Fatigue in Double-Crew Aerial-Refueled Transport Missions
Abstract
Military Airlift Command (MAC) contingency plans call for extending strategic airlift capability by flying C-5A aircraft with double crews and aerial refueling. This mode of operation is known as the Blue and Gold concept. Standard MAC operations limit the C-5A basic crew-duty day to 16 hours, after which a minimum en route crew-rest/ground time of 16.25 hours is required before flying duty can be resumed. Under the Blue and Gold concept, two crews, one designated Blue and the other Gold, alternate being on duty on the flight deck and off duty in crew rest. The mission progresses as the two crews alternate responsibility for the aircraft. Thus, under the Blue/Gold concept, all en route crew rest and sleep occur onboard the aircraft, and much of this time is while the aircraft is airborne. Self-ratings of subjective fatigue and sleep histories were used to evaluate crew fatigue during five Blue/Gold missions, two each of 32 and 56 hours and one of 44 hours.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA104754
Entities
People
- Gerald W. Noga
- Lowell A. Schuknecht
- Patrick J. Dowd
- William F. Storm
Organizations
- United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine