Spatial Disorientation 
An Insidious Killer
Charles S. Lessard, Ph.D.
LT. COL. USAF (Retired)

In evolutionary development, humans were subjected to many varieties of transient motions, but not to sustain accelerations commonly experienced in today’s high performance aircraft.  The human sensory systems are suited for postural control and maneuvering on earth, but the systems are not suited for orientation in the flight environment.  Entry of humans into the aerial environment resulted in uncovering mismatches between orientation demands of the flight environment and the innate ability of humans to orient.  These mismatches are referred to as “Spatial Disorientation” (SD).  Spatial disorientation is defined by the Air Force as, “…an incorrect perception of one’s linear and angular position and motion relative to the plane of the earth’s surface.”  In the flight environment, SD is an erroneous precept of any of the flight instruments displayed by aircraft control and performance instruments.  Generally, the SD illusions in flight are categorized into illusions involving visual misperceptions and illusions involving vestibular misperceptions.

 The presentation will present various illusions, which have in the last decade accounted for 14-Class A, aircraft mishaps in military aviation.  The taxonomy of a several mishaps will be presented and what the military is doing to counter SD.

Date:  Thursday, January 13, 2000
Location: 
     Shell Services International
     1500 Old Spanish Trail

For more information, contact Ransom Siler at 713 245 4199 or rsiler@shellus.com.