Aviat Space Envir Md
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The majority of aviation crashes and casualties take place in general and sport aviation. Although gliding has gained popularity in recent decades, we could find no systematic analysis of glider accidents. This study determined factors associated with both non-fatal and fatal glider accidents to document their position within sport and general aviation accidents, and to suggest preventive measures and improvements. ⋯ Factors contributing to glider crashes are specific to this type of sport aviation. Owners of home-built gliders should pay particular attention to the aircraft's specifications and design limits.
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Aviat Space Envir Md · Jan 2007
Can color vision defective subjects who pass the farnsworth lantern test recognize surface color codes?
The International Civil Aviation Organization requires that pilots be able to distinguish the colors used in air navigation and in particular be able to identify the colors of signal lights. Most national aviation authorities use a lantern test to assess the ability of applicants for a pilot's license who have abnormal color vision to recognize the colors of signal lights. However, color-coding is now widely used in aviation systems other than signal lights. Color is used in tarmac markings, maps, manuals, and electronic flight instrument displays. These color codes can use 10 or more colors, many more than the 3 to 5 used for signal lights. This study investigated whether people with defective color vision (DCV) who pass the Farnsworth lantern test can recognize the main colors used for surface color codes. ⋯ Those who pass the Farnsworth lantern test can recognize the colors of a 10-color surface color code with few or no errors. This is because the small (2.9-min arc) stimulus of the lantern test presents a more difficult task than the larger surface colors.