Improvement of fatigue management methodology related to flight crew
Abstract
This research focuses on flight crew fatigue and the improvement of a fatigue management methodology that helps in reducing fatigue for flight crew members, aiming to improve their well-being and overall aviation safety of flights. A thorough literature review established a foundation for understating fatigue and the available methodologies for fatigue management for flight crew members. To make the picture clearer, an empirical study was conducted, and it included surveys and interviews with flight crew members. The gathered data underwent detailed statistical and thematic analysis to identify key factors influencing fatigue among flight crew members. Findings revealed multiple contributors to the flight crew member fatigue. Using these insights, a fatigue management methodology is proposed, integrating real-world experiences with evidence-based strategies. The proposed methodology and the recommendations that were formed are relevant for a company management which is facing flight crew fatigue management issues.
Keyword : aviation, fatigue, flight crew, crew resource management, safety
How to Cite
Alomar, I., Alomar, S., & Stecenko, I. (2024). Improvement of fatigue management methodology related to flight crew. Aviation, 28(3), 148–162. https://doi.org/10.3846/aviation.2024.22146
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
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Gander, P. H. (2015). Evolving regulatory approaches for managing fatigue risk in transport operations. Reviews of Human Factors and Ergonomics, 10(1), 253–271. https://doi.org/10.1177/1557234X15576510
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Goel, N., Basner, M., Rao, H., & Dinges, D. F. (2013). Circadian rhythms, sleep deprivation, and human performance. Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science, 119, 155–190. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-396971-2.00007-5
Goode, J. H. (2003). Are pilots at risk of accidents due to fatigue? Journal of Safety Research, 34(3), 309–313. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-4375(03)00033-1
Grandjean, E. (1979). Fatigue in industry. British Journal of Industrial Medicine, 36(3), 175–186. https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.36.3.175
Hornfeldt, P. (2019). The Final report of Fly Dubai FS981 disaster. https://mentourpilot.com/the-final-report-of-fly-dubai-fs981-rostov-on-don-disaster/
Hu, X., & Lodewijks, G. (2020). Detecting fatigue in car drivers and aircraft pilots by using non-invasive measures: The value of differentiation of sleepiness and mental fatigue. Journal of Safety Research, 72, 173–187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2019.12.015
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International Air Transport Association, International Civil Aviation Organization, & International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations. (2015). Fatigue management guide for airline operators (2nd ed.). https://www.icao.int/safety/fatiguemanagement/FRMS%20Tools/FMG%20for%20Airline%20Operators%202nd%20Ed%20(Final)%20EN.pdf
Jackson, C. A., & Earl, L. (2006). Prevalence of fatigue among commercial pilots. Occupational Medicine, 56(4), 263–268. https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kql021
Lord, D., & Conlon, H. A. (2018). Cardiovascular risk factors in airline pilots. Workplace Health & Safety, 66(10), 471–474. https://doi.org/10.1177/2165079917751478
Nahrgang, J. D., Morgeson, F. P., & Hofmann, D. A. (2011). Safety at work: A meta-analytic investigation of the link between job demands, job resources, burnout, engagement, and safety outcomes. Journal of Applied Psychology, 96(1), 71–94. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0021484
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National Transportation Safety Board. (2003). Commercial transportation operator fatigue management. NTSB.
National Transportation Safety Board. (2010). Accident Report NTSB/AAR-10/01. PB2010-910401. NTSB.
Plieger, T., Melchers, M., Montag, C., Meermann, R., & Reuter, M. (2015). Life stress as a potential risk factor for depression and burnout. Burnout Research, 2(1), 19–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.burn.2015.03.001
Predective Safety. (2023). 16 plane crashes caused by fatigued aircrew. https://blog.predictivesafety.com/16-plane-crashes-caused-by-fatigued-aircrew
Reis, C., Mestre C., Canhão, H., Gradwell, D., & Paiva, T. (2016). Sleep complaints and fatigue of airline pilots. Sleep Science, 9(2), 73–77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.slsci.2016.05.003
Suri, M., & Stambaugh, A. (2024). Plane veered off flight path after both pilots fell asleep, Indonesian authorities say. CNN Travel. https://edition.cnn.com/2024/03/10/asia/batik-air-pilots-asleep-indonesia-intl-hnk/index.html
Trejo, L. J., Knuth, K., Prado, R., Rosipal, R., Kubitz, K., Kochavi, R., Matthews, B., & Zhang, Y. (2007). EEG-based estimation of mental fatigue: Convergent evidence for a three-state model. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 4565, 201–211. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-73216-7_23
Valdez, P. (2019). Circadian rhythms in attention. Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, 92(1), 81–92.
Wynns, P. (2023, September 6). The pilot shortage is not over. Flexair. https://aviex.goflexair.com/blog/the-pilot-shortage
Axelsson, J., & Puttonen, S. (2012). Night shift work increases the risk for type 2 diabetes. Evidence-Based Medicine, 17(6), 193–194. https://doi.org/10.1136/ebmed-2012-100649
Baines Simmons Safety Services. (2023). A fatigue survey of European pilots. https://www.eurocockpit.eu/sites/default/files/2023-08/A%20report%20on%20a%20fatigue%20survey%20of%20European%20Pilots_2023_FINAL.pdf
Balkin, T. T. J., & Wesensten, N. J. (2011). Differentiation of sleepiness and mental fatigue effects. In P. L. Ackerman (Ed.), Cognitive fatigue: Multidisciplinary perspectives on current research and future applications (pp. 47–66). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/12343-002
British Airline Pilots’ Association. (2016). Airline pilot wins major legal victory on fatigue. BALPA.
Bendak, S., & Rashid, H. S. J. (2020). Fatigue in aviation: A systematic review of the literature. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 76, Article 102928. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2020.102928
Bourgeois-Bougrine, S., Carbon, P., Gounelle, C., Mollard, R., & Coblentz, A. (2003). Perceived fatigue for short- and long-haul flights: A survey of 739 airline pilots. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 74(10), 1072–1077.
Cahill, J., Cullen, P., & Gaynor, K. (2019). Estimating the impact of work-related stress on pilot wellbeing and flight safety. In The 2nd International Symposium on Human Mental Workload: Models and Applications (H-WORKLOAD 2018). ResearchGate.
Carey, M. A., Steiner, K. L., & Petri, W. A. Jr. (2020). Ten simple rules for reading a scientific paper. PLoS Computational Biology, 16(7), Article e1008032. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008032
CBS News. (2022). Southwest Airlines pilots’ union raises safety concerns over fatigue. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/southwest-airlines-pilot-fatigue-air-travel-safety-concerns/
Civil Aviation Safety Authority Australia. (2010). Biomathematical fatigue modelling (Guidance document). CASA. https://www.icao.int/safety/fatiguemanagement/ArticlesPublications/biomathematical_fatigue_models.pdf
Dawson, D., & McCulloch, K. (2005). Managing fatigue: It’s about sleep. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 9(5), 365–380. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2005.03.002
Dehais, F., Duprès, A., Di Flumeri, G., Verdière, K., Borghini, G., Babiloni, F., & Roy, R. (2018). Monitoring pilot’s cognitive fatigue with engagement features in simulated and actual flight conditions using a hybrid fNIRS-EEG passive BCI. In 2018 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics (SMC) (pp. 544–549). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/SMC.2018.00102
Demerouti, E., Veldhuis, W., Coombes, C., & Hunter, R. (2019). Burnout among pilots: Psychosocial factors related to happiness and performance at simulator training. Ergonomics, 62(2), 233–245. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2018.1464667
Department of Transport. (1995). Air Accidents Investigation Branch. Defence Research Agency (Aircraft Accident report 1/96). https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5423010440f0b61346000b5b/1-1996_7T-VEE.pdf
European Union Aviation Safety Agency. (2015). Annex II to ED Decision 2015/022/R. https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/document-library/agency-decisions/ed-decision-2015022r
Eur-lex. (2014). Commission Regulation (EU) No 83/2014. Official Journal of the European Union, 28/17. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2014:028:0017:0029:EN:PDF
European Cockpit Association. (2007). Quick reference guide. European flight time limitations. https://www.eurocockpit.eu/sites/default/files/SubpartQ_Reference_Guide_07_0822_F.pdf
European Cockpit Association. (2012). Pilot fatigue barometer. https://www.eurocockpit.eu/sites/default/files/eca_barometer_on_pilot_fatigue_12_1107_f.pdf
Evans, W. J., & Lambert, C. P. (2007). Physiological basis of fatigue. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 86(1 Suppl), S29–46. https://doi.org/10.1097/PHM.0b013e31802ba53c
Federal Aviation Administration. (2012). Advisory Circular. AC No: 117-3. https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC%20117-3.pdf
Freudenberger, H. J. (1974). “Staff Burn-out.” Journal of Social Issues, 30(1), 159–165. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4560.1974.tb00706.x
Gander, P. H. (2015). Evolving regulatory approaches for managing fatigue risk in transport operations. Reviews of Human Factors and Ergonomics, 10(1), 253–271. https://doi.org/10.1177/1557234X15576510
Genovese, D. (2022, April 13). Southwest Airlines pilot union says fatigue is ‘number-one’ safety threat. Fox Business. https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/southwest-airlines-pilot-fatigue-2022
Goel, N., Basner, M., Rao, H., & Dinges, D. F. (2013). Circadian rhythms, sleep deprivation, and human performance. Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science, 119, 155–190. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-396971-2.00007-5
Goode, J. H. (2003). Are pilots at risk of accidents due to fatigue? Journal of Safety Research, 34(3), 309–313. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-4375(03)00033-1
Grandjean, E. (1979). Fatigue in industry. British Journal of Industrial Medicine, 36(3), 175–186. https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.36.3.175
Hornfeldt, P. (2019). The Final report of Fly Dubai FS981 disaster. https://mentourpilot.com/the-final-report-of-fly-dubai-fs981-rostov-on-don-disaster/
Hu, X., & Lodewijks, G. (2020). Detecting fatigue in car drivers and aircraft pilots by using non-invasive measures: The value of differentiation of sleepiness and mental fatigue. Journal of Safety Research, 72, 173–187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2019.12.015
International Civil Aviation Organization. (2012). Fatigue risk management systems – Manual for regulators (Doc 9966) (1st ed.). https://tinyurl.com/3hvjmd22
International Civil Aviation Organization. (2020). Manual for the oversight of fatigue management approaches (Doc 9966) (Report). ICAO.
International Air Transport Association, International Civil Aviation Organization, & International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations. (2015). Fatigue management guide for airline operators (2nd ed.). https://www.icao.int/safety/fatiguemanagement/FRMS%20Tools/FMG%20for%20Airline%20Operators%202nd%20Ed%20(Final)%20EN.pdf
Jackson, C. A., & Earl, L. (2006). Prevalence of fatigue among commercial pilots. Occupational Medicine, 56(4), 263–268. https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kql021
Lord, D., & Conlon, H. A. (2018). Cardiovascular risk factors in airline pilots. Workplace Health & Safety, 66(10), 471–474. https://doi.org/10.1177/2165079917751478
Nahrgang, J. D., Morgeson, F. P., & Hofmann, D. A. (2011). Safety at work: A meta-analytic investigation of the link between job demands, job resources, burnout, engagement, and safety outcomes. Journal of Applied Psychology, 96(1), 71–94. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0021484
National Transportation Safety Board. (1993). Aircraft Accident Report: Uncontrolled Collision with Terrain American International Airways flight. National Transportation Safety Board.
National Transportation Safety Board. (2003). Commercial transportation operator fatigue management. NTSB.
National Transportation Safety Board. (2010). Accident Report NTSB/AAR-10/01. PB2010-910401. NTSB.
Plieger, T., Melchers, M., Montag, C., Meermann, R., & Reuter, M. (2015). Life stress as a potential risk factor for depression and burnout. Burnout Research, 2(1), 19–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.burn.2015.03.001
Predective Safety. (2023). 16 plane crashes caused by fatigued aircrew. https://blog.predictivesafety.com/16-plane-crashes-caused-by-fatigued-aircrew
Reis, C., Mestre C., Canhão, H., Gradwell, D., & Paiva, T. (2016). Sleep complaints and fatigue of airline pilots. Sleep Science, 9(2), 73–77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.slsci.2016.05.003
Suri, M., & Stambaugh, A. (2024). Plane veered off flight path after both pilots fell asleep, Indonesian authorities say. CNN Travel. https://edition.cnn.com/2024/03/10/asia/batik-air-pilots-asleep-indonesia-intl-hnk/index.html
Trejo, L. J., Knuth, K., Prado, R., Rosipal, R., Kubitz, K., Kochavi, R., Matthews, B., & Zhang, Y. (2007). EEG-based estimation of mental fatigue: Convergent evidence for a three-state model. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 4565, 201–211. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-73216-7_23
Valdez, P. (2019). Circadian rhythms in attention. Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, 92(1), 81–92.
Wynns, P. (2023, September 6). The pilot shortage is not over. Flexair. https://aviex.goflexair.com/blog/the-pilot-shortage