Effect of flight helmet mass characteristics and neck stress postures on pilot neck impact injury

Pilots’ ability is significantly improved by using night vision goggles and other equipment built on the flight helmets. Still, excessive helmet mass and centroid deviation caused by the integration of external equipment may increase the risk of neck injury of pilots during takeoff and landing. To reduce the risk of pilots’ neck injuries under impact load, it is urgent to study the law of related factors on pilot's neck injury and provide theoretical support for the design of flight helmets. This paper establishes a finite element model of the pilot-seat-restraint system, and the effects of helmet masses, helmet centroids, and neck stress postures on the pilot's neck injury are systematically studied. The function rules of these factors on the neck load are clarified. This research can provide an essential reference for designing and optimizing flying helmets.