enginehistory.org

[gryan]

A while ago I was informed of an experiment undertaken by the USA (Navy?). An aircraft was set up with the pilot in a reclined position (NOT prone, as would be the case for a hang glider). The pilot was fully reclined and had his field of vision enhanced with mirrors and a periscope. A series of flights was made. This program probably occurred during the 1950s or 1960s as an experiment to seek better pilot resistance against the effects of high-G manoeuvres.

This reclined pilot aircraft was mentioned in a book written by a test pilot (possibly Roland Beamont). I recall the book to have been about each of the aircraft flown by the test pilot during his career- including captured aircraft during WW2. He did not fly the reclined position aircraft but mentioned it in a section about a prone pilot aircraft.

I would like to know the name, type and manufacturer of the aircraft. Also, does anyone know what the results of the tests were or where I could locate information?

Thanks for your assistance.

Gerald Ryan


Note: I have been searching for this information for some time and lost track of whether I posted it here previously or not. Apologies if I had.