FLIGHT CREW FATIGUE VI - A SYNTHESIS

Sleep, circadian rhythms, subjective fatigue, mood, nutrition, and phy sical symptoms were monitored in flight crews before, during, and afte r scheduled commercial operations. Duty-related changes in these measu res were examined in four different types of air transport: short-haul fixed-wing; short-haul helicopter; domestic overnight cargo; and long -haul. The extent of these changes, and the duty-related and physiolog ical factors contributing to them, are compared among the different op erations. During all operations, the level of sleep loss was such that the majority of crewmembers would be expected to have become increasi ngly sleepy across trip days, with some experiencing performance decre ments. In addition, during overnight cargo and long-haul operations, c rewmembers were sometimes flying aircraft during the circadian low poi nt in alertness and performance. Specific recommendations for reducing flight crew fatigue are offered for each operating environment.