Crew Factors in Flight Operations XI: A Survey of Fatigue Factors in Regional Airline Operations

Co, E. L., Gregory, K. B., Johnson, M. J., Rosekind, M. R. (1999). Crew Factors in Flight Operations XI: A Survey of Fatigue Factors in Regional Airline Operations (NASA Technical Memorandum 208799). Moffett Field, California: NASA Ames Research Center.

This report on fatigue factors in regional airline operations is the eleventh in a series on the physiological effects of flight operations on flight crews, and on the operational significance of these effects.

Regional airline operations, a growing segment of the commercial air transport industry, depend on the human operator to maintain high levels of flight safety. The specific operational requirements of regional operations create unique challenges regarding human fatigue. Regulatory differences, scheduling practices, and other factors have been suggested anecdotally as potential fatigue factors for regional operators. This survey study was conducted to identify operational factors that may contribute to fatigue in regional airline operations.

A retrospective survey of 119-questions was disseminated to pilots from 26 regional carriers. The survey addressed 7 main topics: general demographics, sleep at home, flying, duty, fatigue, and work environment, with a separate 3-question section for management pilots that focused on scheduling. Subjects were 1,424 regional flight crewmembers who voluntarily and anonymously completed the survey.

Overall, crewmembers identified fatigue as an important consideration in regional airline operations, with 89% rating it a moderate or serious concern. Further, 88% reported that fatigue was a common occurrence in regional operations, and 92% reported that when fatigue occurs, it represents a moderate or serious safety issue. However, 86% reported that they received no training from their companies that addressed fatigue issues. Fatigue factors identified by respondents included multiple flight segments, scheduling considerations, varying regulations, and others. The short-distance nature of regional operations results in multiple flight segments rather than the one or two long segments common in long-haul operations. The two most commonly cited fatigue factors regarded flying multiple (more than four) segments. Scheduling factors identified by crews accounted for nine of the ten most common recommendations that crewmembers made to reduce fatigue in regional operations. The scheduling factors included: long duty days, continuous-duty overnights, reserve status, early duty report times, and the amount of time between flight legs. Many of these scheduling practices are unique to regional operations. Another specific challenge is that regional airlines operate under various parts of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs), including Part 135, which is the most common, Part 121, the Part under which major airlines operate, and Part 91 for General Aviation. Differing requirements among these regulations were cited as contributing to fatigue in regional operations. Other factors identified were: the flight deck environment, including high temperatures and noise; automation, including the lack of autopilot and other equipment; and diet, including dehydration and the availability of food.

The data from flight crewmembers suggested certain recommendations, including education of industry personnel about fatigue issues, and examination of scheduling practices. Education plays a critical role in any effort to address fatigue in operations. Physiological background information and practical strategies for fatigue management are two crucial topics. Educating individuals in every part of the system would maximize the benefit of this activity. Analyzing scheduling practices and identifying potential improvements may result in reduced fatigue as well as other benefits to operations.

NASA/TM_1999_208799 (216K)