THE DESENSITIZATION OF CHRONICALLY MOTION SICK AIRCREW IN THE ROYAL-AIR-FORCE

The RAF Motion Sickness Desensitisation Programme has been in operation since 1966 and to January 1984 151 aircrew have been treated. The programme consists of a ground phase of treatment and a flying phase. Since January 1981 both phases have been located at Farnborough. Additional motion stimuli have been incorporated into the ground phase. The flying phase, which was previously carried out in a basic jet trainer, is now carried out in a high performance aircraft, the Hunter T7. Comparison of the results of follow-up for the period 1981-83 with those for 1974-80 indicates an improvement in overall success rate and shows a significant increase in the number that progress to fly in the demanding motion environment of fast jets.