Metabolic Rate and Heat Stress Associated With Flying Military Rotary-Wing Aircraft.

Abstract : This report focuses on the metabolic rates of front- and rear-seated crewmembers operating military rotary-wing aircraft. A review of the literature was performed and summarized to include U.S. Army and NATO aircraft. Based on the findings of this report, piloting such aircraft requires very light to light metabolic intensities (105-240 watts). Preflight activities and crewmember duties are considered moderate metabolic intensity (206-490 watts). The operational scenario for military aviation is described along with a brief explanation of U.S. Army helicopters including a summary of general crewmember tasks. Since heat stress is a limiting factor in the helicopter cockpit, a summary of temperature data is also included. Although temperature control devices have shown some success in alleviating heat stress in the cockpit, there is still evidence of decrements in aviator performance mainly due to wearing impermeable chemical protective clothing.