Changes in the timing of responses following spells of high speed flying

Abstract

One of the important signs of fatigue in pilots is prolongation of the time taken to respond to signals for action. Since promptness in action is essential in high speed flying, it was of interest to see whether any changes occur in the timing of response of IAF pilots after routing flying sorties. This study was carried out on a group of IAF jet fighter pilots stationed at Palam, New Delhi during the Summer months of 1954. The pilots were tested immediately before and after their flying exercises by measuring their response times to three arrangements of stimuli presented in rapid succession, so as to determine the time required for an immediate response, a discrimination and a choice. Analysis of results showed that there was slight prolongation in the post-flight values This difference was most marked after 'hard' stories. Of the various alternative explanations considered in order to account for this difference, 'transient, fatigue appears to be most plausible.