Sleepiness among airplane pilots

It's often not reported (no doubt partly due to fear of bad public relations), but pilot sleepiness is a problem. Official statistics indicate that fatigue is involved in at least 4% to 8% of aviation mishaps.

Pilot fatigue happens in both civilian and military flights. The Air Force has programs to research and prevent pilot fatigue, as it can is likely to occur in military operations. Even in routine peacetime operations and civilian flights, surveys of aircrew members reveal that tiredness is a concern.

Now the FAA and other regulatory agencies around the world have rules limiting flight hours and ensuring at least minimal periods of crew rest. This has alleviated much of the concern and helps a lot. But it is clear that droswy flying remains a potential problem and something flight operations people and airlines have to watch out for.

A study published in 2006 in Aviation, space, and environmental medicine found that on transatlantic flights crews with only 2 pilots had more sleepiness and more potential for negative effects of sleeplessness (lower performance, bad mood) than crews with 3 pilots.

Resources

Avoiding Drowsy Driving

Countermeasures

Responsibility and the Drowsy Driver

Signs of Drowsiness when Driving

How Well Are You Sleeping? - FDA Consumer Article

Circadian gene helps brain predict mealtime

Sleep less, live longer? - Increased Death Rate Associated
With Sleeping 8 Hours or More

Circadan Rythyms

"And miles to go before I sleep"

(Robert Frost, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening)