UTILIZATION OF VISUAL PORTS IN U.S. ARMY ROTARY-WING AIRCRAFT

A study was conducted to document the location and extent of visual ports (windows) in U.S. Army rotary-wing aircraft and asses the utilization and associated problems with their use as reported by Army aviators and aircrew. First, the visual ports of each aircraft type were documented using a 360-degree photographic technique. Second, questionnaire data for 334 aviators and crewmembers addressing the use of and problems with each visual port were collected and analyzed. Third, a search of the U.S. Army Safety Center accident database was conducted to identify the frequency of accidents in which impaired vision was a possible factor.