Evaluation of potential solutions to mitigate aircrew neck strain : CIMVHR contrat W7714-125624/001/SV-task14 / by Gabrielle S. Chafe.: D68-4/089-2013E-PDF

Aircrew neck strain in the CH-146 Griffon community has become a prevalent problem.This problem also extends to the international rotary-wing community. Many factors havebeen linked to the problem, however according to a Canadian led international study, thenight vision goggles (NVG) mission length and the total NVG hours flown are linked toneck pain. In order to find short term solutions, 2 multidisciplinary teams were contractedto propose possible solutions. The solutions were evaluated by a panel of 8 experts fromdifferent fields of expertise. The highest rated (0.80) solution was to reduce the helmet/NVG system weight, centre of gravity and moment of inertia, however this was notselected by most members of the panel. The most popular solutions were proceduralsolutions focussed on assisting the aircrew with education and an athletic based exerciseregime (0.79-0.76). The most popular engineering solutions were scored moderately(0.66-0.56). Using different approaches: a) reduce the NVG use by removing or shiftingthe NVG weight on the helmet and b) replace the current counterweight with an on-bodyelastomer system. In the short term, assessing different approaches to mitigate aircrewneck pain will need to incorporate aircrew acceptance to have any significant effect.

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Publication information
Department/Agency Canada. Defence R&D Canada.
Title Evaluation of potential solutions to mitigate aircrew neck strain : CIMVHR contrat W7714-125624/001/SV-task14 / by Gabrielle S. Chafe.
Series title Technical report ; 2013-089
Publication type Series - View Master Record
Language [English]
Format Electronic
Electronic document
Note(s) "July 2014."
Includes bibliographical references.
Publishing information [Ottawa] : Defence Research and Development Canada, c2014.
Author / Contributor Chafe, Gabrielle S.
Description xiv, 51 p. : figures, graphs, tables.
Catalogue number
  • D68-4/089-2013E-PDF
Subject terms Technical reports
Neck strain
Flight engineer
Aircrew
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