VERTIGO AS A CAUSE OF PILOT ERROR IN JET AIRCRAFT.

One hundred and thirty-seven jet pilots were studied to obtain information regarding their vertigo experiences in jet aircraft. Individual interviews and a check list of vertigo experiences were used. It was found that 96 per cent of the pilots had experienced vertigo while flying jet aircraft and that the nature of vertigo was essentially the same as that found during flight in propeller driven aircraft. The most frequent illusary experience was found to involve confusions with regard to the attitude and motion of the aircraft. The jet pilots believe that certain unique aspects of jet flight may contribute to difficulties in spatial orientation. Author