Gs and Aerobatic Pilots
By R.E. Van Patten, Ph.D., P.E.
Chief, Acceleration Effects Branch Biodynamics and Bioengineering Div. Harry G. Armstrong Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio
Tolerance to sustained acceleration varies widely from individual to individual and from day to day for a single individual. The primary factors that determine acceleration tolerance are as follows:
Anatomy, Physiology and Physics
Body orientation with respect to the G vector
Magnitude of Gs
Duration of Gs
Rate of change of Gs
Proficiency in performance of self-protection (straining) maneuvers
Somatotype (the individual's build)
Physical fitness/type of exercise
Age
Blood pressure
Fatigue/rest status
Diet/nutrition
Dehydration
Ambient temperature
Altitude
Illness
Medications
To provide a foundation of understanding at the outset I will discuss the physics, anatomy and physiology of acceleration. The role of some of the factors listed above will then be self-evident.
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