- Flicker vertigo
Flicker vertigo is "an imbalance in brain-cell activity caused by exposure to low-frequency flickering (or flashing) of a relatively bright light" [ [http://www.flightsafety.org/members/serveme.cfm?path=hf/hf_mar-apr04.pdf (online article requires logon)] Clarence E Rash: Awareness of Causes and Symptoms of Flicker Vertigo Can Limit Ill Effects: Human Factors and Aviation Medicine: Vol 51: Number 2: Mar-Apr 2004: Flight Safety Foundation ]
Flicker vertigo is a phenomenon that is more often observed during
helicopter flight, but it can occur in fixed wing flight whenever flickering light conditions exist. Flicker vertigo in the helicopter occurs when the pilot or front passenger looks up through the blades of the main rotor as it turns in thesun causing thelight tostrobe . Thestrobe light effect causes persons who are vulnerable to flicker vertigo to become disoriented, lose control of the aircraft or have aseizure .According to The US Naval Flight Surgeons Manual, flicker vertigo is a rare occurrence [ [http://www.narcap.org/PerceptualDisorders.htm National Aviation Reporting Center on Anomalous Phenomena] United States Naval Flight Surgeon's Manual: Third Edition 1991: Chapter 9: Ophthalmology:Perceptual Disorders; Naval Aerospace Medical Institute] .
Notes
See also
*
Air safety
*National Transportation Safety Board External links
* [http://www.flightsafety.org/home.html Flight Safety Foundation]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
