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Controlled Rest: Profile of Use, Challenges, and Best PracticesDespite the introduction of flight, duty, and rest time regulations to reduce the risk of sleepiness, airline pilots often encounter elevated sleepiness during flight. To combat this sleepiness, in some instances, pilots can take a short nap on the flight deck (controlled rest) to improve their alertness. Little is known, however, as to when and how often this countermeasure is used operationally. Methods: Forty-four pilots from a European carrier wore actiwatches and filled in an electronic sleep and work diary for approximately 2 weeks resulting in data from 239 flights. Self-reported in-flight rest periods were used to set rest intervals and sleep was estimated within these intervals using Philips Actiware 6.0.9. Wake threshold selection was set to medium; sleep threshold detection algorithm was set to 10 immobile minutes at sleep onset and sleep end. Timing of sleep periods was analyzed relative to home base time. Results: Preliminary analyses showed that controlled rest was taken on 46% (n=110) of flights. On 23 flights (10%) pilots reported taking two controlled rest periods. Sleep, as estimated by actigraphy, was achieved during 80% (n=106) of controlled rest periods. The mean sleep duration was 32 (± 12) minutes estimated within successful controlled rest periods. Approximately two-thirds (67.5%, n=81) of all rest periods were initiated during home base time night (0000h-0800h). On 11% (n=26) of flights, pilots also reported taking bunk rest (longer rest period in a designated sleeping facility).Conclusion:This study shows that controlled rest is commonly used as a countermeasure to sleepiness on the flight deck. Further analysis is required to determine what other factors contribute to the decision to take controlled rest, and how effective it is in reducing sleepiness on the flight deck.
Document ID
20190033983
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Presentation
Authors
Hilditch, Cassie J.
(San Jose State Univ. San Jose, CA, United States)
Flynn-Evans, Erin E.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
December 16, 2019
Publication Date
October 1, 2019
Subject Category
Aeronautics (General)
Report/Patent Number
ARC-E-DAA-TN73921
Meeting Information
Meeting: Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS) Forum Meeting
Location: San Francisco, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: October 1, 2019
End Date: October 2, 2019
Sponsors: Fatigue Risk Management System Forum
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNX17AE07A
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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