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Spatial contrast sensitivity through aviator's night vision imaging system.

Visual acuity is often used to assess vision through image intensifying devices such as night vision goggles (NVG's). Fewer attempts have been made to measure contrast sensitivity through NVG's. Such information would be useful to better understand contrast processing through NVG's under various stimulus conditions. In this study, computer-generated letter charts were used to measure contrast sensitivity through third generation NVG's for a range of letter sizes. The red phosphor of a standard color monitor proved to be an effective stimulus for third generation devices. Different night sky conditions were simulated over a 3 log unit range. The results illustrate the profile of contrast sensitivity through third generation NVG's over a range of night sky conditions. Comparison of measurements through NVG's to measurements obtained without the device but at the same luminance and color distinguish between effects of luminance and noise on contrast sensitivity.

Adult↗

A comparison between phosphors for aviator's night vision imaging system.

BACKGROUND: The visual display on night vision goggles (NVG's) is green and isochromatic (P22 phosphor). Future systems are expected to use a P43 phosphor which has a narrower visible spectrum and is yellowish green, while the P22 is deeper green. In transitioning to the P43, some NVG's may have P22 and P43 phosphors paired in the same NVG. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the suitability of the P43 phosphor and the effect of mixing phosphors in the same NVG. METHODS: We tested three systems: one with P22 phosphors in both tubes (P22), one with P43 in both tubes (P43), and one with P22 in the right and P43 in the left tube (mixed). Visual acuity (VA), contrast sensitivity (CS), flicker sensitivity, and dynamic CS were measured in six subjects with measures repeated across the three systems (P22, P43 and mixed). RESULTS: There was no difference between systems in VA or CS across a range of simulated night sky conditions. There also was no difference between systems in sensitivity to flicker. Performance on dynamic CS was slightly better with the P43 display, which may relate to the faster decay time of this phosphor. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide no contraindication for using the P43 phosphor in NVG's (paired or unpaired), but it would be prudent to minimize mixing of phosphors in the same NVG. Additional factors that may affect performance with different color displays are discussed.

Adult↗

Complexities of human factors in aviation.

Statistics continue to show an increased incidence of serious aircraft accidents where the cause has been attributed to "human factors", although the factors themselves have not always been specifically determined. This paper is an attempt to outline some of the stress factors which may cause a pilot to react improperly in a given situation and thus set in motion a train of events potentially leading to an accident.

Accidents, Aviation↗

Air traffic controller shiftwork: what are the implications for aviation safety? A review.

Most civilian and military air traffic control facilities in the United States use rapid rotation shift schedules. These schedules have generally been chosen for social reasons. Safety concerns have been raised because the air traffic controllers (ATCs) often carry an acute sleep debt onto the night-shift where they have little active work to do as they sit in the dark at the nadir of their circadian rhythms. This paper reviews advancing and delaying rapid shiftwork schedules, ATC workload factors as they relate to error rates and safety, and potential countermeasures. Recent studies indicate that ATC performance declines on the night-shift and that ATCs may be falling asleep while on-duty. There is indirect evidence that ATC error rates are highest on the night-shift. There are only limited studies which have evaluated potential countermeasures. The operational significance of the problems associated with ATC shiftwork is not yet clear. Further study is needed.

Aviation↗

Joint Committee on Aviation Pathology: II. Epidemiology of military air display accidents.

The paper examines fatal Canadian military air display accidents occurring between March 1, 1956, and March 1, 1974. They are discussed in detail from a human factors point of view. It was found that single and separated pilots tended to be at high risk compared with their married counterparts and most of the fatally injured pilots had less than 2,000 h total flying time. Time on type was shown to be less important than total flight time, and age in itself was unrelated to the incidence of fatal accidents. Spontaneity and deviation from prearranged plans was featured in many of the accidents. Human failure in the cockpit appears to be less frequent in air display fatalities than in fatal accidents occurring in routine operations; however, human failure in supervision accounted for 30% of the display accident cause factors, a figure much higher than in nonaerobatic fatal accidents. Finally, evidence indicates that it is possible to select and operate an aerobatic team in which the risk of a fatality is low, provided a few simple guidelines are observed by the team selectors and the team members.

Accidents, Aviation↗

Joint Committee on Aviation Pathology: IV. Crew behavior in accident causation.

The behavioral intercrew dynamics were investigated in three fatal air carrier accidents. This is apparently the original research done on this vital safety area and certain important factors have been identified for use in the prevention of future accidents. It is seen that a pilot in a flying situation is, in reality, a processor of information encompassing a system of behavior patterns. A failure in the information processing modes may be contributory to accident causation. The processing system contains four interrelated phases: 1) sensing the incoming information (Perception); 2) analyzing and understanding the processed information (Comprehension); 3) making a decision based on the understanding (Decision); and 4) performing or not performing some physical act based on the decision (Action). The dynamic factors of selective inattention, ego function, and level of awareness are present in all crew behavior. If any one of these dynamic factors affects the performance of the flight task, the behavior may lead to inappropriate performance. This may result in a fatal accident. Conclusions concerning accident prevention are drawn from this study.

Accidents, Aviation↗

Joint Committee on Aviation Pathology: V. The psychologist and flying accidents.

Flying accidents which are caused by human factors short-comings are an area of legitimate concern to the psychologist. This paper briefly reviews and assesses some of the ways in which psychologists have attempted to tackle the problems in terms of personality, skill, and environmental and domestic stress. It is suggested that the evidence is such as to suggest that it is not any single one, but the various possible combinations of these factors which are important.

Accident Proneness↗

Joint Committee on Aviation Pathology: VI. Cause of death in aircraft accidents: drowning vs. traumatic injuries.

Sometimes it is difficult to differentiate between injuries and drowning as a cause of death in aircraft-accident fatalities. There are certain anatomic and chemical changes that are compatible with drowning, but there is no single change that is diagnostic of drowning. Drowning is a diagnosis that can be made only after all other causes of death have been excluded. Only after a complete review of the circumstances surrounding the accident and the performance of a thorough autopsy can a correct diagnosis be made when there is a possibility of drowning.

Accidents, Aviation↗

Joint Committee on Aviation Pathology: XIV. Ischaemic heart disease: a problem in aircraft accident reconstruction.

A twin-engine light aircraft crashed at night on the third ILS approach. Runway Visual Range was 300 m. All four occupants were killed. The owner, aged 61, one of the two crew members, occupied the left-hand seat and was found to have an old, extensive antero-lateral infarct and severe coronary artery disease. There was no evidence of recent pathological change. A large number of drugs was found in the personal effects of the owner, including Allopurinol, Indomethacin, and Flurazepam. Subsequent investigation revealed that the owner had his PPL withdrawn 12 months prior to the accident on account of myocardial infarction. The problem of pilot control and the significance of cardiovascular disease as a possible cause for the accident are discussed.

Accidents, Aviation↗