Rosekind, M. R., Co, E. L., Gregory, K. B., Miller, D. L. (2000). Crew Factors in Flight Operations XIII: A Survey of Fatigue Factors in Corporate/Executive Aviation Operations (NASA Technical Memorandum 2000-209610). Moffett Field, California: NASA Ames Research Center.
Introduction. Corporate and business flight operations face unique challenges in the aviation industry. Corporate flight crews operate under Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs), which does not limit flight or duty periods as in other areas of the regulations that control commercial operations. Corporate aviation is often characterized by unscheduled flights, quickly changing schedules, and extended duty days sometimes due to long periods spent "on-call." Additionally, corporate pilots' workload may include non-flight related duties such as baggage handling and problems experienced by corporate flight crews in both long- and short-haul flgiht operations. However, fatigue-related issues have not previously been examined in this operational environment. This study was designed to identify operationally significant factors that may influence fatigue, alertness, and performance in corporate flight operations.
Methods. A survey was constructed with 107 questions, in varied format,
that targeted six main areas: demographic, home sleep habits, flight experience,
duty/rest patterns, fatigue, and the work environment. In collaboration
with the Flight Safety Foundation and the National Business Aircraft Association
(NBAA), NASA investigators targeted a representative sample of corporate/executive
operators by mailing surveys to all U.S.-based member companies. A cover
letter accompanied each survey explaining the study and emphasizing that
all information provided by subjects was anonymous and confidential. An
enclosed postage-paid envelope ensured that data were returned directly
to the NASA investigators.
Results. A total of 1,488 corporate flight crew responded. The sample
was 99% male and averaged 45.2 years of age. This sample included 55 (4%)
individuals over age 60, reflecting that corporate pilots are not subject
to a mandatory retirement age like that imposed in Part 121 FARs. The respondents
reported an average of 14.9 yr. of corporate flying and logging an average
total flight time of 9,750 hr.
Describing off-duty sleep at home, the group reported an average sleep duration
of 7:17 hr, with 89% rating themselves as "good" or "very
good" sleepers. More than half (60%) reported that they snore and about
8% reported having a sleep problem. The most commonly reported sleep problems
were insomnia, disturbed sleep, and apnea. Only 15% of these problems were
diagnosed by a physician.
Most of the respondents (91%) reported their flight deck position as captain
and the group's average salary was $65,500. The majority (68%) reported
flying turbojets, 20% turboprops, 7% reciprocating-engine aircraft, and
a small number (5%) flew helicopters. Most (82%) indicated that they are
required to wear beepers and are subject to call for duty but reported that
they were rarely "called out" (mean = 1.6 times/mo). They reported
flying an average of 13.8 days/mo and logging 35.2 hr/mo of flight time.
On average, they described duty days of 9.9 hr that included 3.2 flight
segments.
Many corporate aviation departments set their own flight and duty time limits
because part 91 FARs provide only minimal guidance on this issue. About
two-thirds of the respondents reported having a duty time limit, which averaged
14.8 hr/day, yet most have no monthly (97%) or annual (98%) duty limits.
Less than half of the group reported having a daily flight time limit, which
averaged 9.7 hr, and again the majority reported no monlthly (89%) or annual
(92%) limits. About 60% reported having a policy on minimum rest time with
an average of 9.4 hr/24 hr.
Most (61%) characterized fatigue as a common occurrence in corporate operations,
and three-quarters described it as a "moderate" or "serious"
concern. A large majority (85%) identified it as a "moderate"
or "serious" safety issue, and approach was the most commonly
cited (48%) flight phase affected by fatigue.
Nearly three-quarters of respondents reported having "nodded off"
during a flight (Figure 1). Despite these reports, less than half (39%)
reported making arrangements for one pilot to nap in the cockpit seat during
flight (Figure 2). In addition, a small percentage (13%) reported that at
some time fatigue had prevented them from flying a scheduled trip. Only
21% reported that their flight department offers training on fatigue issues.
Conclusions. These data indicate that fatigue is perceived as a significant
issue in corporate flight operations. This experienced corporate flightcrew
group that rated themselves as good sleepers at home reported significant problems
with fatigue in their operational environment. The finding that a vast majority
of subjects reported "nodding off" in flight is further evidence of
the significant fatigue issues facing corporate operations. Yet the data suggest
that a minority of organizations address these issues through either flight
and duty limits or education. More widespread education on alertness management
strategies combined with more comprehensive application of scientifically-based
flight and duty time consideration provide an approach for corporate flight
departments to address fatigue issues and enhance corporate aviation safety.
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