Braithwaite M G, Beal K G, Alvarez E A, Jones H D, Estrada A
U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory, Fort Rucker, AL, USA.
Aviat Space Environ Med. 1998 Dec;69(12):1166-73.
The optokinetic cervico reflex (OKCR) is a recently hypothesized, visually driven reflex that serves to stabilize the image of the external horizon on the retina during roll maneuvers in high-performance aircraft. Although reported anecdotally, head tilt during helicopter flight has not been studied formally. Such research is required to determine the full impact and significance that it may have on the flying performance of a rotary-wing aviator.
The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between horizon position and the perception of orientation and, thus, to generate vital information to assess whether OKCR plays an important role in spatial disorientation.
Pilots of rotary-wing aircraft will exhibit the OKCR.
A UH-60 flight simulator study, with 20 volunteer pilots participating, was performed to examine the effects of this reflex during day flight and during flight with night vision goggles (NVGs).
The results confirm that the OKCR occurs during simulated helicopter flight, both with and without NVGs. As with previous studies, head roll increased during flight under visual meteorological conditions in relation to an increasing aircraft roll angle up to a maximum sustainable level and then remained constant. Head roll did not occur during flight under instrument meteorological conditions.
The presence of the OKCR will impact rotary-wing operations. Various aspects are discussed, and recommendations are made for future research.
视动颈反射（OKCR）是最近提出的一种由视觉驱动的反射，在高性能飞机进行滚转机动时，可使视网膜上的外部地平线图像保持稳定。尽管直升机飞行时头部倾斜已有轶事报道，但尚未进行正式研究。需要开展此类研究以确定其对旋翼机飞行员飞行性能可能产生的全面影响和重要意义。
本研究旨在调查地平线位置与方向感知之间的关系，从而获取重要信息以评估视动颈反射在空间定向障碍中是否发挥重要作用。
旋翼机飞行员会表现出视动颈反射。
进行了一项UH - 60飞行模拟器研究，20名志愿者飞行员参与其中，以检查该反射在白天飞行以及佩戴夜视镜（NVG）飞行时的效果。
结果证实，无论是否佩戴夜视镜，视动颈反射在模拟直升机飞行过程中都会出现。与之前的研究一样，在目视气象条件下飞行时，随着飞机滚转角增加，头部滚动也增加，直至达到最大可持续水平，然后保持不变。在仪表气象条件下飞行时未出现头部滚动。
视动颈反射的存在将影响旋翼机操作。讨论了各个方面，并对未来研究提出了建议。
