Issues in Commuting and Pilot Fatigue


Book Description

The potential for fatigue to negatively affect human performance is well established. Concern about this potential in the aviation context extends back decades, with both airlines and pilots agreeing that fatigue is a safety concern. A more recent consideration is whether and how pilot commuting, conducted in a pilot's off-duty time, may affect fatigue. The National Academy of Sciences was asked to review available information related to the prevalence and characteristics of pilot commuting; sleep, fatigue, and circadian rhythms; airline and regulatory oversight policies; and pilot and airline practices. This interim report summarizes the committee's review to date of the available information. The final report will present a final review, along with the committee's conclusions and recommendations based on the information available during its deliberations.




The Effects of Commuting on Pilot Fatigue


Book Description

Nearly everyone experiences fatigue, but some professions--such as aviation, medicine and the military--demand alert, precise, rapid, and well-informed decision making and communication with little margin for error. The potential for fatigue to negatively affect human performance is well established. Concern about this potential in the aviation context extends back decades, with both airlines and pilots agreeing that fatigue is a safety concern. A more recent consideration is whether and how pilot commuting, conducted in a pilot's off-duty time, may affect fatigue during flight duty. In summer 2010 the U.S. Congress directed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to update the federal regulations that govern pilot flight and duty time, taking into account recent research related to sleep and fatigue. As part of their directive, Congress also instructed FAA to have the National Academy of Sciences conduct a study on the effects of commuting on pilot fatigue. The Effects of Commuting on Pilot Fatigue reviews research and other information related to the prevalence and characteristics of commuting; to the science of sleep, fatigue, and circadian rhythms; to airline and regulatory oversight policies; and to pilot and airline practices. The Effects of Commuting on Pilot Fatigue discusses the policy, economic, and regulatory issues that affect pilot commuting, and outlines potential next steps, including recommendations for regulatory or administrative actions, or further research by the FAA.




Pilot Fatigue


Book Description







Aviation Psychology and Human Factors


Book Description

This book covers the application of psychological principles and techniques to situations and problems of aviation. It offers an overview of the role psychology plays in aviation, system design, selection and training of pilots, characteristics of pilots, safety, and passenger behavior. It covers concepts of psychological research and data analysis and shows how these tools are used in the development of new psychological knowledge. The new edition offers material on physiological effects on pilot performance, a new chapter on aviation physiology, more material on fatigue, safety culture, mental health and safety, as well as practical examples and exercises after each chapter.




Congressional Record


Book Description













Aerospace Physiology (Second Edition)


Book Description

Aerospace physiology (also known as flight or aviation physiology, human factors, or aeromedical factors) is the scientific discipline studying the effects of flight conditions on human physiological and cognitive systems teaching aviators to work and function at peak efficiency in the abnormal environment of flight. This information is introduced to pilots throughout their training and includes hypoxia, spatial disorientation, visual illusions, fatigue, trapped gases, and many others. Unfortunately, all of these issues still create incidents and accidents for pilots on a regular basis even today. The reason for this disparity is pilots may know about the information but fail to understand it completely. This book will transform a pilot’s potential misinterpretation of this subject matter into definitive action on the flight deck. The most current, authoritative, and comprehensive resource on this critical subject is Aerospace Physiology: Aeromedical and Human Performance Factors in Aviation (Second Edition). This book provides professional-grade information for enhancing safety-of-flight for all pilot experience levels. The book was written for use in academic settings and is currently the preferred text on flight physiology for the world-renowned University of North Dakota’s John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences, plus other university aviation programs. The book’s twenty-two chapters follow a logical presentation format, with each chapter thoroughly discussing the topic in understandable language, followed by core competency questions. Each topic details the environmental causes, potential physiological & cognitive responses, plus effective and proven anticipation & mitigation strategies. The book uses the most recent research and experience-based information combined with current aviation incidents and accidents that illustrate how these issues present themselves in realistic flight environments, followed by discussions on how those events may have been prevented. The information in this book is based on Mr. Martin’s thirty years of military and civilian aviation experience, as well as modeled after the US Air Force’s Physiological Training Program for pilots and the comprehensive European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) flight physiology human performance standards. Using Aerospace Physiology: Aeromedical and Human Performance Factors for Pilots (Second Edition) as your learning or teaching resource will elevate your standard of training to its highest levels. The book is essential for all student pilots, certified flight instructors, and licensed private and professional pilots.