The effect of a light flashing at 5 fps on performance of tasks representative of those required of a pilot was studied. The tasks were digit span, pursuit rotor, reaction time, and a combination of all three. Reaction time was longer in the combined task, and pursuit rotor performance was degraded by the flashing light. It was concluded that the longer reaction times were due to lowered vigilance, and the degradation of pursuit rotor performance was attributed to interference in the central processes by the flashing light.
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