Optimal helmet use and adjustments with respect to neck load: The experience of military helicopter aircrew

Introduction: One solution to prevent flight-related neck pain in military helicopter pilots is to initiate ergonomic improvements in the equipment used by the pilots and loadmasters. The aim of the present study was to identify factors that may be important for optimizing helmet use and adjustments with respect to neck load among the helicopter crew of the Royal Netherlands Air Force. A second aim was to identify the factors contributing to an ideal flight helmet. Methods: We interviewed 12 pilots and 11 loadmasters using semi-structured interviews. The interviews were transcribed verbatim, and qualitative analyses were performed. Various factors as well as their interrelations and relation to experienced neck load emerged as the analysis progresses and were discussed by the research team. Results: Factors that were directly related to the experienced neck load were type of flight operations and tasks as well as the weight and the weight distribution of the flight helmet. Factors that indirectly contributed to the experienced neck load were the stability of the helmet, the helmet fit and comfort. Factors that contributed to an ideal flight helmet were categorized into task- and user-related factors. The latter category included factors to increase comfort and usability as well as a considerable number of the above-mentioned factors to optimize helmet use and adjustments with respect to neck load. Conclusion: Several factors related to helmet use and adjustments were found to contribute to the experienced neck load and were either directly or indirectly related. The next step should be to improve the helmet fit and the helmet stability taking the comfort issues into account, and to evaluate the effect of optimizing these factors on the experienced neck load. Relevance to industry: Neck pain in military helicopter aircrew is of growing concern to various militaries, especially because flight missions occur more frequently in the dark and the aircrew use night vision goggles. The results of this study provide useful information to the flight helmet industry because the neck load and factors such as weight, weight distribution, helmet stability, helmet fit and comfort issues are important considerations for helmet designs and requirements. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.