A significant portion of pilots are experiencing microsleep episodes while operating aircraft, with over three in four reporting at least one such incident in recent weeks, according to a study released by the European Cockpit Association (ECA). The findings are based on responses from 7,200 pilots across 32 European countries.
The survey also revealed that nearly 39% of pilots regularly do not get enough rest to prevent fatigue buildup. This lack of adequate rest is compounded by a reluctance among pilots to report when they feel too tired to fly, with only 37.2% stating they typically report such fatigue. Conversely, 24.2% admitted to flying despite feeling too fatigued.
"When pilots fear career consequences, fatigue goes unreported, and the risk returns to the cockpit," Capt. Coen George, an ECA board director, stated in a press release. He warned that this reluctance could leave airlines unaware of the full extent of fatigue among their crews.
In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented stricter pilot rest and duty requirements in 2012 to combat fatigue and enhance safety. These regulations mandate at least 10 consecutive hours of rest before a flight duty period, including an opportunity for eight uninterrupted hours of sleep. The FAA requires airlines to remove pilots from duty if they report feeling fatigued or unfit to fly.
Pilot fatigue can be particularly challenging due to factors like overnight work schedules and travel across multiple time zones, which disrupt natural sleep patterns. Matthew "Whiz" Buckley, a former U.S. Navy pilot and commercial airline captain, noted that even scheduled time off doesn't guarantee sufficient sleep, as pilots often sleep during the day after early morning arrivals. He emphasized that crossing multiple time zones, especially east-west, can significantly impact a pilot's body.
"At the end of the day... you know who determines if a pilot is fit to fly? You," Buckley stated, underscoring the ultimate responsibility pilots have in assessing their own fitness for duty.
Bobby Laurie, a travel expert and former flight attendant, called the survey's findings about microsleep episodes an "alarming number" that the industry must address. However, he cautioned that it does not necessarily mean flights are unsafe, as delays are sometimes posted for crew rest, which is a crucial safety measure. "If you find yourself at the airport, and the departure board is saying you're delayed due to crew rest … you need to realize that the delay is posted for safety reasons. You might not have gotten to your destination in one piece if those crew members did not get the rest they needed," he said.
The issue of rest requirements has also been under scrutiny for flight attendants in the U.S., with a proposed FAA rule aiming to prevent state and local governments from setting separate meal and rest-break requirements for flight attendants and pilots. Major flight attendant unions have opposed this proposal, citing existing instances where crew members work long hours without adequate breaks.