Fatigue in Naval Tactical Aviators
Abstract
Surveys were distributed to 78 tactical aviators in two groups to determine their sleeping habits and any problems with fatigue. All aircrews surveyed had completed a minimum of one fleet tour and included only Naval and Marine Corps aircrews in the F/A-18 and the F-14 communities. The results of the survey suggest that tactical aviators believe their job performance is compromised by fatigue. Tactical aviators in the first group indicated that they believed that fatigue affected their performance on a weekly basis. About one third of tactical aviators indicated that they had fallen asleep in the cockpit at least once, with an average of three times in their careers. Their fatigue does not appear to result from sleep deprivation. It may result from working long days and having to shift their sleep cycle to meet scheduling requirements. Given the cost of a mishap or accident, and the complaints of fatigue, serious consideration should be given to efforts to decrease the extent of tactical aviator fatigue.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 20, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA400147
Entities
People
- Diane Williams
- Jackson Streeter
- Tamsin Kelly
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center