Proceedings of the First Triservice Conference on Rotary-Wing Spatial Disorientation: Spatial Disorientation in the Operational Rotary-Wing Environment

Several recent studies at the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory (USAARL) and the U.S. Army Safety Center (USASC) have highlighted the significant contribution of Spatial Disorientation (SD) to helicopter accidents. In the U.S. Army the cost can be approximated at $58M and 14 lives each year. Following some local training initiatives by USAARL and the U.S. Army School of Aviation Medicine (USASAM), the first Triservice Symposium on Spatial Disorientation in Rotary-Wing Operations was held from 24 September 1996 through 26 September 1996 at USASAM. This symposium sought to address three main areas: (1) the seriousness of the SD hazard; (2) current methods to control the hazard; and (3) the associated safety and risk management concerns. This report contains the proceedings of the symposium. The symposium was considered to be a success in raising the awareness of the impact of SD on rotary-wing flying operations in the aeromedical and safety communities of the services. It was clear that SD imposes a particular hazard to rotary wing operations which differs in many respects to that experienced by fixed wing operators. There was unanimous agreement that initiatives to overcome the problem must be made. In order to maintain the impetus established by the symposium and secure funding for the various initiatives, the report contains a memorandum detailing the important factors and makes recommendations for future activity in the area. Work is required in education, training, research, and equipment procurement. Control factors are discussed and recommendations made according to whether the approach should be solely directed towards the U.S. Army, or on a triservice basis.Army Aeromedical Research Lab Fort Rucker Al is the author of 'Proceedings of the First Triservice Conference on Rotary-Wing Spatial Disorientation: Spatial Disorientation in the Operational Rotary-Wing Environment' with ISBN 9781423568872 and ISBN 1423568877.