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.