ASSESSMENT OF THE ANTI-G STRAINING MANEUVER (ACSM) SKILL PERFORMANCE AND REINFORCEMENT PROGRAM

Initial high-C centrifuge training of USAF fast jet pilots was institu ted in 1985. Also, since the mid-1980's, pilot awareness of G-induced loss of consciousness (G-LOC) has been enhanced by briefings, videotap es, and safety articles. Aircraft accidents caused by an improperly pe rformed anti-G straining maneuver (AGSM), however, continue to occur. Deficiencies in the AGSM of pilots in flight have not been systematica lly studied. A test program to reinforce the proper performance of the AGSM in flight was initiated in the United States Air Forces Europe ( USAFE) in 1993. Head-up display videotapes (HUD tapes) were recorded d uring flight and critiqued during debrief by flight leads for AGSM tec hnique and continuity. Questionnaires were completed by F-16, F-15C, a nd F-15E pilots assigned to USAFE: 78 surveys were completed out of 11 0 distributed (71%). There were 57 pilots (73%) who reported one or mo re problems with their AGSM: 33 noted that the timing of their breathi ng was too quick (<2 s cycle), 11 that their breathing was too slow (> 4 s), 9 that inhalation was too long, 18 occasionally did not ''get th e jump on the Gs,'' and 34 frequently or occasionally talked during +G z exposures. Of the 105 reported deficiencies, 67 (64%) were mostly or completely corrected: 30/33 (91%) if the timing of breathing was too quick, 8/11 (73%) if too slow, 5/9 (56%) if inhalation too long, 12/18 (67%) ''jump on the Gs,'' and 12/34 (35%) if they talked. This progra m was most successful in remediating timing problems with the AGSM.