Human Centrifuge¶
AATC in collaboration with Military Institute of Aviation Medicine (WIML) in Warsaw, Poland is organizing a training course on the state-of-the-art military grade Human Centrifuge.
This centrifuge is the very same device used by F-16, F-35 and MIG-29 fighter pilots for g-load training. It is one of the most modern centrifuges in the world, built in 2014 and modernized in the summer of 2024 to accommodate the F-35 cockpit layout.
About Centrifuge¶
The Dynamic Flight Simulator (DFS), a crucial component of the Polish Human Training Centrifuge, offers numerous opportunities for operational, training, and diagnostic purposes. It facilitates intensive pilot training to ensure proper performance of anti-G maneuvers and familiarization of aircrews with the effects of high accelerations, including longitudinal time and push-pull phenomena. Additionally, the centrifuge provides a safe alternative to raise aircrew awareness of unwanted effects of accelerations, such as G-LOC (loss of consciousness) or spatial disorientation. Centrifugal training allows for the restoration and maintenance of optimal G-tolerance, even when performing tasks in the air is impossible or unnecessary. The costs of such training are significantly lower than the potential expenses associated with using modern combat aircraft, not to mention the value of human life.
The human centrifuge is dedicated to surveying and training candidates for military pilots and pilots flying highly maneuverable aircraft, such as combat, acrobatic, and sport planes, as well as for experimental technical tests. The interchangeable parts of the centrifuge gondola enable the functional projection of cockpit equipment from the Polish Air Force's basic multi-purpose aircraft, such as the F-16 Block 52+, F-35 and MiG-29.
Technical Parameters¶
- Main arm length: 8 m,
- Gondola payload: 250 kg and 350 kg in the experimental configuration,
- Cross section point (3 axes): head level,
- Gz acceleration range from -3 G to +16 G,
- Gy acceleration range from -6 G to +6 G,
- Gx acceleration range from -10 G to +10 G,
- Roll and pitch angle: ±360°,
- Maximum roll and pitch angular acceleration: 8 rad/s2.
The gondola of the centrifuge is mounted on an eight-meter-long arm and enables Z-axis accelerations in the range from –3G to +16G, with a maximal gradient of accelerations increasing to 14.5 G/s. Additionally, the gyroscopic suspension of the gondola allows for X-axis and Y-axis accelerations in the range of ±10G and ±6G, respectively.
Medical Monitoring System¶
Based on digital PCM transmission technology and using state-of-the art sensor and amplifier technology, typical biomedical parameters can be measured and recorded:
- ECG,
- ENG,
- EMG,
- heart rate,
- auricular pulse,
- body temperature,
- blood pressure (NIBP),
- oxygen saturation,
- breathing frequency,
- breathing volume,
- possible to measure and record: EEG, etc.
Training Programs¶
- Microgravity Training
- Dynamic Flight Simulation
- Spacesuit training in High-G
- 3x3x3 Acceleration Profile
- 5.7Gz+ Linear Profile (Air Force Academy candidate certification)
- 9Gz+ for 15 sec with Rapid Onset Profile (F-16 pilot certification)
- Customized Training Programs
For anyone who just wants to experience high-G forces for the first time, we recommend the 3x3x3 Acceleration Profile and Microgravity Training. You can also combine multiple programs into a single training session.
9Gz+ for 15 sec with Rapid Onset Profile is available only to experienced students with valid JAR-FCL class 1 medical certificate after passing additional medical examination by WIML aviation medicine specialists.
Microgravity Training¶
The centrifuge at Military Institute of Aviation Medicine (WIML) is one of the very few centrifuges in the world capable of simulating microgravity conditions. By precisely controlling the centrifuge's rotation and adjusting the position of the gondola, it is possible to create a state of weightlessness for the participant. This is achieved by counteracting the effects of gravity through centrifugal force.
Spacesuit training in High-G¶
AATC has developed a unique training program that combines the experience of high-G centrifuge with spacesuit operations. This program is designed to prepare astronauts and space enthusiasts for the physical demands of space missions while wearing a spacesuit. Participants will undergo a series of training sessions in the centrifuge while donning a spacesuit, simulating the conditions they may encounter during spaceflight. The training will focus on building endurance, improving cardiovascular fitness, and enhancing overall physical performance in a spacesuit environment.
Soyuz Launch Profile¶
The Soyuz Launch Profile is a specialized training program designed to simulate the unique acceleration forces experienced during the launch of a Soyuz spacecraft. This profile replicates the specific G-forces and acceleration patterns encountered by astronauts during the ascent phase of a Soyuz launch. The training helps astronauts prepare for the physical demands of spaceflight and ensures they are familiar with the sensations associated with Soyuz launches.
This profile is unique, because it simulates Gx forces (forward-backward) instead of the more common Gz forces (head-to-foot) as in typical fighter pilot centrifuge training. There are only three centrifuges in the world capable of simulating Gx forces and WIML's centrifuge is one of them.
Dynamic Flight Simulator¶
The Dynamic Flight Simulator program is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the effects of high-G forces on the human body. The training includes a series of centrifuge sessions that simulate the conditions experienced by fighter pilots during high-speed maneuvers. Participants will learn about the physiological responses to high-G forces, including the effects on vision, cardiovascular function, and overall performance. The program also covers techniques for managing G-forces, such as proper breathing and muscle tensing, to enhance G-tolerance and prevent G-LOC (G-induced Loss of Consciousness).
In this program you will be controlling the centrifuge and accelerations yourself. You can practice push-pull maneuvers, turns, and other high-G scenarios typically experienced by fighter pilots.
3x3x3 Acceleration Profile¶
The 3x3x3 Acceleration Profile is a standardized training protocol used in human centrifuge training to help individuals adapt to high-G forces. The training consist of three phases:
- Gradual increase: 1.4Gz+ -> 3Gz+ with slow onset rate,
- Step program: 1.4Gz+ -> 2Gz+ -> 3Gz+ with 1Gz+ increments,
- Rapid onset: 1.4Gz+ -> 3Gz+ with fast onset rate.
Each profile start with 1.4Gz+ baseline acceleration to simulate the initial conditions experienced during flight. The acceleration is then gradually increased to 3Gz+ over a specified period, allowing the trainee to acclimate to the increasing G-forces.
5.7Gz+ Linear Profile (Air Force Academy candidate certification)¶
5.7Gz+ Linear Profile is a standard Polish Air Force Academy candidate test used to evaluate the G-tolerance of aspiring pilots. The profile involves a linear increase in G-forces from a baseline of 1.4Gz+ to a maximum of 5.7Gz+. The acceleration is increased at a constant rate, allowing the candidate to experience the effects of high-G forces in a controlled environment.
9Gz+ for 15 sec with Rapid Onset Profile (F-16 pilot certification)¶
The 9Gz+ for 15 seconds with Rapid Onset Profile is a specialized training protocol designed for F-16 pilots to refresh their G-tolerance and enhance their ability to handle high-G maneuvers. The profile involves a rapid increase in G-forces from a baseline of 1.4Gz+ to a maximum of 9Gz+.
The acceleration is increased at a fast onset rate, simulating the conditions experienced during high-speed aerial maneuvers. This training helps pilots maintain their G-tolerance and ensures they are prepared for the physical demands of flying high-performance aircraft.
-
Cost of this program is significantly higher than the standard Dynamic Flight Simulation due to increased complexity and duration of the training.
-
This program is available only to candidates a valid JAR-FCL class 1 medical certificate after passing additional medical examination by WIML aviation medicine specialists.
Customized Training Programs¶
If you have specific training needs or goals, we can work with you to develop a customized training program that meets your requirements. Whether you want to focus on specific G-force profiles, practice certain maneuvers, or combine centrifuge training with other activities, we can tailor a program to suit your needs.
This is ideal for scientific researches, or for students working on BSc/MSc/PhD theses related to human physiology, aerospace medicine, or related fields.
Past Trainings¶
2026 January¶
2024 April¶
2024 January¶
2022 November¶
2019 August¶
Training Dates¶
There are no fixed dates for centrifuge training. We arrange dates depending on your availability and the centrifuge's schedule.
Requirements¶
Before you sit in the cockpit of a centrifuge, we need to submit a formal request to the Polish Military Counterintelligence Agency to perform a background check on you and to issue a security clearance. For that, we will need:
- a scan (or photo) of the personal information page from your passport,
- name of your father (firstname, middlename, lastname),
- full payment (we do not initiate the procedure without upfront payment.).
Background check process takes at 30 days and cannot be expedited. Please plan your itinerary accordingly.
Certificate¶
Each participant will receive a certificate of completion after finishing the training program.
Accompanying Person¶
If you would like to bring an accompanying person (friend, family member, partner) to support you during the training, please let us know in advance. If they are not Polish citizens, we will also need to submit a request for a security background check for them as well.
Each flying participant is allowed to bring one accompanying person free of charge. Additional accompanying persons will incur a fee.
Photography and Videography¶
You are welcome to take photos and videos during your training session. You can photograph the centrifuge, control deck, the cockpit, and yourself in the gondola. You can publish and share these photos and videos as you wish.
After your training, we will also provide you with video footage recorded from inside the gondola during your session. Upon request, we can also share photos taken by our staff during your training.
Biomedical Data¶
During the training, various biomedical parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and others will be monitored and recorded. If you wish to receive a copy of your biomedical data after the training, please inform us in advance.
Application¶
Please contact us at info@astronaut.center
Payment¶
Payment for human centrifuge training differs from our other programs. We need to submit a formal request to the Polish Military Counterintelligence Agency to conduct a background check and issue a security clearance. To initiate this process, we require a scan or photo of the personal information page from your passport. The background check takes 30 days, and it is not possible to expedite the procedure. We do not commence the process without upfront payment. Additionally, once the background check process begins, we cannot offer a refund.
If you need more information, email us at info@astronaut.center
Refunds and Cancellations¶
Due to the nature of the human centrifuge training and the requirements for background checks and security clearances, we have a strict no-refund policy once the background check process has commenced.
If the training is postponed by AATC or WIML for any reason, you will be offered an alternative date for your training. This date can be scheduled at your convenience, after the acceptance of the new date by each party.