Three out of four pilots experienced a microsleep at least once every four weeks. Just as many report not being able to recover adequately between flight services. This is the conclusion of a study by the European professional association, the European Cockpit Association (ECA).
Nearly 7,000 pilots from 31 European countries were surveyed. The main result: many employees feel increasingly overtired due to long working hours and short breaks. For example, it is ordered to extend the maximum allowed service time for the crew. One possible reason is detours due to bad weather. Almost every fifth of the respondents indicated that they had made such a decision in the four weeks prior to the survey.
Airline issues?
The clear majority (60 percent) feared problems with the airline if they refused a longer flight and ordered a stopover to change crews instead. According to the Austrian Cockpit Association (ACA), this is not only a problem for summer activities. In Austria, at least 21.8 percent trust their airline’s reporting system when they are tired, which is intended to improve safety on board. In total, however, only one tenth of the respondents indicate that this actually happens when corresponding reports are received.
Results for individual airlines have not been disclosed. In Austria, fewer pilots are afraid of the consequences if they refuse a longer flight time. Even before the summer operation, it was pointed out that airlines should plan sufficient buffers and not rely on pilots systematically extending their maximum flight duty time.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
