Integrative Physiology-Coupled Pilot-Centered Flight Simulation

Maintaining the pilot’s physiological performance envelope within the limits of human capabilities may be crucial for avoiding hazardous physiological episodes in fighter aircraft that compromise safety. The main physiological episode of interest is impaired pilot respiration, better known as hypoxia caused by a high fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) at high altitudes and variation in accelerative gravitational forces (g-forces). Integrated into fighter aircraft is an Onboard Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS) developed to mitigate the necessity of gaseous and liquid oxygen cannisters [1]. OBOGS act as a life support in hypoxic environments by providing oxygen-rich air, thereby oxygenating the bloodstream [2] [3]. In theory, this prevents conditions such as hypoxia and decompression sickness. However, unexplained physiological episodes have still occurred despite pilot training and safety checklists [4]. This research focuses on coupling FlightGear and Pulse Physiology Engine (Pulse) simulations to recreate and understand hypoxic events related to a combination of high g-forces and high FiO2. Pulse is an integrative human physiology simulator that simulates conditions during disease, trauma, and treatment [5]. FlightGear is an open-source flight simulator with a variety of aircraft flown in dynamic flight environments [6]. Global data is shared between Pulse and FlightGear by creating interdependency between the two applications known as coupling. The internet protocol, Transmission Communication Protocol (TCP), used for coupling, allows data transmission from FlightGear in the form of packets that can be received by Pulse during communication. By coupling interactive simulations based on FlightGear and Pulse, hypoxia was recreated from two scenarios: simulated accelerative atelectasis, achieved by using high g-forces output from FlightGear with a modified Pulse tension pneumothorax scenario, and the combination of high gforces and high FiO2, based on a prototype OBOGS simulation. Each scenario resulted in ...