ABSTRACT

Given the causes of fatigue and the disastrous consequences that tiredness in the cockpit sometimes produce, there is little doubt that combating this insidious and pervasive threat to aviation safety deserves high priority. Jobs are different, people are different, and both tend to change with the passage of time. Pilots make every effort to endure the fatigue that stems from inadequate daily sleep and work schedules that are highly demanding. Aviation operations rarely provide the predictable nine-to-five daytime work routines enjoyed by many workers, this makes the straightforward implementation of several standard fatigue countermeasures difficult. When fatigued individuals have other responsibilities that prevent them from sleeping enough every day and taking some time off every week, they are building a cumulative sleep debt that can seriously impair overall alertness, performance, and well-being. Combining two or more proven strategies can significantly enhance the effectiveness of any alertness-management program, especially when day-to-day variations in job demands call for a more comprehensive approach.