Aerospace Medicine and Human Engineering

Beginnings of Aerospace Medicine

• Established in 1918 with the founding of the Army Aviation Medical Research Laboratory at Hazelhurst Field.

• Research was conducted to support flyers in WW I.

STRESSES

P-38 Lightning

1941

410+ mph, 35,000’

P-47 Thunderbolt

1941

435+ mph, 42,000’

P-80 Shooting Star

1944

550+ mph, 45,000’

1st Jet

Air Supremacy• Theory that you must “control the skies” before you

can win on the ground– Bombers– Fighters– Anti-Aircraft Artillery (AAA, or Triple A)– Surface to Air Missiles (SAMs)

http://www.history.com/media.do?id=dogfights_mpfernandez_broadband&action=clip

DOG FIGHTS require flying an aircraft

to it’s limits

CREATING

STRESSES!

Beginnings of Aerospace Medicine

• The study of flight physiology started with the balloon ascension of Joseph and Etienne Montgolfier.

Beginnings of Aerospace Medicine

• French physicist Jacques Charles

Beginnings of Aerospace Medicine

• John Jeffries and Jean-Pierre Blanchard

Beginnings of Aerospace Medicine

• Coxwell and Glaisher

Beginnings of

Aerospace Medicine • The Father of Aviation

Medicine-Paul Bert• Conducted experiments

with barometric pressure• Proved the principle

effects of altitude on the body

• Made the first low-pressure altitude chamber

Beginnings of Aerospace Medicine

• Sivel, Croce’-Spinelli and Tissandier• Conducted experiments by refraining from

oxygen.• Before they were aware that they were suffering

from oxygen starvation they became paralyzed. • Tissandier was the only survivor.

1875

Beginnings of Aerospace Medicine • Schools of Aviation Medicine

• The Signal Corp established an Aeronautical Division in 1907.

• In 1917, General Theodore Charles Lyster was the first chief surgeon, Aviation Section, Signal Corps, United States Army.

• In 1953, General Harry G. Armstrong participated in the establishment of the Aeromedical Laboratory in Dayton, Ohio.

Care of Flyers

• The Armed Forces have doctors with special training in the care of flyers.

• Flight surgeons perform periodic examinations on fliers to evaluate their

physical and mental fitness.• The flight surgeon is not only concerned

about the pilot but also the conditions the pilot finds in the cockpit.

Flight Physical

• Every year• When sick, you’re put on DNIF:

– “Duty Not to Include Flying”

• Drug testing at any time• “GROUNDED!” Not words you want to

hear!– $800/month extra pay on flight status– Sometimes $12,000/year bonus– The joy of flying

Stress Test• 0-149 Low susceptibility

to stress-related illness• 150-299 Medium

susceptibility to stress-related illness.

• 300 + High susceptibility to stress-related illnessDaily practice of relaxation

skills is very important for

your wellness. Take care of it

now before a serious illness

erupts or an affliction becomes

worse.

READ PP. 2-31 TO 2-37

COMPLETE WORKBOOK, P. 35 & 39-40 (PARTS A & D)

Man and Machine

• The matching of man and machine is constantly under study by human engineering

• Every control and instrument in the aircraft must be developed with regard to the pilots needs

• The military has had standardization of the instrument panel since high-performance aircraft came into use

• “Basic T” design of instrumentation

• attitude indicator is in top center, airspeed to the left, altitude to the right and heading indicator under the attitude indicator.

Man and Machine

• Servomechanisms are an important area of interest to human engineering.

• Another area of importance in human engineering is in designing protective equipment for flight.

Research on the Fringe of Space

• Balloons - Valuable for collecting physiological data.

• In 1931, Auguste Piccard perfected the oxygen-pressure gondola for balloons.

• In 1935, Captains Anderson and Stevens ascended to 72,395 feet.

• In 1957 Major Simons ascended to 102,000 feet.

Research on the Fringe of Space

• The Excelsior balloon flights began in 1959• Captain Kittinger rode in an open gondola

protected only by his oxygen supply and pressure suit.

• On the first flight he jumped from the gondola at 76,400 feet.

• The second and third flights were completed successfully. On the third he ascended and jumped from a height of 102,800 feet.

Research on the Fringe of Space

• Research Aircraft: X-1• The first U.S. rocket aircraft.• Chuck Yeager became the first man to fly faster

the speed of sound.

Research on the Fringe of Space

• Research Aircraft: X-2• The X-2 was subjected to intense friction heating. • The pilot was protected with cooling equipment in

his pressure suit.

Research on the Fringe of Space

• Research Aircraft: X-15• The X-15 reached a speed of 4,534 mph and an

altitude of 354,200 feet.• Several pilots received astronaut ratings.

Research on the Fringe of Space

• Research Aircraft: X-24B• Wingless with a flat undersurface. • X-24B research program was conducted with

NASA.

Research on the Fringe of Space

• Animal Astronauts• Scientists and engineers

began experimenting with

rockets following

World War II.• Medical researchers then

sent animals into the upper

atmosphere.

Research on the Fringe of Space

• Animal Astronauts• Mice and other small animals were used for the

early experiments.• As rockets became more powerful, larger

payloads could be sent into space.

Research on the Fringe of Space

• Before American astronauts were rocketed into space, two chimpanzees were used to test the mercury spacecraft and the flight plan.

Summary

1. Beginnings of Aviation Medicine

2. Care of Flyers

3. Man and Machine

4. Research on the Fringe of Space