Simulation of vestibular flight illusions on the ground

Objective To promote the pilot's experience on vestibular flight illusions under simulated flying environment and to investigate the illusion induced rate and the result of vestibular illusion simulation on the ground.Methods Forty-six pilots experienced vestibular flight illusions by the simulator that was according to the mechanism of generating vestibular flight illusions.The orientation feeling,feedback of personal state,response of autonomic nervous system and the evaluation of training effect were recorded.Results The total vestibular illusion induced rate was 91.7％.The induced rate of absence of rotation illusion,opposite-rotation illusion,Coriolis illusion,somatogravic illusion,G-excess illusion and nystagmus effect was respectively 100.0％,100.0％,91.7％,78.6％,94.4％ and 100.0％.All pilots reported experienced vestibular flight illusions.In the analysis of assessing induced acute motion sickness only 4 person-times showed transient reflex at MⅡ level,and no reflex more severe than M Ⅲ or MS level was observed.Pilots assessed such experience was helpful in knowing illusions and preventing spatial disorientation accidents.Conclusion The flight illusion simulator can effectively keep pilots experiencing flight vestibular illusions upon high induced rate,proper stimulation and notable effects. Key words: Vestibule; Illusions; Confusion; Space perception; Spatial disorientation; Simulator