Rise and shine!

Even though we make light of the situation here at Roost-Air, pilot fatigue is a very serious issue. Many publications have been written about pilot fatigue, yet it still seems to take up a good portion of every accident and incident graph or statistic. Some have said it is even on the rise now with all the modern technology we now have acquired and can’t seem to be able to turn off in time to get some rest.

At my day job we have our own issues with this problem, especially with the international travel and long duty times during big fires. But one thing I have noticed is that I spend a good time of my day updating electronics, GPS’s, maps, and write reports which all dips into time I could spend resting. Either it is because I’m getting older and it just bugs me more, or it could be that there was just a little “less to do” back when we didn’t have all this convenient technology and the new cover sheets for our TPS reports…

How do guys feel about the subject?
Any good stories you want to share we can all learn from?

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2 comments on “Rise and shine!
  1. Hristo says:

    I see your point there, Mike. The economic pressure for more, longer and diversified operations can push the human body way out of sync and establish the permanent state of fatigue resulting in grater risk for the operations in question. In the airline industry the early morning 4-leg operations per crew, introduced by low-cost carriers and embraced by many others testify of this. Forgotten flaps on T/O roll, PF dozing off in descent and many more examples are present. Any other time of the day a pilot can cover good amount of flights in a shift, but night time is naturally a time for ‘Idle run’ on the body and mind. Chuck should learn that too 🙂

  2. Jan Olieslagers says:

    Getting older is a very real factor in fatigue. For myself, I observe fatigue of a different kind: the acquired experience helps to push back issues that are not really urgent, even if all and sundry are calling “FIRE ALERT” ; and those that are really urgent are easier to diagnose. Which helps a good deal in keeping cool, one’s self and others.

    But being on the job, under the stress that an urgency inherently brings, I can no more stand for hours upon hours as I could in my better days. Operational jobs are for youngsters, as one gathers maturity one should grow into planning/coordination/communication responsabilities.

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