Aviator's Fluid Balance During Military Flight.

INTRODUCTION: A loss of 1% or more of bodyweight due to dehydration has a negative effect on cognitive performance, which could critically affect flight safety. There is no mention in the literature concerning the amounts of military pilots' fluid loss during flight. The aim of this study was to quantify fluid loss of pilots during military flight. METHODS: There were 48 aviators (mean age 23.9) from the Israeli Air Force who participated in the study, which included 104 training flights in various flight platforms. Bodyweight, urine specific gravity, and environmental heat strain were measured before and after each flight. Fluid loss was calculated as the weight differences before and after the flight. We used a univariate and one-way ANOVA to analyze the effect of different variables on the fluid loss. RESULTS: The mean fluid loss rate was 462 ml · h-1. The results varied among different aircraft platforms and depended on flight duration. Blackhawk pilots lost the highest amount of fluids per flight, albeit had longer flights (mean 108 min compared to 35.5 in fighter jets). Jet fighter pilots had the highest rate of fluid loss per hour of flight (up to 692 ml, extrapolated). CONCLUSION: Overall, at 11 flights (11%) aircrew completed their flight with a meaningful fluid loss. We conclude that military flights may be associated with significant amount of fluid loss among aircrew.Levkovsky A, Abot-Barkan S, Chapnik L, Doron O, Levy Y, Heled Y, Gordon B. Aviator's fluid balance during military flight. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2018; 89(2):9498.

Back symptoms in aviators flying different aircraft.

INTRODUCTION: Back pain is a common complaint among military aviators of various aircraft. We attempted to define the epidemiologic characteristics of this complaint in military aviators of the Israeli Air Force. METHODS: Aviators of various aircraft (fighter, attack helicopter, utility helicopter, and transport and cargo) completed 566 questionnaires. The questionnaires included various demographic variables as well as questions specifically addressing type of aircraft, location, and severity of pain. Questionnaires were analyzed according to aircraft type, weekly and total number of flight hours. RESULTS: Back pain was significantly more common among utility and attack helicopter pilots. Compared with only 64.02% of fighter pilots, 89.38% of utility and 74.55% of attack helicopter pilots reported some degree of back pain. Cervical region pain was more common among fighter pilots (47.2%) and utility helicopter pilots (47.3%) compared with attack helicopter (36.4%) and transport (22.3%) pilots. Cervical region pain of moderate-severe degree was more common among utility helicopter pilots (7.1%). Mid and low back pain at all degrees of severity were more common among helicopter pilots. A significant proportion of subjects suffered from pain in multiple regions, particularly among utility helicopter pilots (32.74%). Severity of pain was graded higher in all three regions (cervical, mid, and lower back) in utility helicopter pilots. CONCLUSIONS: Utility helicopter pilots have more prevalent and more severe back pain than pilots of other platforms. Yet, it is difficult to make a clear association between type of aircraft and the region of back pain.

Dietary intake of pilots in the Israeli Air Force.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dietary intake of pilots in the Israeli Air Force and to determine whether reported consumption met the Military Dietary Reference Intakes. Thirty-one pilots completed a 24-hour dietary recall and physical activity questionnaire. Blood parameter values were collected from medical records. Results showed that energy-adjusted sample mean intakes of nutrients met the military recommendations with the exceptions of dietary fiber (53% of the recommended level) and calcium (84% of the recommended level). Macronutrient distribution of energy was 17% from protein, 47% from carbohydrate, and 36% from fat. Although saturated fat consumption was not more than 10% of energy, cholesterol consumption was well above the 300 mg/d presently recommended. For all pilots, blood parameter values were in the normal range. Overall, the diet of Israeli pilots was found to be well balanced, but negative dietary patterns (i.e., high cholesterol intake and low fiber intake) characteristic of the general population were observed in this group.

Acute cerebellar vertigo in a fighter pilot.

Vertigo is a frequently encountered complaint among aviators. This complaint is usually labyrinthine in origin. We present a case of a combat jet fighter pilot who experienced a vertiginous episode during flight that nearly resulted in a mishap. Work-up revealed a dissecting aneurysm of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery. Coiling of the aneurysm was performed. This case emphasizes the importance of performing a complete vestibular evaluation in aviators with acute vertigo. Since central nervous system causes may be responsible for vertiginous events, and when undiagnosed may result in a recurrence during flight, magnetic resonance scanning should be considered in those with no obvious peripheral cause for their vertigo.