Effect of a Monocular Helmet-Mounted Display on Aircrew Health : A cohort Study of Apache AH MK1 Pilots Initial Report

A collaborative occupational health study has been undertaken by Headquarters Director Army Aviation, Middle Wallop, UK, and the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory, Fort Rucker, Alabama, to determine if the use of the monocular helmet-mounted display in the Apache AH MK1 attack helicopter has any long-term (10-year) effect on visual performance. This paper describes the protocol, methodology, development and initial execution phase of this study. The test methodology consists primarily of a battery of vision tests selected to capture changes in visual performance (with an emphasis on binocular visual functions) of Apache aviators over their flight career. Additional sections address demographics, contact lens use, and handedness. It is anticipated that the number of Apache aviators will level out to approximately 70 by the end of the first 3 years of the study. Non-Apache aviators will serve as a control group.Army Aeromedical Research Lab Fort Rucker AL is the author of 'Effect of a Monocular Helmet-Mounted Display on Aircrew Health : A cohort Study of Apache AH MK1 Pilots Initial Report', published 2001 under ISBN 9781423525103 and ISBN 1423525108.