Tyler CFET - Centrifuge Training - NAS Lemoore

Every student naval aviator must pass G-tolerance training in the centrifuge before even setting foot in a jet aircraft. The centrifuge in Lemoore, California is a controlled environment, unlike a jet aircraft in which a G-LOC (gravity induced loss of consciousness) most often results in a fatal mishap, or at least some sort of severe disorientation, dreams, amnesia, and at times convulsions upon recovery.

"Gz" are the apparent force of gravity which our bodies experience as we maneuver the aircraft in tight turns, rolls, loops, or combination thereof. Gz are experienced on a daily basis while flying a jet aircraft in air combat maneuvers (dogfighting), aerobatics, and even as we are making the tight turn or "break" for the landing approach. Simply put, the tighter the turn, or the faster the airspeed, the more Gz are required to "accelerate" the airplane around the turn; the pilot must become accustomed to doing this on a daily basis.

When pulling heavy Gz, the tendency is for blood to drain away from the pilot's head, which first is evident with a loss of vision, but further leads to "gray out," "black out," and then ultimately loss of consciousness, or G-Loc. In order to combat this effect, pilots wear anti-G suits on their lower bodies which provide about 1 G of protection when fully inflated. That protection, however, is rarely sufficient when at higher G-loads, so the pilot must do what's called the AGSM or Anti-G Straining Maneuver to add about 3 Gz more of protection. This maneuver involves squeezing all muscle from the toes to the abdomen in order to force blood into the upper body. Additionally, when a pilot adds the "hick maneuver" (breathing against a closed glottis) blood is forced further to the head so it can still provide oxygenated blood to the brain.




The evaluation takes less than 15 minutes and consists of 5 different profiles:

Profile 1 -- Steady increase in G-forces without G-suit inflation in order to determine one's "resting G-tolerance" which is usually around 3.5-4 Gz.

Profile 2 - Based on the Resting G Tolerance found in Profile one, the student pilot is exposed to +1 above his Resting G-Tolerance, this time with G-suit inflation. This profile lasts for 30 seconds (at 6 Gz for myself) but about half way through we stop doing the Anti-G breathing, and use just our lower muscles in our bodies to maintain the blood in our head. After about 20 seconds, we release all muscles until the "light start to come in" at which time we begin squeezing the blood back to the body.

Profile 3 -- Resting G-tolerance +2 Gz. In my case 5 Gz +2 Gz = 7 Gz for a period of 15 seconds.

Profile 4 -- A series of Air Combat Maneuvering (ACM) peaks and valleys, beginning with one 6 G peak, 3 G lull, 5 G peak, 3 G lull, and finally a 7.5 G peak for 12 seconds. The key here is not to tire yourself out using the full Anti-G Straining Maneuver unless absolutely necessary, but instead use just leg and abdominal muscles such as to "rest" before the higher peak Gz.

Profile 5 - "Check 6" - This profile simulates pulling Gz (as you would in a loop or tight turn) while looking for the "bogey" on your tail. The sensation of looking behind you can be extremely disorienting due to the spinning/tumbling effects which originate from the inner ear. It is a rapid acceleration to 7.5 Gz for 12 seconds.

Category:

Comedy

Tags:

• CFET
• Centrifuge
• Navy Flight School
• Flight School
• G-LOC
• Lemoore
• NAS Lemoore

[wrathchild509]

That looks soo fun. I hope I get to do that when I apply for the royal air force in two years time

[SilkEclipse]

@Cipry16 same.... its pathetic...

[Cipry16]

i think i'd pass out at 2 Gs.

[onecheman]

What matters the +Gs for "behind" when you turn you've +Gs UNDER... ?!

_________

Awesome vid. Well done guy of the vide ;) +10

[AntDX316]

Top gun is not just knowing where and when to turn, but the endurance of the physical effects placed during turning.

[Coffeeman19]

Wow, this is awesome! Amazing job, I'd G-LOC past 5 I'm sure. 

[Burt521]

Dang so what does it feel like? do you feel like your spining? and if so do you get nausiated