Well, It Looked Like Fun...

While being spun in a chair and parasailing hardly sound like intense pilot training exercises, they are several techniques aerospace physiology experts use to train Air Force pilots. Within the first eight and a half days of pilot training, students become familiar with air and ground survival training through an array of hands-on and classroom exercises.

“Pilots start their training with us -- this is their first stop,” said Tech. Sgt. Dora Caniglia, the noncommissioned officer in charge of administration for the 47th Aeromedical Squadron.

Aerospace physiology is the foundation of pilot training, and it teaches student pilots the basics, she said. “Aerospace physiology is important at a pilot-training base because all the training deals with life or death situations,” Caniglia said. “This is where pilots learn how they are going to survive should they have to eject out of their aircraft.”

While students spend the majority of the time receiving classroom instruction, they also participate in a variety of hands-on training exercises.

Some of that survival training includes Barany chair exercises, parasailing and sessions in the altitude chamber. The chair exercises demonstrate spatial disorientation and how the body can be fooled while in flight. Parasailing allows students to practice safe parachute-landing fall procedures. The altitude chamber allows students to identify symptoms of hypoxia, or lack of oxygen, and self-correct them.

“We demonstrate how to recognize, treat and overcome challenges such as hypoxia, decompression sickness and passing out (because of) improper anti-gravity maneuvers,” Caniglia said. “We have to make (the students) aware of the dangers of hypoxia. If they don’t correct the symptoms right away, the next symptom could be them passing out. If they’re flying alone, that could mean their lives.”

“(We) ensure pilots get the knowledge they need to succeed in the air as well as on the ground,” said Senior Airman Chris Morlandt, an aerospace physiology journeyman. “This is the only place they are lectured on the different hazards associated with altitude and how to egress the aircraft in a timely manner, whether in the air or on the ground. There are many hazards ‘up there’ that could cause a pilot to become incapacitated. It is our job to ensure they know the combative techniques to overcome such obstacles.”

The students also learn ground-rescue techniques such as using flares and a signaling mirror. Other ground-survival methods taught include building shelters, procuring food and starting a fire.

“It’s rewarding to see the results of your training,” Caniglia said. “That’s when you know you accomplished your mission,” she said. [ANN Thanks Airman 1st Class Yvonne Clark, 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs]

FMI: www.af.mil