I am working on flying and fatigue management of the crew members, in order to improve our fatigue countermeasures.
I’m looking for different military and civilian aviation regulations that are used in several countries to compare with our French regulations, and different tools that can be used to evaluate the fatigue of pilots and other crew members, before a flight in order to know if it's safe to let them fly, and after the flight. These tools must be quite easy and not too long, in order to have a good involvement of the crew members.
Currenty, the Navy models fatigue using the Fatigue Avoidance Scheduling Tool (FAST). The program is a windows-based tool that allows the user to model previous sleep patterns and their affects on the operator.
I have some general concerns regarding its validity, but I know others have used it with fairly good success.
http://www.novasci.com/index_files/page0003.htm
I think that the future will probably be linked to Internet of Things and “connected objects”: some bracelets already give a fairly accurate picture of the phases of light or deep sleep, without scientific proofs of course. However, if these physical data were reinforced with simple self-assessment tools of sleep and fatigue, they could become evidence based medicine. In any case, a pilot study would not be very expensive because the bracelet is 180 euros and the data can be used under Android!
Perhaps have a look at this paper.
Beh, H. C. & McLauchlin, P. (1990), Mental performance of air crew following
layovers on transzonal flights. Ergonomics , 33, 134-147.
I think that the idea of having a bracelet or something like that to have direct measures is good. However, the most common approach right now is not direct measurement but estimations:I did not know about FAST tool but other tools like the ones developed by Qinetiq or by companies like Air Maestro, linking the fatigue estimation -not measurement- tool to rostering systems are the most common approach.
I am strongly agree with the answers/discussions of Prof. Cyril Robert Latimer, Prof.Peter B. Walker & Prof.Thierry Carmoi.
The Thackray Scale Inventory (TSI) has a scale for fatigue that was used in Air traffic conntrol (although not pilots) study. See added link or copy:
http://www.eurocontrol.int/eec/gallery/content/public/document/eec/report/2006/019_Monotony_in_ATC.pdf
http://www.eurocontrol.int/eec/gallery/content/public/document/eec/report/2006/019_Monotony_in_ATC.pdf
Thanks a lot for the PDF of the report on monotony in ATC, Jonas- I will read it and I'm sure that it will be useful, and perhaps we can develop this scale with our pilots.
Hello, I am presently researching the subject of airline pilots mental fatigue at work in my PhD in Psychology. To this date, most of biomathematical methods are still not enough reliable. Sleep actigraphs bracelets, such as Fitbit, are also poorly correlated. So, I am trying to enhance reliability of self reports instruments. My EndNote library has already several articles identified, which I am happy to share. Maybe, you will like to read the reference below:
Powell, D., et al. (2008). "Fatigue in Two-Pilot Operations: Implications for Flight and Duty Time Limitations." Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine 79(11): 1047-1050.
Objectives: Two-pilot operations make up the majority of commercial flights. Fatigue is an important consideration in these operations as there is little opportunity for in-flight rest. We investigated the role of duty length, time of day, and whether one or two sectors were flown on reported fatigue at the top of descent in two-pilot regional operations. Methods: Pilots flying two-pilot operations ranging from 3-12 h completed Samn-Perelli fatigue ratings prior to descent at the end of each rostered duty over a 12-wk period. We collected 3023 usable ratings (72% of rostered duties) comprising 26%) single and 74% double sector duties. Results: We found that time of day has a marked effect on the pattern of fatigue at the start of the duty and on the rate at which fatigue levels increased, with the highest levels in the window of circadian low (0200-0600). Fatigue also increased with the length of duty and was 0.56 higher at the end of a two-sector compared with a single-sector duty. Discussion: The results imply authorities should consider increasing existing limits for daytime duties and reducing those for nighttime two-pilot operations.
There are tools available and the key is to use a combination of subjective and objective measurement techniques.
The most used subjective techniques are Samn-Perelli (SP), a seven point Likert scale and Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS)
These subjective measure need to be backed up by objective measures, like the Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT) which is the most commonly used. The early versions were too long i.e. 10 minutes and latterly 5 minutes and it really was an issue if you are asking pilots to do PVT 3 times (Pre, TOD and Post-flight) or on SHF.
I use the short version of PVT which is 3 minutes in length, on android based devices, you can make it quick and easy for pilots.
Also Motion-watch can give you a good idea of the sleep pattern, especially If you need long term recordings.
I have used PVT in one of my research papers, if you interested have a look at my short version which is on the ResearchGate.
I have also used the Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT) in some research, however there is a danger that the subject pilots can become familiar with the test and begin to predict solutions which can affect data accuracy. Jeppesen also produce a tool as part of their CrewAlert App which is available on Apple devices.
Measuring fatigue of people at work, in my view, has to be practical. This, in my experience, could only be estimated for, available field-methods do not measure fatigue but only the effects of fatigue. To complicate things, these methods can only avaluate physical and mental fatigue combined.
On the other hand, you may find useful to know that the reaction-time method, the flicker-fussion-frequency method and the dexterity method are directly related to the tasks that crew member perform in their routine tasks.
Good luck
For regulations, you may use CAP 371 as reference. In our company, we subscribe to SAFE tool by FRMSc.
My doctorate thesis which I shall soon defend (July 2016) is related to fatigue at work among airline pilots. We have used Yoshitake´s feeling of fatigue questionnaire:
Yoshitake, H. (1971). Relations between the symptoms and the feeling of fatigue. Ergonomics, 14(1), 175-186. doi:10.1080/00140137108931236
As part of my publications this year, I intend to develop and validate a shorter version (from 30 to 12 items). I am also working on the inclusion of a motivation dimension, which was not envisaged by the japanese ergonomists on the 1970's (today it works with three dimensions: drowsiness, lack of attention, and body projections).
I would like very much to contribute with ongoing initiatives. Please keep me in the loop. Good luck with your research.
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