Submitting Campus

Daytona Beach

Department

Aeronautical Science

Document Type

Article

Publication/Presentation Date

5-20-2020

Abstract/Description

Fatigue can be deleterious to pilot performance. The National Transportation Safety Board has called on the aviation community to reduce fatigue related accidents. Currently, there are few studies and guidance specific to collegiate aviation pilots. The current study is part of a larger effort by the authors to gain a clearer understanding of fatigue within the collegiate aviation environment. Collegiate aviation pilots are a unique group with different schedules, lifestyles, and demands when compared to airline, military, and on-demand pilots. The purpose of this study was to examine self-reported fatigue and sleepiness measures. Research instruments included the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale and the Samn-Perelli Fatigue Scale. The research team recruitedthirty-two collegiate aviation pilots from a large Midwestern university. Participants were asked to record their sleepiness and fatigue ratings four times a day, at intervals, for a total of four weeks over four months. Approximately 5,000 total data points were collected. Results indicated a significant difference between the times of day. The 8:00 a.m. recording time had the highest median fatigue and sleepiness score. There were no significant differences between the days of the week. However, overall median fatigue and sleepiness scores indicated participants were slightly fatigued and sleepy throughout the data collection period.

Publication Title

Collegiate Aviation Review International

DOI

https://doi.org/10.22488/okstate.20.100209

Publisher

University Aviation Association

Additional Information

Dr. Mendonca was not affiliated with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University at the time this paper was published.

Download

Share

COinS