![]() Sadly, these suits must fit the wearers snugly, and there were none that I could borrow.įail my life. This added pressure helps to counteract the effects of G. The pilots can also don anti-G suits, which have "air bladders" that inflate when necessary to squeeze the lower limbs. Unfortunately, this usually takes a few sessions to learn, and couldn't be imparted in five minutes. To counter this, pilots use the Anti-G Straining Manoeuvre, taking short breaths and tensing their muscles to force the blood back from the lower limbs into the brain, explained Major (MAJ) (Dr) Jason Low, Head Crew Safety and Flight Environment Branch. G-LOC, or gravitational force-induced loss of consciousness, is what happens when insufficient oxygen reaches the brain because high G-forces cause blood to rush to the legs. And not just because I was feeling anxious. There was a very real chance that I would pass out. I was cleared to go up to 6Gs, but one of the officers told me it was likely I would only be able to tolerate up to 4Gs. In comparison, a person experiences 1G on the ground, and a rollercoaster typically generates 2 to 3Gs.Īll RSAF fighter pilots have to return to the Aeromedical Centre annually for refresher training on the HTC. Most advanced fighter jets can pull a maximum of 9Gs. The hatch was closed, and I could hear a low hum as the HTC started up. Securely strapped into the seat of the cockpit, I was unable to escape. Now, staring down at the intimidating machine, which can spin the gondola - a cockpit replica in which the victim, or trainee, sits - up to 9Gs in less than two seconds, I regretted being kay kiang (Hokkien for smart alecky). Its star attraction, the HTC, generates gravitational forces (G-forces) that RSAF fighter pilots and weapons systems officers endure when executing air combat manoeuvres at extreme speeds and altitudes.īeing the thrill-seeker type, I had volunteered for the task when a colleague suggested it. That was about a week ago at my Fitness For Instruction medical review to try out the pilot training facilities at the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Aeromedical Centre. ![]() "Only when I see Benedict Cumberbatch or Tom Hiddleston."
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