‘G’ is the ratio between a given acceleration and the acceleration due to gravity. The term ‘G force’ is used sometimes to describe a force, which produced acceleration, which is a multiple of the acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/sq sec). Thus, an acceleration of 98.1 m/sq sec would be 10 G. High sustained G, …
Tag: fighter pilots
Exhilarating when Accelerating in Air!
A fast jet can move rapidly on ground, taking off into the medium of air where it can be manoeuvered in flight by the aerodynamic forces generated by the thrust of its engine and manoeuvrability by swift-responding control surfaces. Such movements of the aircraft affect its occupants, the aircrew (pilots and weapons system operators) due …
G-LOC – Then and Now…
16 September 2011. Reno, Nevada saw the tragic crash of a P-51Mustang [1] during the Reno Air Races. The findings of the National Transportation Safety Board suggests that the pilot had lost consciousness due to ‘overwhelming’ G forces [2]. This occurrence in a modified 1940’s vintage aircraft is no surprise, considering its high thrust to …
Decompression Sickness in HA Reconnaissance Aircraft
Pilots flying high altitude (HA) reconnaissance sorties are vulnerable to decompression sickness (DCS) due to, exposure to “pressure equivalent up to 29,500 ft (8992 m) of altitude for over 8 h” [1]. Cruise altitude of such HA reconnaissance aircraft viz. U-2 [2] and MiG 25 [3] is 70,000 ft and 74,000 ft, respectively. There are two …
Are SD accidents not so Common in Aviation?
Accidents due to Spatial Disorientation (SD), in military and general aviation, reportedly vary between 2.1 to 31% [1 – 11]. Despite of physiological limitations of the ‘human’ operator, accident statistics do not correctly reflect SD as a cause, as commonly as expected, especially in the military aviation. In fact, in a review of accidents due …