200-220 mph). This paper relates the declining crash death rates at Indy by decade versus the increase in speeds. The continuous rise in speeds has prompted the development of new crashworthy designs and driver protection equipment. Crashworthiness improvements include crushable surrounding structures, high-grade restraint systems, protective head gear, fire resistant clothing, break-away structural components, and a "protective cocoon" concept. Adaptation of selected advances in crashworthiness design and operations accomplished at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to the next generation of general aviation aircraft should provide significant dividends in survival of air crashes.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1987

The use of contact lenses by USAF aviators.

Contact lenses are an alternative method to spectacles for correcting refractive errors, but the U.S. Air Force prohibits the wearing of contact lenses by all aircrew members unless medically or optically indicated (AFR 167-3). USAFSAM has a clinical contact lens study consisting of 55 individuals wearing contact lenses for eye defects such as keratoconus, aphakia, anisometropia, and other special indications. Of these 55 individuals, 33 had medical conditions affecting their vision and were unconditionally grounded. Of these individuals, 31 (18 of 19 pilots, 8 of 9 navigators, 5 of 5 other categories) were visually rehabilitated and returned to full flight status by the use of contact lenses. Hard lenses were used in 70% of the cases and soft lenses in 30%. The large number of USAF aviators required to wear spectacles and new head-borne equipment has created compatibility problems with the standard USAF aviators' spectacle. For this spectacle compatibility problem, contact lenses appear as a viable alternative. However, for wide-spread use, concerns remain about the potential aviation hazards, such as +Gz effects, bubble formation, and corneal hypoxia.

Aerospace Medicine↗
PubMed1987

Intraocular lenses in aviators: a review of the U.S. Army experience.

Intraocular lenses are known to be efficacious in the correction of aphakia, but their suitability and durability in Army aviators has not been previously evaluated. Eight experienced pilots (preoperative flight time average: 7,660 hours), who had intraocular lens implants following removal of cataractus lenses, were studied. All had returned to flight duty, seven as pilots, with a total of 2,700 hours postoperative flight time accumulated. All were very pleased with the surgery and with the effectiveness of their lenses. Minor problems included: halos around lights in low illumination (5/8 pilots), erythropsia (2/8), and difficulties with a fixed focal length (2/8). Two aviators reported significant visual problems: complications associated with a platinum loop iris supported intraocular lens, and discomfort and glare stemming from traumatic corneal scarring. A detailed ophthalmological examination revealed abnormalities (5/8 pilots), but none which would be directly attributed to flying. Modern intraocular lenses appear to be an acceptable means of correcting aphakia in Army aviators.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Medical barofunction testing of aviators with otorhinolaryngologic disease.

Forty aviators with otorhinolaryngologic pathology, previously considered physically disqualified for flight status, were tested in the hypobaric chamber to evaluate tolerance to rapid barometric pressure changes. Testing consisted of three sequential trials in the low-pressure chamber (LPC) at rates of 1,524 m, the second to 3,048 m, and the third to 5,486 m. Failure consisted of any symptoms (pain) or physical findings of barotrauma (aerosinusitis or aerootitis media). Results revealed a 22.5% failure rate. The findings indicate this type of "Medical Barofunction Test" is a practical adjunct to the clinical evaluation of the aviator. The profile is safe and free from serious dysbaric episodes experienced above 7.620 m. Follow-up studies revealed the incidence of false negatives to be only 8% by the LPC test. The findings are not significantly different from the medical disqualification rate of a normal student aviator comparison group.

Adult↗