Fatigue in Aviation: A Survey of the Awareness and Attitudes of Indian Air Force Pilots

Abstract

Sleep loss and circadian rhythm disruptions cause fatigue in aircrew and thus affect flight safety. Intervention programs for fatigue in any organization should be based on relevant indigenous data. This study was undertaken to develop an understanding of fatigue among aircrew of the Indian Air Force (IAF). This questionnaire study was carried out at the Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Bangalore, in which a total of 83 military fast jet aircrew participated. The mean age of the respondents was 28.9 years (SD = 3.7) with an average military service of 7.2 years. The majority of the aircrew tended to sleep more in the afternoon and longer in the night on holidays and weekends. One third of the aircrew believed that they could perform in peak efficiency even with 1 to 2 hr sleep loss. A similar number stated that they had felt sleepy or drowsy in the cockpit due to sleep deprivation. Aircrew rated decreased attention, increased reaction time, lapses in concentration, and poor aircraft handling as important outcomes of fatigue. Tea or coffee was the preferred countermeasure. They were unanimous in the felt need for more information dissemination on fatigue. There appears to be complacency among aircrew who believe that they may be able to operate with full efficiency despite 1 to 2 hr of sleep loss. They are not well versed about the beneficial effects of napping when fatigued. More emphasis should be placed on recurrent education of aircrew on such issues of aeromedical importance.