An instrumentation solution for reducing spatial disorientation mishaps

This article explores some of the engineering approaches to dealing with spatial disorientation (SD) and their drawbacks, looks at nature´s approach to spatial orientation, and then presents the Tactical Situation Awareness System (TSAS) as a solution to the SD problem (note: TSAS is a trademark for the service and product of the Naval Aerospace Biomedical Research Laboratory, Pensacola, Florida). The TSAS is an array of tactile stimulators arranged in columns and rows on a garment that a pilot wears on the torso and limbs. This array provides intuitive orientation information to aircrew and operators of remote platforms and is more compatible with a pilot´s natural sensory system