Originally Posted by
AndoniP
Cognitive Impairment. Basically something the defence put forward as the reason for the crash that the prosecution couldn't disprove. Hadn't happened to him before though.
That is a rather cynical view, if I may say. Cognitive impairment is a well known condition (Look it up - Google will suffice) and the only wrinkle here is that of the context in which it is being used. Several contributors here seem strongly of the opinion that it doesn’t exist, is irrelevant. Consider it possible that you may be mistaken. The brain is intensely metabolically active, needing both oxygen and glucose, which arrive via various arteries. Any diminution in blood flow will have some effect - the problem is measuring the effect whilst manoeuvring in flight. But consider the combination of “low level” G, and abnormal head position as a consequence of opto kinetic cervical reflex (which is also now recognised as existing). It is well know that tilt or rotation of the head can cause impingement of various bits of cervical vertebrae on carotid or vertebral arteries. There is a clever Finnish study which demonstrated a 30% reduction in cerebral blood flow after manoeuvres at 5G in a Hawk, despite g-suits, straining. So it is quite feasible that some low level G, abnormal head position, a hot day, all conspire to produce a brain that is temporarily impaired. The phenomenon needs proper study, and not to be dismissed without consideration.
As for expert opinion - when I was a medical student, surgeons did all sorts of clever operations to reduce the acid secretion that led to ulcers. Now we know the ulcers are caused by an infection and treat it with antibiotics. All that expert opinion was just wrong.
Caramba