Factors contributing to the risk of airline pilot fatigue

Abstract

Fatigue is important in the aviation field because it affects many people's safety. The purpose of this study is to identify factors that affect airline pilot fatigue. This study proposes a fatigue model for airline pilots. Fatigue is classified into physical decline, mental decline, and rest defects. Based on 929 responses from pilots, this study verifies that pilot fatigue is affected by seven independent variables – flight direction, crew scheduling, partnership, aircraft environment, job assignment, ethnic difference, and hotel environment. Results show these factors affect physical fatigue, mental decline, and rest defects. These findings can contribute to reducing pilot fatigue, which is important in aviation in terms of physical fatigue, mental decline, and rest defects.