Fatigue Countermeasures: Alertness Management in Flight Operations

Abstract

Since 1980, the NASA Ames Fatigue Countermeasures Program has studied the effects and impact of fatigue on flight operations . Sleep loss and circadian disruption are two of the primary physiological factors that underlie fatigue in flight operations. The Program has developed an array of fatigue countermeasure recommendations that can be used to combat the effects of fatigue and continues to research potential new countermeasures. For example, one such strategy involved a NASA/FAA study on the effects of planned cockpit rest to improve crewmember alertness and performance. Based partly on the study results, the FAA is currently reviewing a proposed Advisory Circular for controlled rest on the flight deck. Since there is no simple answer to the issue of fatigue in aviation, an Education and Training Module has been developed to provide the industry with pertinent information on sleep, circadian rhythms, how flight operations affect these physiological factors, and recommendations for fatigue countermeasures. The Module will be updated as the Program's continued research efforts uncover new information and develop new countermeasure strategies,

Authors

• Co, E. L. NASA Ames Research Center
• Rosekind, M. R. NASA Ames Research Center
• Johnson, J. M. NASA Ames Research Center
• Weldon, K. J. NASA Ames Research Center
• Smith, R. M. NASA Ames Research Center
• Gregory, K. G. NASA Ames Research Center
• Miller, D. L. NASA Ames Research Center
• Gander, P. H. NASA Ames Research Center
• Lebacqz, J. V. NASA Ames Research Center
• Statler, Irving C.