Improving the psychophysiological training of Vietnamese Air Force pilots for high-altitude flights

Abstract

In the “pilot – aircraft – environment” system, the pilot is a decisive link and plays an important role in ensuring the reliability of this system. During the flight, the pilot works under constant exposure to adverse factors. Thus, the professional activity of a pilot is characterized by high emotional stress and severe physical and mental stresses. The influence of high-altitude factors on the health and performance of the pilot and outcomes of high-altitude flights in an emergency were considered. During these flights (altitude of >4000 m), one of the most dangerous situations is the emergency depressurization of the aircraft cabin. In this case, explosive decompression occurs, which can cause the death of the pilot and loss of the aircraft. A decrease in partial pressure leads to acute hypoxia, and a rapid decrease in barometric pressure causes high-altitude decompression disorders. The protective equipment used by pilots when performing high-altitude and stratospheric flights was presented. The system and methodology of psychophysiological preparation for high-altitude flights were analyzed, which included theoretical training, flight personnel’s familiarization with the effect of hypoxic hypoxia on the body, assessment of the tolerance to moderate hypoxia during hyperbaric ascents, selection and adjustment of protective equipment, and training in breathing and speech under excess pressure. The shortcomings in medical support for psychophysiological training of pilots of the Air Force of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam were revealed. Based on a comprehensive analysis of modern approaches, medical support for flights must be improved, and the psychophysiological training of Vietnamese Air Force pilots for high-altitude flights must be substantiated..

Keywords

high altitude flight / “pilot – aircraft – environment” system / cabin depressurization / explosive decompression / high altitude hypoxia / high-altitude vapor-gas emphysema / hyperbaric rise / psychophysiological preparation / reliability of the pilot’s performance

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