Aerospace Medicine Technical Reports
FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-67/19
Title and Subtitle: Adaptation to vestibular disorientation. VIII. "Coriolis" vestibular stimulation and the influence of different visual surrounds.
Report Date: August 1967
Authors: Collins WE.
Abstract: Disorientation caused by 'Coriolis' vestibular reactions has been cited frequently as a significant factor in flying safety. In addition, personnel who maintain rotating radar towers may also be adversely affected by 'Coriolis' problems. In the study, the direction, extent and intensity of the illusions produced by 'Coriolis' vestibular stimulation were investigated with subjects (a) in total darkness, (b) viewing simulated wing-tip lights and a rotating beacon in an otherwise totally dark room, and (c) viewing the simulated aircraft lights through a window in a luminous 'cabin' in an otherwise totally dark room.
During 72 deg/sec rotation about the yaw-axis, lateral head movements of 30 deg produced mean verbal estimates of apparent 'diving' and 'climbing' sensations between 33.8-87.2 deg. Intensity ratings of the sensation of apparent displacement were greatest for the 'simulated aircraft lights' condition, and the relative intensity of sensation between one type of head movement as compared with another appeared to be affected by the visual surrounds.
Key Words: vertigo, coriolis effect, vestibular apparatus, adaptation (physiology), stimulation (physiology), rotation, head (anatomy), pilots, aviation medicine, senses(physiology).
No. of Pages: 16
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-67/19
Title and Subtitle: Adaptation to vestibular disorientation. VIII. "Coriolis" vestibular stimulation and the influence of different visual surrounds.
Report Date: August 1967
Authors: Collins WE.
Abstract: Disorientation caused by 'Coriolis' vestibular reactions has been cited frequently as a significant factor in flying safety. In addition, personnel who maintain rotating radar towers may also be adversely affected by 'Coriolis' problems. In the study, the direction, extent and intensity of the illusions produced by 'Coriolis' vestibular stimulation were investigated with subjects (a) in total darkness, (b) viewing simulated wing-tip lights and a rotating beacon in an otherwise totally dark room, and (c) viewing the simulated aircraft lights through a window in a luminous 'cabin' in an otherwise totally dark room.
During 72 deg/sec rotation about the yaw-axis, lateral head movements of 30 deg produced mean verbal estimates of apparent 'diving' and 'climbing' sensations between 33.8-87.2 deg. Intensity ratings of the sensation of apparent displacement were greatest for the 'simulated aircraft lights' condition, and the relative intensity of sensation between one type of head movement as compared with another appeared to be affected by the visual surrounds.
Key Words: vertigo, coriolis effect, vestibular apparatus, adaptation (physiology), stimulation (physiology), rotation, head (anatomy), pilots, aviation medicine, senses(physiology).
No. of Pages: 16
Last updated: Friday, June 1, 2012