Abstract
Introduction: Modern super agile fighter aircraft have significantly expanded maneuverability envelopes, often involving very high angles of attack (AOA) in the post-stall region. One such maneuver is the high AOA velocity vector roll. The geometry of this flight maneuver is such that during the roll there is a significant lateral G load imposed on the unrestrained head-neck complex of the pilot. Methods: A mathematical analysis of the geometric relationship determining the magnitude of ± G y acceleration during high AOA maneuvering was conducted. This preliminary mathematical model is able to predict the G y load imposed on the head-neck complex of the pilot for a given set of flight maneuver parameters. Results: The analysis predicts that at an AOA of 70 o and with a roll rate of 100 o · s -1, the lateral G developed will be approximately 3.5 G y. Increasing the roll rate increases the lateral G component: at 200 o · s -1 the G yload is more than ± G y. Conclusions: There are serious potential implications of super agile maneuvers on the neck of the pilot. The G environment experienced by the pilot of super agile aircraft is increasingly multiaxial, involving ± G x, ± G y, and ± G z. The level of lateral G developed during these dynamic flight maneuvers should not be underestimated, as such G loads can potentially lead to neck injuries. While aircraft become ever more capable, a full understanding of the biodynamic effects on the pilot while exploiting the agility of the aircraft still needs to be developed.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 819-824 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine |
| Volume | 82 |
| Issue number | 8 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Aug 2011 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Acceleration
- Biodynamic
- Super agile
Cite this
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The geometry of high angle of attack maneuvers and the implications for G y -induced neck injuries. / Newman, David G.; Ostler, David.
In: Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine, Vol. 82, No. 8, 08.2011, p. 819-824.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - The geometry of high angle of attack maneuvers and the implications for G y -induced neck injuries
AU - Newman, David G.
AU - Ostler, David
PY - 2011/8
Y1 - 2011/8
N2 - Introduction: Modern super agile fighter aircraft have significantly expanded maneuverability envelopes, often involving very high angles of attack (AOA) in the post-stall region. One such maneuver is the high AOA velocity vector roll. The geometry of this flight maneuver is such that during the roll there is a significant lateral G load imposed on the unrestrained head-neck complex of the pilot. Methods: A mathematical analysis of the geometric relationship determining the magnitude of ± G y acceleration during high AOA maneuvering was conducted. This preliminary mathematical model is able to predict the G y load imposed on the head-neck complex of the pilot for a given set of flight maneuver parameters. Results: The analysis predicts that at an AOA of 70 o and with a roll rate of 100 o · s -1, the lateral G developed will be approximately 3.5 G y. Increasing the roll rate increases the lateral G component: at 200 o · s -1 the G yload is more than ± G y. Conclusions: There are serious potential implications of super agile maneuvers on the neck of the pilot. The G environment experienced by the pilot of super agile aircraft is increasingly multiaxial, involving ± G x, ± G y, and ± G z. The level of lateral G developed during these dynamic flight maneuvers should not be underestimated, as such G loads can potentially lead to neck injuries. While aircraft become ever more capable, a full understanding of the biodynamic effects on the pilot while exploiting the agility of the aircraft still needs to be developed.
AB - Introduction: Modern super agile fighter aircraft have significantly expanded maneuverability envelopes, often involving very high angles of attack (AOA) in the post-stall region. One such maneuver is the high AOA velocity vector roll. The geometry of this flight maneuver is such that during the roll there is a significant lateral G load imposed on the unrestrained head-neck complex of the pilot. Methods: A mathematical analysis of the geometric relationship determining the magnitude of ± G y acceleration during high AOA maneuvering was conducted. This preliminary mathematical model is able to predict the G y load imposed on the head-neck complex of the pilot for a given set of flight maneuver parameters. Results: The analysis predicts that at an AOA of 70 o and with a roll rate of 100 o · s -1, the lateral G developed will be approximately 3.5 G y. Increasing the roll rate increases the lateral G component: at 200 o · s -1 the G yload is more than ± G y. Conclusions: There are serious potential implications of super agile maneuvers on the neck of the pilot. The G environment experienced by the pilot of super agile aircraft is increasingly multiaxial, involving ± G x, ± G y, and ± G z. The level of lateral G developed during these dynamic flight maneuvers should not be underestimated, as such G loads can potentially lead to neck injuries. While aircraft become ever more capable, a full understanding of the biodynamic effects on the pilot while exploiting the agility of the aircraft still needs to be developed.
KW - Acceleration
KW - Biodynamic
KW - Super agile
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79961200725&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3357/ASEM.2978.2011
DO - 10.3357/ASEM.2978.2011
M3 - Article
VL - 82
SP - 819
EP - 824
JO - Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine
JF - Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine
SN - 0095-6562
IS - 8
ER -