EFFECTS OF CHEMICAL PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND HEAT-STRESS ON ARMY HELICOPTER PILOT PERFORMANCE

The U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory investigated performance of helicopter pilots flying in both temperate and hot weather, with a nd without various types of chemical protective clothing (CPC) and pil ot cooling systems. These studies were conducted in the field and in l aboratory environments and evaluated aviator performance under conditi ons that increase thermal loading to explore heat stress in aviation o perations. The investigations defined expected flying limits and exami ned flight performance under these conditions. The results of early st udies prompted evaluations of personal cooling devices and their funct ional utility for aviators. These investigations provided critical inf ormation to the operational community about the effects of CPC and hea t stress on aviators operating in varied environments, especially hot desert or tropical climates.