» RELATED: Fake veterans charity collected millions in donations from Ohioans
The centrifuge became fully operational on May 30. Air Force students will begin training with the centrifuge on Oct. 1 and the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine will provide acceleration training for all Air Force fast-jet aviators in the centrifuge, according to Wright-Patt.
All three projects were built at Wright-Patt to consolidate aeromedical research for the Air Force and Navy in one place. The consolidation followed the 2005 base closure process, which moved operations to the Ohio base from San Antonio, Texas and Pensacola, Fla.
Around 1,200 Air Force pilots per year will train in the centrifuge, according to the base. The $34.4 million centrifuge will test the limits of thousands of military pilots over the next several decades.
» RELATED: Members of U.S. military to get biggest pay raise in 9 years
Students will be able to experience up to “9 Gs” or nine times the normal force of gravity in the centrifuge. The centrifuge will be used to teach students about the effects of G-forces on human physiology an.
They will also have the chance to measure a person’s ability to counteract the effects and prevent “G-induced loss of consciousness,” according to Wright-Patt.
The centrifuge, four new research altitude chambers and a recently commissioned Navy disorientation research device – all within walking distance — are part of a $92 million array of projects authorities say will designate Wright-Patterson as the hub for research in aerospace physiology.
FIVE FAST READS
• New furniture store to open location at two Dayton-area malls
• Wright State president not given raise, bonus due to budget issues
• Good Samaritan Hospital officially closes down for good
• State suing Dayton company for ‘shoddy work
• Algae plaguing Ohio lakes could force Kasich to take executive action
THANKS FOR READING
The Dayton Daily News is committed to bringing you independent, in-depth local stories. Help support our journalism by signing up for a print or digital subscription.
About the Author