Evaluation of the Spatial Disorientation Sortie in Training Aviators

Following didactic instruction, most aircrew are able to experience some of the disorientating illusions and limitations of the orientation senses in a variety of ground-based devices. In order to reinforce instruction in spatial disorientation (SD) within the environment in which they operate, British Army Air Corps helicopter pilots also receive an airborne demonstration of the limitations of their orientation senses. The objective of this assessment was to determine whether the SD demonstration sortie would be an effective adjunct in training aircrew in SD in the U.S. Army. This paper describes the sortie and records the results of the assessment. Forty-five aviators and training personnel experienced the sortie and provided their opinion in questionnaires. The following conclusions were made: The maneuvers performed in the SD demonstration sortie, and the sortie overall, were extremely effective at demonstrating the limitations of the orientation senses; the SD sortie attracted a significantly higher rating in its effectiveness to train aviators in SD than all the currently available methods; the introduction of the sortie into the initial flight training syllabus would be a distinct enhancement to the SD training of aviators and associated personnel; and the introduction of the sortie into the refresher training in field units also would be an advantage. Recommendations to support these conclusions are made.Army Aeromedical Research Lab Fort Rucker AL is the author of 'Evaluation of the Spatial Disorientation Sortie in Training Aviators', published 1997 under ISBN 9781423580225 and ISBN 1423580222.