1997 Canadian Forces Air Operations Vision Survey Section 1 Operational Visual Requirements

Abstract : DCIEM conducted an operational vision survey of current Canadian Forces pilots. The overall survey was designed to acquire information on operational vision requirements, visual aids, and clinical and administrative support. In Section 1, Operational Visual Requirements, pilots in 9 different operational flying roles were asked to rank order from 11 to 65 different flying tasks for which they had operational experience. Information was also acquired about the importance of contrast sensitivity and the problems of glare in operational flying. Results: 1551 questionnaires were sent out. 813 questionnaires were completed and 200 returned "undelivered" for a response rate of 61% from those actually received. The average age was 37 years, range 24-54. The greatest number of tasks rated as "difficult" (D) or "very difficult" (VD) were in rotary wing flying. Tac Hel (TH) so identified 12 tasks in 6 of 10 groups. SAR RW had 12 tasks in 7 of 10 groups. Maritime patrol RW had 14 D or VD tasks in 8 task groups. In fixed wing operations, maritime patrol rated as the most challenging with 11 tasks in three groups rated as D or VD. Fighter operations were not generally rated as visually demanding with only 2 tasks in 11 task groups rated as D or VD. Tasks rated as D or VD were almost all related to operational flying such as NVGs, target or smoke detection, and not to general flying requirements. Contrast Sensitivity was identified by the pilot population as being important in all military flying operations, particularly in conditions of low visual contrast such as flying over snow or water, or at dawn or dusk. Glare is a continuing problem in CF flying operations. In particular, reflected glare was identified as a problem interfering with CRT visualization in the Griffon and Aurora.