What makes a person suitable to withstand G forces?

Question

I see videos of people riding in the back of F/A-18's and they cannot breathe or stay awake, while the xperienced pilot is talking easily. Does it take practice, or is it just whether or not you can do it. What types of things can i do to simulate g forces. Will hangin upside down do anything? I am very interested in this and hope to be a fighter pilot. I am in good very good shape and can hold my breath for a bout 2 minutes underwater...will any of this help?

Answer 1

There are three basic ways for a crew to endure sustained G:
1- Straining (more on this below)
2- Weight Training
3- "G-suit" of which the latest version is "Combat Edge"
Straining: G-induced loss of consciousness "GLOC" is caused by the heart not being able to keep blood pressure to the brain. What one can do is grunt/strain (the best no kiddin' example I can give you-and one that is used in training is straining on the toilet). This raises your BP fast. The downside is, you've got to anticipate the G-loading. With high-G onset aircraft: F15/16/Typhoon/Mig29/Su27 et al, that's not always possible.
Weight training: Weight training helps the muscles keep blood in the upper body. It also assists in straining above. It was really not until the F16 came online that it was really noticed that the larger guys handled G easier than the thin-runner types. Now crews have a regular strength-training program.
G-Suit: have been around since the end of WW2. The old "fast pants" were basically a tight fitting corset with bladders at various points.; As G is pulled the bladders inflate, keeping your blood supply from draining away to your legs. In my day (ca 1984-1994), they were good for about 2Gs. In other words if I was pulling 6, it really "felt" like 4. The latest "Combat Edge" is a newer system that really assists crews with sustained G. We'll have to let guys with experience of that system tell us exactly what the G-reduction is.
Yes, in answer to your specific question, practice and experience do make a difference. Your overall fitness level (see weight training above) also helps. It's really not that big a deal at your point in your future career. Actually, being able to handle airsickness is more of a aerospace physiology concern. As routinely getting airsick (usually due to high positive, then negative G's, as well as visual cue issues) can get you grounded, or at least out of "high performance" aircraft.
The best things you can do to prepare are:
A: avoid drugs, alcohol abuse, smoking. You need to be in shape. As a corollary, avoiding any serious trouble with the law is also a must.
B: Need to get a Bachelor's from an accredited institution. A service academy is certainly a possibility, but the vast majority of officers of all services come via ROTC
C: Need to apply for, and be accepted to pilot/nav training. The single biggest determiner for "rated potential" is-a private pilot's license. You also must do well on the written test, and pass the flight physical. The flight physical is where most folks crash and burn.
D; To ensure a fighter, you've be at or close to, the top of your class. This ensures you get your choice of weapon system. Another option, is to be accepted to "Euro Nato Joint Jet Pilot Training" ENJJPT. If you survive, washout rate's about 50%, you are guaranteed a fighter.
E: Read up on aviation, and especially military aviation. You might also think about pursuing an instrument rating, after you get your PPL.

Answer 2

You best bet to simulate anywhere near that many g's is to ride a roller coster, thats about as close as you are going to get without actually getting in the plane (unless of course you ride in one of those simulators they have at space camps). Withstanding them has alot to do with your physical fitness and strength. Many pilots work out and weight train regularly to maintain a muscular figure to help their body withstand the forces acting on it.

Answer 3

a strong stomach!