Page 19 - Oct24T

Lights Out
G-Induced loss of Consciousness
by Mindy Lindheim
G-LOC, or G-induced loss of consciousness, is a very interesting experience. It happens when the body is under G-forces and loses consciousness because the blood pulls away from the brain down to the feet and is unable to supply oxygenated blood to the nervous system. Once the G-force is removed, the period of unconsciousness is short, but the whole encounter (for a likely unwilling participant) can feel like a lifetime.
I have experienced the initial symptoms of G-LOC on a few occasions during flights in various Extra Aircraft, which are high- performance aircraft designed for aerobatics. I accomplished my aircraft checkout in the Extra 300 with some aerobatic training that was very mild, but I also flew with a friend who happens to be Red Bull Air Force and top airshow pilot, Kevin Coleman. This was my first introduction to high G-load maneuvers in an aircraft, and luckily, Kevin was a great coach who walked me through how to combat Gs and get through his aerobatic flight successfully.