What's the name of the helicopter blade sunlight stobing thing?

March 3, 2009 5:16 PM

What's the name of the bizarre effect that caused a few helicopter crashes where the light of the sun is strobed by the blades causing the pilot to have some kind of seizure? I've been Googling like mad and I can't find anything, but I'm sure it has a name!
posted by debord to travel & transportation (5 comments total)

Sorry, I forgot to say please!

Question should have read:

"Please can anyone tell me what the name of the bizarre effect that caused a few helicopter crashes where the light of the sun is strobed by the blades causing the pilot to have some kind of seizure? I've been Googling like mad and I can't find anything, but I'm sure it has a name!"
posted by debord at 5:17 PM on March 3

Bucha effect
posted by 0xFCAF at 5:21 PM on March 3 [1 favorite]

Yup, Bucha effect. A friend of mine collapsed in a seizure in a movie theatre and doctors determined it was caused by flashing strobes in the film, projected on the screen. He was never diagnosed with epilepsy, but the docs suggested he was susceptible to that effect and should avoid flashing lights if possible.
posted by elendil71 at 6:33 PM on March 3 [1 favorite]

AWESOME - Thank you so much.
posted by debord at 7:00 PM on March 3 [1 favorite]

Also known as flicker vertigo. See also: strobe weapons.
posted by kurtroehl at 7:02 PM on March 3