Physiological Episode Action Team updates Naval Aviation Enterprise on progress

21 January 2021 By Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic Public Affairs
 
NORFOLK, Va. – The Navy’s Physiological Episode Action Team (PEAT) has seen a dramatic decrease in physiological events (PE) across the fleet since 2017.

In the latest episode of the All Things Naval Aviation podcast, PEAT Lead, Cmdr. Adrian Jope told Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic Rear Adm. John Meier the team’s progress includes a 79 percent decrease in F/A-18 events and a 94 percent drop in the T-45 Goshawk aircraft.

“I would look at our charge as being similar to that of a conductor of an orchestra,” Jope said of PEAT. “We’re getting many different organizations such as the fleet, (the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery), academia, and industry to all play together and get after this problem.”

Starting in 2010 when PEs started being tracked within Naval Safety Center, a dramatic rise caught the attention of leadership and Congress. Following a comprehensive review, the PEAT was created in 2017 as the lead for the investigation that ensued.  

PEs quickly became Naval Aviation’s No. 1 safety priority, whereby the entire Naval Aviation Enterprise along with the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery committed themselves to solving the elusive phenomenon.

“Your guidance was pretty clear,” Meier said to Jope. “And from the formation of PEAT with you as the lead, you have gotten after this problem.”
 
A Physiological Event occurs when an aircrew experiences physiological symptoms in the aircraft which can be attributed to a known or suspected aircraft and/or aircrew systems malfunction.  PEs can occur in-flight, on deck, or manifest post-flight with a delayed-onset of aircrew symptoms.
 
Despite the significant progress made and restored confidence in Navy and Marine Corps aircraft, PEAT will continue to work tirelessly in an effort to further reduce PEs.
 
https://airlant.navy.afpims.mil/Press-Room/Podcast/audioid/65160/dvpcc/false/#DVIDSVideoPlayer28547