Equipment and methodology for determining the effects of toxic substances on pilot performance were evaluated using ethyl alcohol as a reference substance, since its effects on flying performance in a flight simulator are well known. Four levels of ethyl alcohol were administered to eight instrument trained pilots in a Latin Square within subjects design. Significant performance decrements were found on instrument holding pattern, Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach, and Sternberg's choice reaction time tasks.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AksnesE. G.Effects of small dosages of alcohol upon performance in a Link Trainer. J. Aviation Med., 1954, 25680–688 and 693
2.
BillingsC. E.WickR. L.GerkeR. J.ChaseR. C.Effects of ethyl alcohol on pilot performance. Aerospace Med., 1973, 44, 379–382
3.
DellingerJ. A.ILLIMAC pilot performance evaluation system. Link Foundation Final Report, Part A, Institute of Aviation, Aviation Research Laboratory, University of Illinois, Savoy, IL, 1983.
4.
DellingerJ. A.TaylorH. L.Measuring the pilot performance effects of neurotoxicosis.Proceedings: Second Symposium on Aviation Psychology, (In Press) Columbus, OH, 1983.
5.
HenryP. H.DavisT. Q.EngelkenE. J.TriebwasserJ. H.LancasterM. C.Alcohol-induced performance decrements assessed by two Link Trainer tasks using experienced pilots. Aerospace Med., 1974, 45, 1180–1189
6.
KleinK. E.Prediction of flight safety hazards from drug induced performance decrements with alcohol as a reference substance. Aerospace Med., 1972, 43, 1207–1214
7.
MattsonJ. L.CordtsR. E.YachmowitzM. G.HardyK. A.Prevention of radiation emesis in dogs by combination of drugs (In Press)
8.
MortimerR. G.FilkinsL. D.LowerJ. S.Development of court procedures for identifying problem drinkers: Final Report. Contract FH-11-7615, NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation, Report No. DOT-HS-800631, Highway Safety Research Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI. 1971.
9.
MortimerR. G.SturgisS. P.Effects of alcohol on safe driving skills. Report No. UM-HSRI-HF-75-1, Highway Safety Research Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 1975.
10.
WolfJ. D.Crew workload assessment: development of a measure of operator workload.Wright-Patterson AFB, OH: USAF Flight Dynamics Laboratory, AFFDL-TR-78-665, 1978.
