Is Fatigue a Problem in Army Aviation: The Results of a Survey of Aviators and Aircrews

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Is Fatigue a Problem in Army Aviation: The Results of a Survey of Aviators and Aircrews

J. A. Caldwell / S. R. Gilreath / B. S. Erickson / N. K. Smythe

Recently published data on military aviation mishaps suggest aircrew fatigue remains a flight safety problem. The current study, in which the responses from 241 Army aviators and 120 Army enlisted crew members were analyzed, indicates that inadequate sleep and/or insufficient sleep quality is adversely affecting on-the-job alertness. The requirements to work a variety of schedules and to travel/work away from home are likely contributing to less than optimal sleep quality; however, a number of personnel may be suffering from sleep deprivation due to intentional sleep restriction as well. The personnel surveyed in this study indicated they were sleeping less than 7 hours per night which is 1 hour less than the amount recommended by sleep specialists. This insufficient sleep, combined with rotating schedules and other work demands, no doubt contributed to the perceptions of three-quarters of the present sample that fatigue is a widespread problem in the military aviation community. These results indicate the importance of continuing to stress fatigue-reduction strategies in training and operational environments.