Pilot Fatigue Research Articles

How Pilot Fatigue Affects Operational Flight Risk in Scheduled Commercial Aviation

Abstract: Pilot fatigue remains a hazard in scheduled commercial aviation, contributing to 31 aircraft accidents between 2005 and 2022, according to International Air Transport Association (IATA) (2023) . Therefore, this study further investigated fatigue and its impact on operational flight risk in commercial aviation. More than 16,000 safety reports were analyzed using mixed methods. The results showed that fatigue-related occurrences were more likely to be reported confidentially. Factors contributing to an increased risk of fatigue included pilots’ personal factors, inadequate rest periods, or poor hotel environments. Fatigue was observed in 6% of all safety-related occurrences analyzed, but these events consumed 9% of the airlines’ risk budget. Further empirical research is required focusing on the influence of pilots’ personal factors on fatigue risk.

AI-Assisted Pilot Fatigue Risk Assessment: Integrating Facial Recognition and Physiological Signal Analysis

AI-Assisted Pilot Fatigue Risk Assessment: Integrating Facial Recognition and Physiological Signal Analysis

Pilot fatigue evaluation with the method of weight TOPSIS

Abstract Fatigue is significant to many aviation accidents, so assessing pilot fatigue is critical to aviation safety. Traditional fatigue risk assessment studies often ignore the impact of difficult flight maneuvers on pilot fatigue. The study sought to develop a fatigue risk indicator system that could be integrated with airline data systems to achieve a more accurate assessment of pilot fatigue. The questionnaire content was determined by literature collection and methods, and 128 civil aviation pilots were surveyed by questionnaire. The influence of pilot scheduling, workload, working environment and other specific indicators on pilot fatigue was evaluated by Weight TOPSIS analysis method. Then the model is used to evaluate pilot fatigue for practical scheduling problems. The study found that lack of rest time, long working hours and red-eye flights were the most common causes of pilot fatigue. In practice, the fatigue evaluation system can be combined with the database information of the airline to help the airline rationally arrange the flight, minimize the fatigue index and ensure the safety.

Pilot facial feature recognition and fatigue classification method under high exposure environment

To improve the recognition efficiency of pilot fatigue detection in high exposure environment, a facial feature recognition and fatigue classification method for pilots is proposed. Firstly, the high exposure images are pre-processed with frequency domain light normalization; secondly, a human face detector is trained based on YOLOv5s network model and detects the face, eyes and mouth; again, the fatigue feature values of eyes and mouth are obtained by fusing PERCLOS fatigue detection algorithm; finally, a fatigue classifier is built by RBF-ELM neural network and the fatigue parameters of eyes, mouth and yawning The fatigue parameters of the eye, mouth and yawn features were input to the classifier for fatigue classification. The experimental results show that the fatigue detection speed of the proposed method is up to 310 FPS when computed with GPU, which has higher recognition rate and better robustness compared with the classical PCA, CNN and DCT methods. The method can effectively improve the accuracy of pilot facial feature recognition and eye localization in high exposure environment, and has high practicality for non-contact pilot fatigue detection.

Research on optimization of flight crew scheduling considering pilot fatigue

Safety is a top concern for the civil aviation industry, and the risk of safety accidents will increase due to pilot fatigue. To ensure the safety of civil aviation, this paper proposes a method to solve the crew scheduling problem considering pilot fatigue. In order to reflect individual differences and fatigue levels of pilots, an improved three-stage alertness calculation model is first proposed based on subjective and objective perspectives to represent pilots’ alertness levels and fatigue working duration quantitatively. Then, for the crew scheduling problem considering pilot fatigue, a mixed integer programming model is constructed to simultaneously achieve the optimization objectives of reducing the overall scheduling cost and crew fatigue working duration. Next, since the actual crew scheduling problem is large-scale, a solution algorithm based on a column generation framework is developed to improve the quality and efficiency of solving the large-scale crew scheduling problem. Furthermore, in the case study, we collected actual data from an airline company to validate the effectiveness of our proposed method. Finally, through multiple experimental comparisons and analyses, to balance the two optimization objectives mentioned above, it is more reasonable to handle pilot fatigue working duration with soft constraints. Sensitivity analysis reveals the variation rules of the crew cost and fatigue, providing some valuable managerial insights for the crew scheduling problem considering pilot fatigue.

QuickNav: An Effective Collision Avoidance and Path-Planning Algorithm for UAS

Obstacle avoidance is a desirable capability for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs)/drones which prevents crashes and reduces pilot fatigue, particularly when operating in the Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS). In this paper, we present QuickNav, a solution for obstacle detection and avoidance designed to function as a pre-planned onboard navigation system for UAS flying in a known obstacle-cluttered environment. Our method uses a geometrical approach and a predefined safe perimeter (square area) based on Euclidean Geometry for the estimation of intercepting points, as a simple and efficient way to detect obstacles. The square region is treated as the restricted zone that the UAS must avoid entering, therefore providing a perimeter for manoeuvring and arriving at the next waypoints. The proposed algorithm is developed in a MATLAB environment and can be easily translated into other programming languages. The proposed algorithm is tested in scenarios with increasing levels of complexity, demonstrating that the QuickNav algorithm is able to successfully and efficiently generate a series of avoiding waypoints. Furthermore, QuickNav produces shorter distances as compared to those of the brute force method and is able to solve difficult obstacle avoidance problems in fractions of the time and distance required by the other methods. QuickNav can be used to improve the safety and efficiency of UAV missions and can be applied to the deployment of UAVs for surveillance, search and rescue, and delivery operations.

Obesity and Its Relation to Excessive Daytime Sleepiness in Civilian Pilots.

INTRODUCTION: Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is often associated with decreased work performance and fatigue in civil pilots. However, aeromedical recommendations for the evaluation of EDS are associated with suspicion of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Currently, many studies have found an association between obesity and EDS, regardless of OSA. This study aims to determine whether there is a relationship between obesity and EDS in Indonesian civilian pilots, as well as its risks for developing OSA.METHODS: This study used a cross-sectional design and was carried out at the Directorate General Civil Aviation Medical. Subjects were asked to fill out questionnaires, including the Epworth Sleepiness Scale to measure EDS and STOP-Bang to assess OSA risk, followed by anthropometric measurements for body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference as obesity indicators.RESULTS: A total of 156 subjects were obtained, with an EDS prevalence of 16.7%. There was no significant relationship between obesity and EDS, but the prevalence of EDS was higher in obese subjects based on waist circumference than based on BMI (17.8% vs. 15.6%). Most obese pilots with EDS had a low risk of OSA (83.3% and 80%).CONCLUSION: The prevalence of EDS was found to be higher in pilots with central obesity compared to BMI-categorized obesity. The incidence of EDS was not correlated with the risk of OSA.Brahmanti RS, Sampurna B, Ibrahim N, Adi NP, Siagian M, Werdhani RA. Obesity and its relation to excessive daytime sleepiness in civilian pilots. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2023; 94(11):815-820.

Assessment of pilot fatigue risk on international flights under the prevention and control policy of the Chinese civil aviation industry during the COVID-19

BackgroundTo predict the fatigue risk of pilots of international flights in the Chinese civil aviation industry flying under the new operating model during the COVID-19 outbreak, and provide scientific audit materials for airlines to the Civil Aviation Administration of China. MethodsThe FAID Quantum software model was used as a scientific analysis tool for pilot's fatigue risk prediction, while the KSS fatigue self-assessment scale and the PVT objective detection of pilot fatigue risk were used in an empirical experimental research method to conduct a comprehensive analysis and assessment of the fatigue risk of flight crews under both the CCAR-121 and exemption policies before and after the COVID-19 epidemic. At the same time, the applicability of the exemption policy is validated based on the comparison results under the two policies. ResultsIn terms of FAID model simulation results, 7.37705% of the flight time for pilots operating under the CCAR-121 policy was obtained to be in the fatigue risk concern tier, compared to 0% for pilots operating under the exemption policy. In addition, there were fewer data for pilots with KSS scores above 6 for exemption policy flights compared to CCAR-121 policy, while exemption policy broke the KTL limit for less time than CCAR-121 policy. The average time level of pilot fatigue attainment under exemption policy operations was higher than the target level and the operation level set by CCAR-121 policy. Empirical results from both the KSS subjective fatigue self-assessment method and the PVT objective alertness test confirm that the overall level of flight crew fatigue risk under the exemption policy is lower or similar to the level of flight crew fatigue risk under the CCAR-121 policy. ConclusionBy comparing FAID Quantum model simulations and empirical experimental validation under both CCAR-121 and exemption policies, it is verified that the fatigue risk level of pilot crews under exemption policy is lower than that under CCAR-121 policy, and it is feasible to implement exemption policy during the COVID-19 epidemic.

The sustained attention characteristics of flight crews on exempt and non-exempt flights

ABSTRACT We analyzed the characteristics of sustained attention changes in flight crews during exempt and non-exempt flights. Fourteen pilots (aged 30–43 y) participated in this study, with seven involved in each flight type, all of which were intercontinental (China to North America). Pilots completed continuous performance tests (CPT) at the required flight stages without compromising safety while on duty. No significant differences in sleep and sustained attention emerged between the exempt and non-exempt flight crews. Pilots’ fatigue was highest in the early morning hours. Their general stability of efficiency increased during the day and decreased at night. Non-exempt flight crews appeared to sacrifice reaction rate to improve accuracy. Exempt crews appeared to increase their test proficiency. The task stability time of the non-exempt flight crews was better than that of the exempt ones. Short-term stability was better for exempt inbound flights rather than for outbound ones. Pilots were more prone to error runs as their total time awake increased, especially on non-exempt flights. The addition of crew members to exempt flights, allowance for more in-flight rest shifts, and over-stop rest on non-exempt flights may alleviate pilot fatigue and preserve alertness.

Influence of Fatigue on Flight Safety: A Structural Equation Modeling Analysis

Abstract Currently, pilot fatigue is considered to be a significant factor that affects aviation safety. In order to investigate the impact of fatigue on flight safety, we design a questionnaire to conduct a survey on the pilots of Shandong Airline, process and analyze the data through the SPSSAU data analysis platform, and construct a structural equation between fatigue and pilot unsafe behaviors. The study findings indicate that there is a significant relationship between situational awareness, safety awareness, crew atmosphere, work pressure and pilot fatigue, and the higher the pilot fatigue level, the lower situational awareness and safety awareness, the worse crew atmosphere and the higher work pressure. Compared to physical fatigue, mental fatigue was more vulnerable to the above four factors, and at the same time, it was also more likely to lead to the pilot’s unsafe behaviors, thus threatening flight safety. Therefore, in order to guarantee flight safety, airlines and aviation administration should pay more attention to pilot’s mental fatigue problems.

The Improvement of Pilot Fatigue Management

The Improvement of Pilot Fatigue Management

Pilot fatigue survey: A study of the mutual influence among fatigue factors in the "work" dimension.

Fatigue risk management for pilots has received increasing attention. The existing fatigue management systems have detailed descriptions of the factors and the mutual influences among the factors that affect the dimension of "sleep", which is one of the most important causes of fatigue. However, the analysis of the influencing factors of the "work" dimension of fatigue causes has not been very detailed or accurate, especially the exploration of the mutual influence among many fatigue-influencing factors in the "work" dimension. The purpose of this study was to explore the mutual influence among fatigue-influencing factors related to the "work" dimension in the analysis of pilot fatigue causes. This study designed a questionnaire on the dimension of "work" in the causes of pilot fatigue and collected a total of 270 feedback data points from international flight pilots. Based on the questionnaires and data, descriptive statistical analysis, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were performed to explore the influencing factors and their mutual influences on the "work" dimension of pilot fatigue. There is a strong, mutual influence relationship among the fatigue causes of long-haul flight pilots - working status, working conditions and working schedules - in the dimension of "work". The workload only has a strong correlation with the working schedule, and the interaction relationships with the working status or working conditions are weak. This study analyses the mutual influence among the influencing factors of the "work" dimension of pilot fatigue, and we expect to provide empirical data for pilot fatigue risk management and to help improve fatigue risk management systems.

Professional-applied physical training of civil aviation pilots

The professional duties of civil aviation pilots in airlines involve prolonged periods of sedentary behavior in the cockpit and at airports. Lack of physical activity is a common source of work-related stress, and furthermore, low levels of physical activity are associated with daytime sleepiness and fatigue in pilots, which can have a negative impact on flight safety. The article focuses on professional-applied physical training of civil aviation pilots. The effect of professional-applied physical training of flight personnel on pilots reaction rate, i.e., their performance, as well as on their ability to eliminate nervous and mental state, which is especially important in critical situations, is evaluated. The author has analyzed the sources and identified the most common diseases in civil aviation pilots. The article also highlights the method of evaluating professional and important qualities of civil aviation pilots, which was carried out with the help of a survey among active pilots of AirBridgeCargo Airlines LLC. The survey indicators are presented in the form of a table. According to the survey, we can conclude about the significant professional and important qualities in civil aviation pilots, which are necessary for the successful mastering of the profession. As the issue of professionally important qualities as a model of an ideal image of a civil aviation pilot remains relevant regardless of time, this paper is also not irrelevant, as it is necessary to identify and understand the most important qualities for the pilot job, which should be paid attention to when passing the selection process in the airline. This article may be useful for specialists in the aviation industry.

Pilot Fatigue Experience and Fatigue Reporting: Short-Haul Airline Operation

The specifics of a short-haul operation relate to high crew workload, higher levels of sleepiness and/or drowsiness caused by sleep loss/deprivation, and many times, insufficient recovery time. Along with the changeover to EASA FTL's and the introduction of the Fatigue Risk Management approach, this paper focuses on fatigue perception and fatigue reporting provided by airline pilots flying for a UK-based short-haul airline. Objective. - To assess the fatigue perception and experience of airline pilots involved in short-haul operations, after the adoption of EASA FTL's, and after establishing the Fatigue Risk Management. Method. - Professional airline pilots flying on short-haul routes for a UK based airline participated in a survey between December 2016 and January 2017 and provided their views on fatigue incidence and experience and shared their knowledge about fatigue reporting. Results. - Although there is a high level of awareness about the importance of fatigue reporting, pilot fatigue on short-haul, mainly as a consequence of long duty hours and extended duties, can lead to work-life imbalance, higher fatigue levels as well as health-related issues. Conclusions. - This paper gave hindsight and added some evidence about the knowledge of fatigue reporting amongst short-haul pilots, and their experience and incidence of fatigue, a few months into the new EASA FTL scheme.

Fatigue detection method for UAV remote pilot based on multi feature fusion

<abstract> <p>In recent years, UAV industry is developing rapidly and vigorously. However, so far, there is no relevant research on the fatigue detection method for UAV remote pilot, which is the core technology to ensure the flight safety of UAV. Aiming at this problem, a fatigue detection method for UAV remote pilot is proposed in this paper. Specifically, we first build a UAV operator fatigue detection database (OFDD). By analyzing the fatigue features in the database, we find that multiple facial features are highly correlated to the fatigue state, especially the head posture, and the temporal information is essential for distinguish between yawn and speaking in the study of UAV remote pilot fatigue detection. Based on these findings, a fatigue detection method for UAV remote pilots was proposed by efficiently locating the related facial regions, a multiple features extraction module to extract the eye, mouth and head posture features, and an efficient temporal fatigue decision module based on SVM. The experimental results show that this method not only performs well on the traditional driver dataset, but also achieves an accuracy rate of 97.05%; and it achieves the highest detection accuracy rate of 97.32% on the UAV remote pilots fatigue detection dataset OFDD.</p> </abstract>

Integrated Modeling of Fatigue Impacts on C-17 Approach and Landing Performance

ABSTRACT Objective The current effort develops an initial integrated model of fatigue in the context of C-17 approach and landing operations. Specifically, we integrate a biomathematical fatigue model with a task network model to estimate pilot performance degradation. Background Fatigue risk management is a critical process in aviation and flight deck operations, given its dramatic impact on aviation safety and pilot health. Biomathematical fatigue models are useful tools in several aviation fatigue risk management programs that can be embedded in electronic device applications. However, these tools are limited in terms of identifying specific performance outcomes affected by fatigue, as well as individualizing fatigue estimates to individual pilots. Integrating computational cognitive models and biomathematical fatigue models can help address these issues. Methods Forty-four aircrew members completed the study with 10 performing 33 landings with sets of corresponding actigraph data and C-17 performance metrics. We developed a task network model of C-17 approach and landing operations and integrated biomathematical fatigue model predictions based on actigraph data from the aircrew. We then compared predictions from this integrated model with C-17 performance metrics from the missions. Results We successfully predicted delays in setting flaps, landing gear, and engaging the speed brake. Conclusion After further development and validation, this integrated model can be implemented within an application to provide real-time information on pilot fatigue and expected performance on specific aircraft operations.

SEMG-based fighter pilot muscle fatigue analysis and operation performance research

Fatigue has a tremendously adverse impact on pilot performance. This study aims to explore the Biceps Brachii (BB), Rectus Femoris (RF), Flexor Carpi Radialis (FCR), and Tibialis Anterior (TA) activities of fighter pilots in the early and late combat stages, and the target hitting time. A total of 13 volunteers were recruited to conduct simulated combats inside a real fighter cockpit. The surface Electromyography (sEMG) was collected from all volunteers in the initial and final 20s of flight, and the target hitting time during three simulated combats was recorded. The root mean square (RMS) values of right BB and TA were significantly higher than the left side values (p ​< ​0.001), while insignificant differences were found in the RMS values between the bilateral RF and FCR. Compared to the early flight period, the median frequency (MF) values of BB and TA were significantly lower during the late flight period, and the RMS values were significantly higher (p ​< ​0.047). Contrastively, the RMS values of FCR and RF differed insignificantly during the late flight period. Regarding the target hitting time, a significant difference was noted between task 1 and rask3. Subjects exhibit varying levels of muscle fatigue for different muscle groups before and after the flight. The muscle fatigue levels are asymmetrical on the left and right sides. Muscle fatigue might reduce the pilots' operational ability. This study provides a reference for fighter pilot fatigue protection and treatment.

Inferring Cognitive State of Pilot’s Brain Under Different Maneuvers During Flight

This work designs an adversarial Bayesian deep network to solve the cognitive detection of pilot fatigue. Batch normalization and data enhancement are adopted in the posterior inference of the proposed model parameters to effectively improve the generalization of neural networks. The generator is used to enhance the brain power map generated from three cognitive indicators and improve the accuracy of fatigue state recognition. This work also adds adversarial noise in the vicinity of each brain electrode to form an adversarial image, which further reveals the correlation between the cognitive state of brain and the location of brain regions. Compared with other deep models and parameter optimization methods, our model achieves better detection accuracy.

Problems of hygienic regulation of working conditions in civil aviation and ways to solve them (literature review)

The analysis of the current and cancelled documents concerning the regulation of working conditions in civil aviation (CA) is carried out. There have been established significant factors of working environment and workload, their relationship with indicators of the health status of flight personnel, the development of fatigue and the risks of aviation accidents (AA) has been proved. The design of the study included a multifactorial analysis of the impact of working conditions on the functional state, occupational morbidity and accident rate of CA pilots with the establishment of a list of mandatory factors for rationing and control of the production environment and the labour process. The analysis of sanitary and hygienic characteristics of working conditions, health data was carried out based on the results of retrospective studies of the clinic of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution “Izmerov Research Institute of Occupational Health”, publications indexed in the databases Scopus, Web of Science, RSCI and official statistical collections. Own experimental studies were conducted among one hundred twenty pilots of the case-control type, including the analysis of 10324 standard operating procedures for aircraft management, 59670 studies within the framework of psychophysiological testing, as well as the analysis of 83 AA. The necessity of adjusting the regulatory framework with the expansion of indicators for the normalization of working conditions in terms of the intensity of the labour process is proved. New criteria are proposed to be used for assessing information, intellectual, emotional loads, expanding the boundaries of sensory loads with the allocation of class 3.3 - according factors working load. Proposals have been developed to make additions to SP 2.5.3650-20 for flight crew members and air traffic controllers concerning requirements for all missed and obligatory factors of working conditions; a list of production factors obligatory for control during a special assessment of working conditions at the workplaces of aircraft crew members; new methodological documents relating to the assessment of indicators of the intensity of the labour process, the assessment of the personal risk of fatigue in pilots, conducting psychophysiological studies using a video oculograph, the procedure for conducting special assessment of working conditions, a general assessment of professional risks intended for the implementation of regulatory requirements.

86 Sleep and Fatigue in Residency: Identifying Needs for a Pilot Fatigue Risk Management Plan

Abstract Background Fatigue is inevitable in healthcare professions, given that patient care is provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Due to the potential for fatigue to decrease both physiological and cognitive performance, fatigue in healthcare professionals comes with an elevated risk for both patients and providers. Residents in particular are at high risk for fatigue given the demands of post-graduate training. Fatigue negatively impacts a resident physician's own health and wellbeing and, importantly, increases the risk of serious medical errors affecting patient safety. Given that fatigue is an inevitable aspect of healthcare training, it is a resident training program's responsibility to ensure that residents can work safely when fatigued to minimize harm to themselves and their patients. The National Steering Committee on Resident Duty Hours in Canada recommended that all residency programs develop a Fatigue Risk Management Plan (FRMP) to address this issue. Objectives The University of Ottawa Pediatrics Residency program was tasked to create and pilot a fatigue risk management plan (FRMP) for their residents with support from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC); the first step in the project involved determining the present state of fatigue in the training program. The aim of this study was to perform a baseline fatigue scan of current residents to further quantify the risk and explore the residents’ experience involving fatigue during their training. Design/Methods Twenty-six pediatric residents completed demographic surveys and 14-day diaries to assess sleep quantities/patterns and pre- and post-shift fatigue levels. Focus groups further explored fatigue experiences during training. Quantitative data identified shifts with high-risk of fatigue-related errors, with previous research suggesting cut-offs of &amp;lt;5h of sleep in the previous 24h or &amp;lt;12h in 48h, and shift length &amp;gt; 10h. Qualitative thematic analysis was performed to draw key themes from the focus groups. Results Sleep diaries captured 111 work shifts, with longest shifts being 26h on-call. Our data showed that 48.6% of shifts were greater than 10h, 11.9% of shifts residents had &amp;lt;12h of sleep in the preceding 48h, 2% of shifts residents had &amp;lt;5h in the past 24h. 12.9% of pre-shift wakefulness levels and 30.9% of post-shift levels were in the severe (score 8-9) range. Analysis of focus groups identified key themes: (1) Organizational Fatigue Prevention/Management Strategies, (2) Organizational culture factors influencing perceptions/attitudes towards fatigue, (3) Recognizing Fatigue in Self, and (4) Barriers to Sleep/Contributing Factors to Fatigue at Work. Conclusion This study provides a baseline of current residents’ fatigue levels, suggesting a proportion of shifts were high-risk for fatigue-related errors based on prior sleep-wake data. Key themes identified potential topics for educational interventions as well as targets for organizational improvements with regards to fatigue risk management. This data will be the basis of next steps to implement an FRMP within our organization.