SYMPTOMS OF FATIGUE AND COPING STRATEGIES IN INTERNATIONAL PILOTS

Fatigue is a major problem for international aircrew flying transmerid ian routes. One hundred eighty-eight international pilots responded to a questionnaire that assessed overall fatigue and the symptoms pilots associated with fatigue on duty. The questionnaire also assessed the methods used by pilots to cope with fatigue before a duty as well as o n the flight deck. Analysis showed that these symptoms could be groupe d into five factors: sleepiness, cognitive dysfunction, emotional dist urbance, boredom, and physical effects. Pilots reporting high levels o f overall fatigue differed from other pilots in terms of noticing symp toms related to cognitive difficulties and emotional disturbance. The most common coping strategies used prior to a duty involved napping an d conserving energy. Coping strategies used by pilots on the flight de ck could be grouped into five factors: planning energy use, active cop ing, mental withdrawal, communicating with other crew, and coffee drin king. In their coping strategies during flights, high-fatigue pilots d iffered from other crew in their higher use of energy planning. The st udy suggests that pilots reporting high levels of fatigue may use diff erent sensations to monitor when they are tired. Modifying some of the less functional coping strategies used by high-fatigue pilots may be a useful point of intervention to reduce fatigue.