Citation

Knudson R, McMillan D, Doucette D, Seidel M. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 1988; 59(8): 758-760.

Affiliation

Aviation Medicine Division, Naval Air Station, Lemoore, California.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1988, Aerospace Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

3178626

Abstract

The introduction of the high performance F/A-18 into the Navy and Marine Corps units has brought attention to the problem of high +Gx-induced neck pain and injury. Aviators from the Light Attack Wing, Pacific were surveyed and the results were categorized by aircraft type. We found that 74% of F/A-18 aviators surveyed reported neck pain with high +Gz. Out of 37 pilots reporting neck injury, 11 required removal from flight status averaging 3 days. The inability to function effectively during high G flight and the impact of lost pilot days highlight the need for further study into prevalence and solutions for high +Gz-induced neck injury.