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Publication AbstractsA Survey of Aircrew Fatigue in a Sample of U.S. Army Aviation PersonnelJohn A. Caldwell and Steven R. GilreathAviat Space Environ Med 2002; 73:472-80 AbstractBackground: Recently published data on military aviation mishaps suggest aircrew fatigue remains a flight-safety problem. Methods: In the current study, a questionnaire was administered to 241 Army aviators and 120 Army enlisted crew members. Results: Inadequate sleep and/or insufficient sleep quality is reportedly adversely affecting on-the-job alertness. The requirements to work a variety of schedules and to travel/work away from home are likely contributing to less than optimal sleep quality; however, a number of personnel may be suffering from sleep deprivation due to intentional sleep restriction as well. The personnel surveyed in this study indicated they were sleeping less than 7 h per night, which is 1 h less than the amount recommended by sleep specialists. This insufficient sleep, combined with rotating schedules and other work demands, no doubt contributed to the perceptions of three-quarters of the present sample that fatigue is a widespread problem in the military aviation community. Conclusion: These results indicate the importance of continuing to stress fatigue-reduction strategies in training and operational environments.Keywords: survey, aviation, fatigue, sleep, flight safety. Information on subscribing, and on obtaining copies of an article or of an entire issue. Table of Contents for Volume 73, Number 5 of the ASME journal.
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