In-flight sleep as a pilot fatigue mitigation on long range and ultra-long range flights : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Massey University, Sleep/Wake Research Centre, Wellington, New Zealand
Year: 2016
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Objectives: Long range flights operate around the clock with long duty periods for pilots. To \nmitigate the effects of fatigue, these flights are operated by augmented crews, providing \neach pilot with the opportunity for sleep in on-board rest facilities. This thesis used a mixed \nmethods approach to investigate the use of in-flight sleep and the factors that influence it. \nMethods: Retrospective survey data (291 pilots, five studies) were analysed to provide an \noverview of pilots’ sleep at home and investigate potential relationships with in-flight sleep. \nA second project monitored the sleep, fatigue and performance of 35 pilots operating a B767 \nflight route between Atlanta and Lagos. These projects were supplemented by thematic \nanalysis of pilots’ logbook comments on in-flight sleep (N=123) and on the way they manage \ntheir fatigue (N=629). \nResults: Pilots viewed in-flight sleep as an important fatigue management strategy and \nactigraphic sleep monitoring confirmed that the B767 pilots made good use of their in-flight \nbreaks for obtaining sleep. Self-ratings of in-flight sleep quality reflected ratings at home, \nbut were usually poorer. Pilots indicated that the type, location and design of rest facilities \naffected sleep quality and duration, and identified strategies for minimizing sleep \ndisturbances and improving alertness. Comments indicated that prior knowledge of inflight \nbreak allocations can influence the planning of pre-trip sleep, use of naps, and in-flight \nsleep. Actigraphic measures of sleep indicated that the B767 pilots obtained more sleep in \nthe 24 hours prior to departure than during baseline days regardless of their subsequent \npattern of in-flight breaks, but it is unclear when they were advised about their break \npattern. Ratings of sleepiness and fatigue increased across the B767 flights, but \npsychomotor vigilance task performance at the start of duty and at top of descent was not \nassociated with prior wakefulness, prior sleep duration or in-flight sleep duration. \nConclusions: In-flight sleep is a well-utilized and effective fatigue mitigation strategy that \nmay be supplemented by other strategies such as flight preparation techniques. To further \nreduce pilot fatigue risk on long range flights, additional research is warranted into the \neffects of flight preparation techniques and in-flight break patterns.
Author: Jennifer L. Zaslona
Language: English
Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2764024878