Requirements Analysis and Architecture for an Operational Study of Fatigue in USAF Mobility Aircrew
Abstract
Aircrew fatigue in flight operations is a known hazard that has driven the creation of fatigue-reducing regulation and fatigue risk management systems industry wide. In addition, biomathematical models have been created and tested to forecast the effectiveness of aircrew under conditions of time-zone shifts and long duty days. However, limited operational studies exist to validate these models or to help understand how individual factors can affect them. Operational studies have a variety of limitations that make gathering typical data regarding fatigue or sleep difficult. This research takes systems requirement analysis approach to design a study that measures effects of circadian disruption on USAF C-17 Aircrew effectiveness. This study could then aid in understanding the effectiveness of fatigue-related regulation and fatigue risk management systems used in Air Force Mobility operations. The current research develops requirements of such a study through analysis of existing research as well as through a small-scale study to identify limiting factors for conducting such a study in an operational mobility squadron. The research further suggests additional research to explore the inclusion of fatigue monitoring into the Air Force Safety System, particularly for Air Force Mobility Operations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1157017
Entities
People
- Jonathan F Mecham
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology