Sounds like that centrifuge test ought to be standard on all fast jet set-ups pronto !
G-suits seem to be having a bad press lately - I do seem to recall that in the aft cockpits of Harrier T2/4 etc there was a bit of a worry about control restriction of the column laterally, though that may have been a certain small batch of aircraft.
I spent a lot of time clambering about in various Hawk cockpits, which always seemed quite roomy - but when I came to get a ride ( aft cockpit, with G-suit ) I was surprised how cramped it suddenly was - I was 5'9 10.5 stone at the time.
We only pulled up to 4.5 G - I never felt like blacking out or anything ( but then I wasn't driving ) but the suit was bloody uncomfortable across the midfriff !
Of course the various super-duper jets are getting their own G-suits, which may well alleviate the problem for those aircraft at least.
With respect to current Western fighters, how much time is REALLY spent at very high G ? - And I do know about the acclimitisation John Farley mentioned earlier being so important.
I would guess the current suits are not so popular right now, thing is they're just such a good pose to resist !
Last edited by Double Zero; 22nd February 2008 at 01:05.