Spatial Disorientation - PDF document

Spatial Disorientation Spatial Disorientation http://www.wpafb.af.mil/ 16.459 -Humans and Automation Journal Club Kevin Duda April 17, 2002 April 17, 20022Kevin Duda April 17, 20023Kevin Duda NTSB Report: NYC99MA178 NTSB Report: NYC99MA178VFR Conditions at nightDescent of 400 –800 fpmEntered a right turn, stopped at 2,200 feetClimbed to 2,600 feet, Entered a left turn–Descending 900 fpmRate of descent increased to ~4,700 fpmAirplane struck the water in a nose-down attitudeCan you identify the cause? April 17, 20024Kevin Duda Spatial Disorientation, A Definition Spatial Disorientation, A Definition“[A failure] to sense correctly the position, motion, or attitude of the aircraft or of him/herself within the fixed coordinate system provided by the surface of the earth and the gravitational vertical.” (Benson, 1998) April 17, 20025Kevin Duda Lost Resources, An Issue Lost Resources, An IssueMilitary–1980 –89, $500M in USAF resources lost–Currently, $100M per yearGeneral Aviation–1976 –92, ~10% of fatalities resulted from SD–Numbers have declined(Fatal General Aviation Accidents Involving Spatial Disorientation: 1976-1992, Collins and Dollar (1996) ) April 17, 20026Kevin Duda Types of Spatial Disorientation Types of Spatial DisorientationType I–Unrecognized (most common)Type II–Recognized (more traditional)Type III–Incapacitating (least known and understood) April 17, 20027Kevin Duda Physiological Mechanisms Physiological MechanismsVisual Orientation–Object Recognition, Spatial OrientationVestibular Function–Stabilize Vision, Orientational Information, Percept of Motion and PositionAuditory–Location of Sound Source April 17, 20028Kevin Duda Dynamics DynamicsVisual DominanceVestibular SuppressionOpportunismGiant HandDisintegration of Flying Skill http://www.wpafb.af.mil/ April 17, 20029Kevin Duda Research and Technology Research and Technology DevelopmentDevelopmentHuman Systems IAC Gateway (Vol. XII, No.3 (2001)–Measuring the Head Tilt Illusion During Sustained Acceleration–Canadian Approach to Spatial Disorientation Training–SD, GD, LSA, and CFIT–Advanced Display Technologies–Desdemona: Advanced Disorientation Trainer April 17, 200210Kevin Duda Measuring the Head Tilt Illusion Measuring the Head Tilt IllusionCoriolis and G-excess IllusionsObjective–�Determine the effect of head tilt in 1G environment on perception of attitude April 17, 200211Kevin Duda Measuring the Head Tilt Illusion Measuring the Head Tilt Illusion April 17, 200212Kevin Duda Measuring the Head Tilt Illusion Measuring the Head Tilt IllusionConclusions–�Pitching and yawing in 1G acceleration can lead to a misperception of attitude–Magnitudes of illusions were greater for larger head movements and accelerations April 17, 200213Kevin Duda Canadian Approach to SD Training Canadian Approach to SD TrainingDemonstration of other illusions after basic jet trainingComplement ground training with in-flight trainingProvide trainee with procedures to cope with illusions April 17, 200214Kevin Duda SD, GD, LSA, and CFIT SD, GD, LSA, and CFITSpatial Orientation–Control and Performance InstrumentsGeographic Orientation–Navigational InstrumentsLoss of Situational AwarenessControlled Flight into Terrain April 17, 200215Kevin Duda SD, GD, LSA, and CFIT SD, GD, LSA, and CFIT April 17, 200216Kevin Duda Advanced Display Technologies Advanced Display TechnologiesAdvanced displays may overload operatorLoss of confidence in “fused data”Attentional Capture April 17, 200217Kevin Duda Advanced Disorientation Trainer Advanced Disorientation Trainer April 17, 200218Kevin Duda GYROLAB GYROLAB http://www.amtiusa.com/frst_ed/digpg6.htm April 17, 200219Kevin Duda April 17, 200220Kevin Duda Illusions in Flight Illusions in FlightAutokinesis Blackhole ApproachFalse HorizonLeansCoriolisSomatogyral April 17, 200221Kevin Duda Autokinesis Autokinesis April 17, 200222Kevin Duda Blackhole Approach Blackhole Approach April 17, 200223Kevin Duda False Horizon Illusion False Horizon Illusion Sky-Ground Blending Northern Lights April 17, 200224Kevin Duda The Leans The Leans April 17, 200225Kevin Duda Coriolis Illusion Coriolis Illusion April 17, 200226Kevin Duda Somatogyral Illusion Somatogyral Illusion April 17, 200227Kevin Duda April 17, 200228Kevin Duda Back to the NTSB Report Back to the NTSB ReportFAA AC: VFR MinimumsNo pre-impact mechanical malfunctionProbable cause:–“The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during a descent over water at night, which was a result of spatial disorientation.”–Graveyard spin? April 17, 200229Kevin Duda Contributing Factors Contributing FactorsFatigueWeather*Personal Time Pressures*Unexpected Flight Plan ChangesPersonal Attitude (self-confidence) April 17, 200230Kevin Duda Reduction in SD Mishaps Reduction in SD MishapsImproving training materials and techniquesDevelopment of technologies to–Minimize occurrence of SD–Assist in the recovery from SDResearch in psychological mechanisms leading to SDCockpit Layout and Flight Instruments April 17, 200231Kevin Duda A Few Last Words A Few Last Words“Aviation in itself is not inherently dangerous. But to an even greater degree than the sea, it is Unforgivingof any carelessness, incapacity, or neglect.”--Anonymous April 17, 200232Kevin Duda Questions / Discussion Questions / Discussion Personal Experiences with SD?–(Doesn’t have to be related to flight)Should the FAA impose stricter minimums for VFR flight?