Scheduling Aircrews 2: Nighttime Missions
Abstract
The objective of this Memorandum was to develop aircrew work-rest guidance that deals with the shift lag issues associated with nighttime missions; for example, scheduling night-vision-goggle training sorties. It was hoped that this guidance could be used by operational commanders to determine when best to employ their crews. The calculations in this TM were based upon the U.S. Department of Defense Sleep, Activity, Fatigue, and Task Effectiveness (SAFTE) applied model. The SAFTE applied model integrated the effects of length of prior wakefulness, amount of sleep and circadian rhythm. This applied model was implemented in the Windows program, Fatigue Avoidance Scheduling Tool (FAST(trademark), NTI Inc., Dayton OH), which was used to make the calculations and to draw the figures shown in this Memorandum. Guidance was presented for military aviation training missions by the quarter of the day. "Evening" missions generally operate within the period 1800-0000h and allow crews to accomplish their night approaches, landings and other required training, such as operations with NVGs. Occasionally, "night" missions are flown in the 0000-0600h period. Discussions were presented for flying before midnight (evening missions), flying after midnight (night missions), acclimation to permanent night missions, and re-acclimation to day work.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA435393
Entities
People
- James C Miller
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory