A team of Navy and NASA personnel monitored Navy carrier pilots flying high-rish attack combat missions in North Viet Nam during a 22-day line period near the end of a seven-month deployment. During the first 10 days, ECG, respiration and acceleration were recorded in flight on 32 pilots. Samples of pre- and post-flight blood and urine were collected for biochemical analysis for stress hormones and other fractions. Landing performance was recorded from radar tracking and carrier approaches. Results of the cardiorespiratory response is reported in a separate paper. The phosphatidyl glycerol fraction of the plasma phospholipids became elevated during the combat period, as did the phosphatidic acid, while the cardiolipin level remained relatively constant. These changes plotted against time in combat indicated a characteristic biochemical response pattern for combat flying stress. Statistical analysis of the designated phospholipid components showed significant concentration changes in the combat pilots in contrast to that previously found in other stress states and in normal controls. Analysis of the landing data of the monitored pilots showed a mean performance for the group which compared closely to the performance of pilots flying similar aircraft (A4E). (Author)
Aeromedical Monitoring of Naval Aviators During Aircraft Carrier Combat Operation
1967
6 pages
Report
No indication
English
Stress Physiology , Pilots , Aviation medicine , Medical examination , Stress(Physiology) , Aerial warfare , Electrocardiography , Respiration , Acceleration , Blood chemistry , Urine , Hormones , Carrier landings , Performance(Human) , Phospholipids , Statistical analysis , Naval aviation , Monitors , Reprints