Effect of the Kalogon AF Prototype Smart Cushion on B52 Pilot Fatigue and Comfort Study
Phase: NA
Conditions: B52 Pilot Fatigue and Comfort
Sponsor: Kalogon

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Protocol 605.019 
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EC SERVICE, INC. PROTOCOL 605.019 
EC Service, Inc. 915 South Frontage Road, Centerville, UT 84014 
 
 
Protocol No.: 605.019  
 
 
 
 
 
Revision No. 3 
TITLE:  Effect of the Kalogon AF Prototype Smart Cushion on B52 Pilot Fatigue and 
Comfort 
 
 
Date: 31 August 2023 
 
 
 
 
Supersedes: 22 August 2023 
 
 
Approvals: 
 
 
Author: ___ ________________________ Date: ______________________ 
 
 
Technician: ________________________ Date: ______________________ 
 
 
QA: ______________________________ Date: _______________________ 
 
Revision History 
Rev # 
Date 
Description 
0 
15 August 2023 
New 
1 
18 August 2023 
Remove all references to vibration. 
2 
22 August 2023 
Removed exclusion criteria of > 170 lbs.; added 
Appendix III with the height/weight requirements 
for the Air Force and included the source in the 
references section (3.8). Changed all references of 
“test rig” to “test seat”. 
3 
31 August 2023 
Changed cushion name, removed V2.0 
 
 
1. PURPOSE: 
1.1. This study is designed to demonstrate that the AF Prototype Cushion (AF Proto) 
can reduce seating fatigue and improve human performance in aircraft seating. 
 
2. SCOPE:   
2.1. For testing of the AF Proto and its ability to increase comfort in a pilot’s seat in a 
B52 bomber, by combating seating fatigue and improving human performance 
for flights up to 12 hours in duration.  
 
3. REFERENCES: 
 
3.1. ISO Guide to Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement 
3.2. EC Service SOP 807.001 Human Subject Research 

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3.3. Arsintescu, L., Kato, K. H., Cravalho, P. F., Feick, N. H., Stone, L. S., & Flynn-
Evans, E. E. (2019). Validation of a touchscreen psychomotor vigilance 
task. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 126, 173-176. 
3.4. Shen, W., & Parsons, K. C. (1997). Validity and reliability of rating scales for 
seated pressure discomfort. International journal of industrial ergonomics, 20(6), 
441-461. 
3.5. Vanacore, A., Lanzotti, A., Percuoco, C., Capasso, A., & Vitolo, B. (2019). 
Design and analysis of comparative experiments to assess the (dis-) comfort of 
aircraft seating. Applied ergonomics, 76, 155-163. 
3.6. FAA Medications List. 
https://www.faa.gov/ame_guide/media/DNI_DNF_tables.pdf 
3.7. Air Force Medical Disqualifications. 
https://www.academyadmissions.com/requirements/medical/disqualifications/ 
3.8. Air Force Weight Requirements. https://www.military.com/military-fitness/air-
force-fitness-requirements/air-force-height-and-weight-charts 
 
4. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: 
4.1. Subjects 
4.1.1. This study will be conducted with 22 healthy subjects.  
4.1.2. Inclusion criteria for healthy subjects: 
4.1.2.1.  Signed informed consent 
4.1.2.2.  18 – 35 years old 
4.1.2.3.  Ambulatory 
4.1.2.4.  Able to sit for up to 12 hours with minimal breaks 
4.1.2.5.  Able to follow instructions in English 
4.1.3. Exclusion criteria: 
4.1.3.1.  Weight < 91 lbs. and > 250 lbs. 
4.1.3.1.1. Priority will be given to those who are within the ranges found 
in Appendix III. 
4.1.3.2.  Pregnant 
4.1.3.3.  Travel across time zones in the last 7 days 
4.1.3.4.  Chronic pain 
4.1.3.5.  Taking any of the medications not allowed by the FAA including: 
4.1.3.5.1. Opiates 
4.1.3.5.2. Muscle relaxants 
4.1.3.5.3. Anticholinergics 
4.1.3.5.4. Sedating antihistamines 
4.1.3.5.5. Anti-psychotics 
4.1.3.6.Any of the following conditions: 
4.1.3.6.1. Asthma or other bronchospasm diagnoses 
4.1.3.6.2. Abnormalities of the heart valves, major vessels, heart rate or 
rhythm, any condition leading to poor circulation, increased risk 
of blood clots 
4.1.3.6.3. Chronic disease of abdominal organs including: hepatitis and 
inflammatory bowel disease 

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4.1.3.6.4. Un-united fractures, instability of a major joint, retained 
orthopedic fixation devices, severe scoliosis, or disorder of the 
skeletal muscles 
4.1.3.6.5. Psoriasis 
4.1.3.6.6. Psychosis, schizophrenia, or other severe mental health 
disorder 
4.1.3.6.7. Seizure disorders 
4.1.3.6.8. Sleeping disorders 
4.2. Metrics of interest 
4.2.1. Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT) 
4.2.1.1.Administered pre- and post-trial 
4.2.2. Subjective Fatigue Survey 
4.2.2.1.Administered as a start-trial, mid-trial and end-trial 
4.2.2.2.Perceived discomfort portion: CR-10 scale with a local discomfort 
map 
4.2.2.3.Perceived comfort portion: Seating Comfort Form 
 
 
5. MATERIALS 
5.1. Apparatus: 
5.1.1. B52 seat 
5.1.1.1.Frame 
5.1.1.2.Cushion 
5.1.1.3.Harness 
5.2. Flight suit 
5.3. Devices to administer the PVT 
5.4. Flight simulator or other video game equipment 
 
6. PROCEDURES: 
6.1. The study consists of each subject undergoing 2 trials, one on the Kalogon AF 
Prototype cushion and the other on the standard B52 cushion, which serves as the 
control. The order of each trial will be randomized for each subject. 
6.2. Each trial will consist of 2 subjects participating at the same time, one on each 
cushion. 
6.3. Recruitment and Intake: 
6.3.1. Subjects will be recruited as outlined in section 4.1 and will receive 
information about the study and provide informed consent for participation. 
6.3.2. Subjects will be given a time to report for their first trial. 
6.4. Data Collection –   
6.4.1. At the time of their trial, they will be provided a standard flight suit to 
wear for the study and a place to change. 
6.4.2. The subject will be provided with a device and will take the pre-trial PVT. 
6.4.3. The subject will be taken to the B52 test seat and be shown what they will 
need to do during the trial. 

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6.4.3.1.The subject will be performing tasks meant to maintain their focus and 
be actively thinking, including video games, flight simulator, puzzles, 
etc. 
6.4.4. The subject will be strapped into the test seat and a timer will be started to 
begin the trial. 
6.4.4.1.If the subject experiences any adverse events, harm, or no longer 
wishes to participate, the trial will be terminated immediately and the 
subject will receive appropriate care as necessary. 
6.4.5. The subject will have the start trial Subjective Fatigue Survey 
administered. 
6.4.6. The subject will perform the task as described in 6.4.3.1 while strapped 
into the test seat for up to 12 hours.  
6.4.6.1.The subject is allowed minimal short breaks to use the restroom during 
the trial. 
6.4.6.2.The subjects will be instructed to bring a meal and it will be consumed 
while strapped into the test seat. 
6.4.7. The mid-trial Subjective Fatigue Survey will be administered in the 
middle of the trial time. 
6.4.8. At the end of the trial time, while still strapped into the test seat, the 
subject will have the end-trial Subjective Fatigue Survey administered. 
6.4.9. The subject will again be provided with a device to take the post-trial 
PVT. 
6.4.10. The subject will be assigned another time to complete their second trial. 
 
 
 
 
 
END OF PROTOCOL 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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APPENDIX I 
 
 
Table 1. Risk Summary 
 

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APPENDIX II 
 
Subjective Fatigue Survey – Discomfort Assessment 
 
 
Subjective Fatigue Survey – Comfort Assessment 
1. The cushion padding is comfortable. 
2. The cushion fits comfortably under buttocks. 
3. The cushion fits comfortably under thighs. 
4. The cushion fits comfortably behind knees. 
5. The backrest padding is comfortable. 
6. The backrest fits comfortably at shoulders. 
7. The backrest fits comfortably at middle back. 
8. The backrest fits comfortably at low back. 
9. The lumbar support is comfortable. 
10. The seat does not make you feel slipping down. 
11. The seat does not make you feel forward thrusting. 
12. The seat does not make you feel sinking into the cushion. 
13. The seat is comfortable. 
 
 
Figure 1. Subjective Fatigue Survey, Discomfort and Comfort Sections 
 
 

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APPENDIX III 
 
Table 2. Air Force Height/Weight Requirements