Course: Human Factors in The Aviation/Aerospace Industry
Introduction
The aviation industry has been thriving despite manufacturing and human factors’ challenges. Among such challenges is achieving a full realization of anti-fatigue programs and related approaches to minimize spatial disorientation in the aviation industry. Crew-members, pilots and aviation personnel are often affected by elements such as fatigue, cognitive load, erratic work schedules, physical and social stressors. To mitigate these issues, regulatory agencies often turn to strategies that include anti-fatigue programs, techniques and technologies to eradicate spatial disorientation and optical illusions in flight. Nevertheless, results of such measures are often marginal as the issue continue to be a major cause for concerns in the aviation industry. Therefore, what are the principal factors affecting a full realization of anti-fatigue programs? Such answers shall allow pilots, aviation personnel and regulatory agencies to try new approaches and achieve the defined objective of anti-fatigue programs
Caldwell et al. concluded in their research on “ Fatigue Countermeasures in Aviation” that effective measures to be implemented by anti-fatigue programs shall include Non-medical or non-prescriptive fatigue risks management systems (Caldwell et al., 2009).
Discussion
Pilots and aviation personnel are affected by elements such as fatigue, cognitive load, physical stressors, social stressors, dysregulations due to erratic work schedules and the use of advanced technological devices. Basic conditions such as extreme temperatures, noise, toxins, crowding, isolation and anxiety are reported as also reported as causes of stress and fatigue(Guastello, 2014). They are among the main factors contributing to spatial disorientation and illusions in flight. From a contextual standpoint the manifestation of these physiological issues can be experienced in multiple ways. Illusions are commonly reported due to black holes, sky terrain confusion, nocturnal operations, inclination of the runway, decline of the ground, severe weather conditions and the width of the landing tracks light. Coriolis illusions, somathographic illusions and illusions by vection are also commonly reported (Sanchez-Tena et al., 2018)). Fatigue countermeasures being currently discussed and implemented includes both preventive and reactive measures. They can be classified in three categories: pre-flight measures, in-flight measures and post-flight measures. These measures often include rest schedules, fatigue risk management systems, cockpit napping, cockpit lighting, hypnotics, circadian adjustment, non-regulated substances and sleep-inducing agents (Caldwell et al., 2009). Nevertheless, remediation and prevention measures have been less than successful.
Recommendation
Regulatory agencies have explored both preventive and reactive solutions while implementing anti-fatigue programs. But the number of pilots and aviation personnel receiving or preferring reactive treatments highlights the issues with these programs. Circadian adjustments, sleep inducing agents, and non-regulated agents are being used because the implemented measured have not prevented the sensation of extreme fatigue and stress. Anti-fatigue programs also take a standardized approach which is not applicable to humans due to the complex and unique physiological structure of each subjects. Pilots and personnel’s’ health history, mental and physical condition, physiological response to each method, education level and specific external conditions and circumstances will differ from one subject to the other and from one circumstance to the other. It is important to note that such anti-fatigue programs do not account for the fact that humans develop a resistance to medication and fatigue countermeasures over time. It is therefore difficult to anticipate the inefficiency of a measure until an adverse action has occurred despite its implementation.
It is vital that regulatory agencies focus on preventive and conservative measures. Pilot and aviation personnel’s health must be the highest priority. A proposed solution is to establish a crew cycling plan that keep groups of pilots and workers on a specific shift regardless of time zones for their entire career. These work shifts shall be limited to six to eight hours per day to maximize performance and prevent adverse circumstances such as stress and fatigue. Treatment and medical means shall be exclusively reserved to cases where adverse actions occur despite preventive measures. Decision-makers shall prioritize education on the dangers of stress and fatigue, the importance of mitigating stressors and the importance of sleep. They shall consider closely monitoring each pilot and employee’s health to design countermeasures specific to each individual.
Conclusion
Regulatory agencies have yet to meet their objectives in terms of a successful implementation of anti-fatigue countermeasures. Crew-members, pilots and aviation personnel are often affected by elements such as fatigue, cognitive load, erratic work schedules, physical and social stressors. Countermeasures often include rest schedules, fatigue risk management systems, cockpit napping, cockpit lighting, hypnotics, circadian adjustment. Nevertheless, the issue remains a cause for concerns. A proposed solution is to establish a crew cycling plan that keep groups of pilots and workers on a specific shift regardless of time zones for their entire career. These work shifts shall be limited to six to eight hours per day to maximize performance and prevent adverse circumstances such as stress and fatigue. Along with adopting an approach focused on each specific individual or pilot, regulatory agencies shall prioritize and enforce education on the dangers of fatigue and stress and the importance of sleep.
References
Caldwell, J.A., Mallis, M.M., Caldwell, J.L., Paul, M.A., Miller, J.C., Neri, D.F. (2009). Fatigue
Countermeasures in Aviation, Aviation, Space and Environmental Medecine,80,29-59.
Sanchez-Tena, M.A., Alvarez-Peregrina, C., Valbuena-Iglesias, C., Palomera, P.R. (2018, March
19). Optical Illusions and Spatial Disorientation in Aviation Pilots. Journal of Medical
Systems, 42: 79. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-018-0935-4
Guastello, S. J. (2014). Human Factors Engineering and Ergonomics: A Systems Approach
(2nd Ed.) Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press of the Taylor & Francis Group.
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