Evaluation of the Blood Circulation System in Pilots of Deck Aircrafts during Long-distance Missions

Abstract

The goal of this study was to evaluate the state of cardiovascular system in fighter and helicopter pilots during a long-distance naval mission. The study was carried out aboard a heavy aircraft carrier in pilots of deck aircrafts, and its participants were represented by 17 fighter pilots, 9 helicopter pilots, as well as 21 flight operations controllers. The circulation indicators were studied by the method of volumetric compression oscillography, using an APKO-8 oscillometric analyzer of circulation. An AnnaFlash 2000 digital 24-h ECG accumulator was used to monitor the time course of heart rate (HR) in fighter and helicopter pilots flying off the deck of the carrier. The analysis of the central and peripheral hemodynamic indicators has shown a significant predominance of pilots with prehypertension and mild hypertension among the flight personnel of deck-based aviation. Maximal values of systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure prevailed in helicopter pilots, while minimal values were characteristic of fighter pilots. Differences in these parameters between helicopter and fighter pilots tended to increase gradually with the duration of the long-distance mission. Maximum HR increases (up to 157 bpm) were recorded in fighter pilots during landing on the carrier deck). The most stressful task for helicopter pilots proved to be the descent of a rescuer in a winch, which was evidenced by the HR values increasing up to 132 bpm. The indicators of adaptation to the conditions of a naval mission varied within wide ranges. Fighter pilots adapted themselves more successfully than helicopter pilots. Hence the conclusion about the necessity to upgrade the system of flight personnel selection and training for operating under the conditions of a long-distance naval mission, as well as the monitoring of the health state of pilots.