Motion Sickness Symptons and Postural Changes following Flights in Motion-Based Flight Trainers

Abstract

Navy pilots flew over 193 standard training mission scenarios while acceleration recordings in three linear dimensions (gx, gy, and gz) were made for two moving-base flight trainers. The pilots, who were of comparable age and experience in both groups, were interviewed for motion sickness symptomatology and were tested for ataxia after leaving the simulators. The aircraft simulated included a P-3C turboprop fixed-wing patrol aircraft (2F87F), and an SH-3 antisubmarine warfare helicopter (2F64C). Motion sickness incidence was high in the SH-3 simulator and nonexistent in the P-3C. Ataxia scores indicated departures, though not significant, from expected learning curve improvements after exposure in both simulators. Spectral analyses of the motion recordings revealed significant amounts of energy in the nauseogenic region of 0.2 Hz in the SH-3 simulator in the gz and gy, but not in the gx. The levels exceeded those recommended for ship motion exposures by Military Standard 1472C. The P-3C simulator had low levels of energy in these regions, and well below recommended levels. The data are discussed from the standpoint that simulator sickness in moving-base simulation may be, at least in part, a function of exposure to frequencies that make people seasick.