A survey of aircrew fatigue in a sample of U.S. Army aviation personnel.
BACKGROUND
Recently published data on military aviation mishaps suggest aircrew fatigue remains a flight-safety problem.


METHODS
In the current study, a questionnaire was administered to 241 Army aviators and 120 Army enlisted crew members.


RESULTS
Inadequate sleep and/or insufficient sleep quality is reportedly 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 h per night, which is 1 h 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.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate the importance of continuing to stress fatigue-reduction strategies in training and operational environments.
Caldwell
John A
JA
Sustained Operations Research, United States Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory, Fort Rucker, AL 36362-0577, USA. john.caldwell@se.amedd.army.mil
Gilreath
Steven R
SR
D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D005221:Fatigue / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008889:Military Personnel; D012890:Sleep; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance