Pilot fatigue is due to night flights, long hours, and unstable rosters: study

A recent study has found that pilot fatigue is significantly influenced by factors such as consecutive night flights, extended duty hours, and unstable work schedules.

The study, conducted by the Safety Matters Foundation, surveyed primarily senior pilots to explore the causes of fatigue within the aviation industry.

Key findings indicate that 84% of pilots expressed concerns over the pace and direction of shift rotations, and 83% worried about fatigue resulting from consecutive night flights. 81% of pilots believe inadequate rest and unpredictable rosters contribute significantly to their fatigue levels.

The research revealed that 70% of pilots consider flight duty periods exceeding 10 hours as a major factor leading to fatigue. This is in line with recommendations from NASA and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which suggest a maximum of 10 hours for flight duty periods.

Additionally, 76% of pilots reported that increasing flight duty periods and landings as the week progresses exacerbate fatigue.

The survey, conducted online from July 16-22, involved 530 pilots, mostly captains experienced in operating medium short-haul flights.

The study also identified frequent tail swaps - where pilots switch to a different aircraft during a flight duty period - as a contributor to fatigue. Pilots noted that tail swaps require additional processes, such as security checks, which can compound fatigue when combined with long duty hours, minimal rest, and multiple landings.

According to the Safety Matters Foundation, 17 hours of wakefulness can impair a pilot's abilities similar to a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05%. However, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) enforces a zero-tolerance policy for blood alcohol levels during pre and post-flight tests.

The study also found that many pilots feel current rest periods and roster management practices do not adequately mitigate fatigue.

About 40% of pilots reported being afraid to report fatigue, and 30% cited this fear as a significant issue.

The number of pilots in India being declared temporarily or permanently medically unfit has been rising, with fatigue potentially being a major contributing factor to health issues such as cardiac disease.

The findings come amid ongoing discussions about updating the Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms, with the DGCA having proposed changes earlier this year that have yet to be implemented. The study calls for more stable and predictable rostering practices and rest periods aligned with scientific guidelines to improve pilot well-being and safety.