Aeromedical Aspects of CH-47C Helicopter Self-Deployment (Operation Northern Leap),

A flight surgeon accompanied the first Army transatlantic helicopter flight to provide medical support and assess aircrew workload, stress and fatigue. Direct observation, interviews and questionnaires were used to gather data. Respiratory infections were experienced by approximately 50% of the mission crew during the 14 day journey. These were attributed to wide climate variations and inadequate crew rest during the first half of the mission. Daily pre-flight questionnaires showed highest levels of stress occurred at the start of the mission and decreased to a constant level once the mission was underway. Daily post-flight data demonstrated that cockpit workload increased appreciably with deterioration of weather during the latter part of the mission. Time at the flight controls and mission conditions during flight were found to be the greatest contributors to pilot fatigue; whereas, crew chiefs reported frequent time zone changes and poor facilities at stopover points to be their greatest causes of fatigue.