Crew Factors In Flight Operations 8 A Survey Of Fatigue Factors In Corporate Executive A Viation Operations

Corporate flight crews face unique challenges including unscheduled flights, quickly changing schedules, extended duty days, long waits, time zone changes, and peripheral tasks. Most corporate operations are regulated by Part 91 FARs which set no flight or duty time limits. The objective of this study was to identify operationally significant factors that may influence fatigue, alertness, and performance in corporate operations. In collaboration with the National Business Aircraft Association and the Flight Safety Foundation, NASA developed and distributed a retrospective survey comprising 107 questions addressing demographics, home sleep habits, flight experience, duty schedules, fatigue during operations, and work environment. Corporate crewmembers returned 1,488 surveys. Respondents averaged 45.2 years of age, had 14.9 years of corporate flying experience, and 9,750 total flight hours. The majority (89%) rated themselves as 'good' or 'very good' sleepers at home. Most (82%) indicated they are subject to call for duty and described an average duty day of 9.9 h. About two-thirds reported having a daily duty time limit and over half (57%) reported a daily flight time limit. Nearly three-quarters (71%) acknowledged having 'nodded off' during a flight. Only 21% reported that their flight departments offer training on fatigue issues. Almost three-quarters (74%) described fatigue as a 'moderate' or 'serious' concern, and a majority (61%) characterized it as a common occurrence. Most (85%) identified fatigue as a 'moderate' or 'serious' safety issue.Rosekind, Mark R. and Co, Elizabeth L. and Gregory, Kevin B. and Miller, Donna L.Ames Research CenterALERTNESS; FLIGHT CREWS; SLEEP; PILOT PERFORMANCE; SURVEYS; CIVIL AVIATION; FLIGHT SAFETY

Most aviation accidents are attributed to human error, pilot error especially. Human error also greatly effects productivity and profitability. In his overview of this collection of papers, the editor points out that these facts are often misinterpreted as evidence of deficiency on the part of operators involved in accidents. Human factors research reveals a more accurate and useful perspective: The errors made by skilled human operators - such as pilots, controllers, and mechanics - are not root causes but symptoms of the way industry operates. The papers selected for this volume have strongly influenced modern thinking about why skilled experts make errors and how to make aviation error resilient.

The third edition of Human Factors in Aviation and Aerospace is a fully updated and expanded version of the highly successful second edition. Written for the widespread aviation community including students, engineers, scientists, pilots, managers, government personnel, etc., this edition continues to offer a comprehensive overview, including pilot performance, human factors in aircraft design, and vehicles and systems. With new editors, this edition adds chapters on aviator attention and perception, accident investigations, automated systems in civil transport airplanes, and aerospace. Multicontributed by leading professionals in the field, this book is the ultimate resource for anyone in the aviation and aerospace industries. Uses real-world case examples of dangers and solutions Includes a new chapter on spaceflight human factors and decision making Examines future directions for automated systems, in two new, separate chapters

This updated edition includes fatigue and sleep definitions as well as strategies for the measurement and assessment of fatigue. The aviation performance, mood, and safety problems associated with sleep restriction and circadian disruptions in operational settings are highlighted. The biological bases of fatigue are discussed so that the reader can understand that it is a real physiological phenomenon and not 'just a state of mind'. Both traditional and newly-developed scientifically-valid countermeasures are presented, and a variety of data from diverse sources are included to provide readers with a 'toolbox' from which they can choose the best solutions for the fatigue-related problems that exist in their unique operational context. In addition, an essential overview of Fatigue Risk Management Systems is included to provide the basic structure necessary to build and validate a modern, integrated approach to successful fatigue management. The book is of interest to aviation crews in both civilian and military sectors--managers as well as pilots, flight crews, and maintainers. It aims to be user-friendly, although scientific information is included to help the reader fully understand the 'fatigue phenomenon' from an evidence-based perspective as well as to enhance the reader's appreciation for the manner in which various counter-fatigue interventions are helpful.

Exploring the wide array of structures, substances, and environments that are primary factors in the initiation or inhibition of sleep, this reference highlights key findings from respected professionals around the globe on the social and economic burden of impaired performance, productivity, and safety arising from sleep deprivation-studying pharm