An Assessment of Thermal Stress Effects on Flight Mishaps that Involve Pilot Human Factors

Abstract : In recent years, the designers of the newest DoD fighter aircraft, such as the F-35 and the F-22, have examined the feasibility of new physiological equipment for the pilots such as the full-coverage, temperature-regulated G-suits. A question was posed as to whether there was a correlation between extreme temperatures and current mishap rates in legacy fighters, thereby giving a baseline for the newer fighters to compare their performance. This study was completed to determine if a correlation existed between extreme air temperatures at home station and fighter mishaps involving pilot human factors. The study was completed in 2006, using a comprehensive 10 year review to include the fiscal years 1996-2005. The mishap data were extracted from the Internet-based Aviation Safety Automated System (AVSAS). Three aircraft were used in the study, to include 9 F-15C bases, 5 F-15E bases, and 13 F-16C bases. Flying hours were provided by AF/A3OT at the Pentagon as totals per month, per aircraft type, per base. The air temperature data were provided by the Air Force Combat Climatology Center (AFCCC) in Asheville, NC and included the average high temperature and average low temperature for each month at each base. This study found no significant statistical correlation between extreme surface temperatures at home station and the flight mishap rates due to pilot human factors.