MUMBAI: Around 66% of 542 Indian pilots who took part in a recent survey on fatigue triggering “daytime sleepiness” admitted to dozing off in the co*ckpit without alerting their fellow crew members or experiencing microsleep episodes while on the job.
The survey covered pilots engaged in regional, domestic and international operations and measured their fatigue levels on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale.
“Based on their responses, it was found that about 54% of the pilots suffer from severe excessive daytime sleepiness while 41% suffer from moderate daytime sleepiness,” said the survey carried out by NGO
Safety Matters Foundation
. This explains why 66% pilots said they had experienced micro-sleep or unintentionally fallen asleep in the co*ckpit, said the survey.
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) defines fatigue as a physiological state of reduced mental or physical performance capability resulting from sleep loss or extended wakefulness, circadian phase, or workload that can impair a crew member’s alertness and ability to safely operate an aircraft or perform safety-related duties.
Fatigue is a known causal factor in aviation accidents and incidents. It was one of the contributory factors in the 2010 Mangalore crash which killed 158 people. “Residual sleepiness and impaired judgement were believed to have contributed to this accident. The co*ckpit voice recorder indicated that the Captain had been asleep for 1hr and 40 min of the 2hr and 5 min flight,” it said.
The pilots attributed back-to-back morning departures as the leading cause of fatigue (74%). The NGO’s founder, Capt Amit Singh, said: “The survey asked the pilot a question on the time they would get up if they had to report for a 6 am flight departure. Majority of the crew responded that they would wake up between 3am and 3:30am. This indicates that their body clock is interrupted at the most critical period of rest.
Circadian misalignment can make you feel drained and can have serious health consequences. Repeated flight duty in this period will not only affect sleep quality but over 10 -12 hrs duty will lead to poor cognition thereby affecting flight safety.”
FAQs
Around 66% of 542 Indian pilots who took part in a recent survey on fatigue triggering “daytime sleepiness” admitted to dozing off in the co*ckpit without alerting their fellow crew members or experiencing microsleep episodes while on the job. Fatigue is a known causal factor in aviation accidents and incidents.
How many pilots sleep in the co*ckpit? ›
“At any given time, a minimum of two pilots are in the co*ckpit, and the third pilot is on rest break.” He said four pilots would be assigned to longer flights and would work in teams of two. “The rest quarters can be a cordoned-off seat in first or business class, or a bunk room,” Smith wrote.
Is there a pilot shortage in India? ›
There is no shortage of pilots in the country. However, there is a shortage of Commanders on certain types of aircraft which is addressed by utilising foreign pilots through Foreign Aircrew Temporary Authorisation (FATA).
What are the chances of becoming a pilot in India? ›
About 400-500 commercial pilots graduate every year from various flight training schools in India, whereas the country would require about 1,000-1,100 pilots per year to meet the rising demand for air travel, new aircraft joining the fleet and newer routes getting added.
Do pilots have bathrooms in the co*ckpit? ›
How often do pilots have to go the bathroom? Long and short distance pilots are allowed to use the bathroom when they need to as long as the airplane is under control. Pilots use the same bathroom as the passengers, much to the delight of the younger (and sometimes older) people on board!
Who controls the plane when pilots sleep? ›
Aircraft Bunk Rest/Sleep for Pilots
The same two pilots are at the controls for take-off and landing whilst the other pilot(s) will take control for other segments of the flight to given the other pilots an opportunity to sleep.
What is the salary of an Indian pilot? ›
Average Pilot Salary In India.
| Profile | Starting Annual Salary (INR) | Mid-Range Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|
| Private Pilot | 7 L | 10 L – 22 L |
| Commercial Pilot | 8.75 L | 24 L |
| Captain, Air India | 25 L | 50 L – 75 L |
| Captain, Indigo | 30 L | 60 L – 90 L |
2 more rowsIf you would ask me about where to do flying, I would personally prefer doing the CPL training from an abroad country like USA or Canada. I had completed my pilot training from India, but I would still suggest to go abroad. I would still let you decide what suits you better.
Are pilots respected in India? ›
Pilots in India are highly trained and experienced professionals who are responsible for the safety of the passengers and crew aboard the aircraft they are flying. As a result, they are highly respected and have a great deal of job satisfaction.
How many pilots can sit in a co*ckpit? ›
On commercial airlines, there are always at least two pilots, and on many flights, there are three. All airline pilots have had extensive training and flying experience, often as part of military service.
Summary. 56-75% of commercial pilots admit to falling asleep inflight. 23% of aviation accidents are caused by pilot fatigue.
Do 2 pilots need to be in the co*ckpit at all times? ›
Whether it be a technological malfunction, a health issue or a communication problem, having two experts in the co*ckpit vastly improves the efficiency and safety of a flight. Even smaller private jets require two pilots.” One of the primary reasons for having two pilots is to ensure operational redundancy.
What do pilots do in the co*ckpit during long flights? ›
We're constantly monitoring the flight path, managing communications through different airspaces, discussing weather avoidance, diversion planning, coordinating our sleep, planning our arrival, just to name a few - there's lots to do to ensure we deliver a safe and enjoyable flight.
