Blog post from our Kinetic Care Group DPT Chad Rieckenberg: Do fighter pilots really live in the danger zone?
Do fighter pilots really live in the danger zone?
To answer this question we have to look at the research. A study by Pamplona et al in 2020 reviewed a risk analysis regarding military aviation based on the estimated average hours each plane flies per year.
The statistical analysis identified 3 aircrafts that have a probability of greater than 20% of one fatality occurring. These aircrafts include A-10, F-15, and F-16. These aircrafts have a high probability of incident, accident, and/or fatality due to the nature of their missions. However, three other aircrafts the C-130, C-135 and T-38 also have a higher probability of incident or accident occurring.
So to answer the question, yes fighter pilots live in the danger zone due to the fact that they push the extremes of aeronautics.
Constant air craft maintenance, repeated structural checks, repeated preflight checks, and accurate flight logs can help to reduce mechanical risk. Physical flight conditioning, repeated +Gz exposure, aerobic training, specific strength training, and practicing Gz straining maneuvers can all reduce physiologic risks.
Chad Rieckenberg
Chad Rieckenberg PT, DPT is a board certified physical therapist with a doctorate in physical therapy from UCSF/CSU Fresno and is currently the senior Doctor of Physical Therapy at Bacci and Glinn Physical Therapy Hanford.
References
Pamplona et al (2020), Does a fighter pilot live in the danger zone? A risk assessment applied to military aviation, Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives, Volume 5, 100114