PILOT STUDIES

Summary from: "Contrast sensitivity, drivers' visibility, and vision standards." (In references, see: Ginsburg AP. Contrast sensitivity, drivers' visibility, and vision standards.)

Ground-To- Air Field Conditions Study Significant research on the predictive capabilities of contrast sensitivity with regard to actual performance has been accomplished with pilots. One such study was done in 1983 under field conditions (in references, see: Ginsburg AP, et al. Contrast sensitivity predicts target detection field performance of pilots). The acuity and contrast sensitivity of eighty-four pilots was tested in this study. Aircraft detection testing using a T-39 was performed the day after vision evaluation. Aircraft altitude, speed, and azimuth were maintained at constant values in order to reduce differences between trials. This ground-to-air target detection task was completed under diverse visibility conditions, including fog and dusk, ranging from 0.5 to more than 15 mi. Visual acuity and contrast sensitivity measurements were taken and correlated to the pilot's detection range in 10 completed field trials.

The pilots sat side by side in chairs perpendicular to the flight path of the aircraft. They were visually isolated from each other by partitions placed between each chair; the pilots wore ear protectors to block out distracting noise.

There was a significant positive correlation between the pilot's detection range and contrast sensitivity in 8 of the 10 field trials of this study. Of the 10 trials performed, 3 showed correlation for acuity, 2 positive and 1 negative. Because of bad weather that curtailed data gathering, one of the trials had no correlation with either contrast sensitivity or acuity. The average differences for all conditions in detection range and time between the most and least sensitive pilots were 2.2 miles and 56 sec.

These individual differences are significant factors, not only to the ability of pilots to fly an aircraft but also to drivers of automobiles, trucks, and heavy equipment, and others who perform visually oriented tasks. Here again, contrast sensitivity correlated with these large differences in detection range, not acuity.

Similar results were seen in the trial with meteorological visibility of 15 miles. The differences in detectability between the most and least sensitive pilots were 6.5 miles and 2.8 min. In this instance, the corresponding Snellen results ranged from 20/10 to 20/20, but their contrast sensitivity differed by a factor of 3.4. Data from another trial included a visibility factor of 1 to 2 miles, and a 0.42 miles (9.2 sec) difference in detection range between the two pilots. The corresponding Snellen acuity ranging from 20/13 to 20/20 and a factor of 3.7 difference between the two pilots' contrast sensitivity. (In references, see: Ginsburg AP, et al. Contrast sensitivity predicts target detection field performance of pilots. Also see Ginsburg AP. Contrast sensitivity, drivers' visibility, and vision standards).

Summary from: Contrast sensitivity, drivers' visibility, and vision standards. (In references, see: Ginsburg AP. Contrast sensitivity, drivers' visibility, and vision standards.)

Air-To-Ground Target Detection Study In another study using Air Force instructor pilots, a set of simulated landings focusing on air-to-ground target detection was performed at Williams AFB (in references, see: Ginsburg AP, et al. Contrast sensitivity predicts pilots' performance in aircraft simulators.) . On spotting a MIG aircraft at the end of the runway, eleven Air Force instructor pilots each pressed a button. Comparisons were made of the detection range and visual ability, including contrast sensitivity and standard visual acuity measures. Contrast sensitivity was found to be the most accurate predictor of the pilots' detection range in these trials as well. The correlation between target detection and contrast sensitivity of the pilots was 0.83; for visual acuity the correlation was -0.31. (In references, see: Ginsburg AP, et al. Contrast sensitivity predicts pilots' performance in aircraft simulators. Also see Ginsburg AP. Contrast sensitivity, drivers' visibility, and vision standards)

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