Navigating Fatigue in Civil Aviation

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Table of Contents

Executive Summary
Introduction
Methodology
Findings
Conclusions
Recommendations

Executive Summary

The article is devoted to the problem of fatigue in civil aviation pilots and possible ways to overcome this problem. This article was based on brief but thoughtful interviews with pilots about their unique experiences in the civil aviation industry and dealing with fatigue. Such a topic was chosen for the study since the investigator believed that, at the moment, civil aviation companies do not have developed operating algorithms for fixing fatigue and helping pilots. The administration must pay increased attention to fatigue among pilots to reduce risks to the crew and passengers and reduce staff turnover caused by a lack of assistance and support.

The study aimed to find predictors of fatigue based on pilots’ answers to open-ended interview questions. Subsequently, an in-depth analysis of the responses was carried out, and general trends were found. Such a study should help pilots pay attention to their feelings and choose the right way to mitigate fatigue since not all of the existing methods discussed are adequate and useful in the long run.

The scope of the study is not enormous, which is one of its main limitations. The reduction was due to the inability to interview many pilots due to time constraints and measures against COVID-19. The theoretical scope, however, covered 50 references and made it possible to divide the main study into three broad sections: the definition of fatigue, manifestations of fatigue, and mitigations. The study used a qualitative design that allowed the author to focus on the interview details rather than the number of interviewees. The primary research method was an interview conducted through the Zoom application, followed by a theoretical analysis of the sources.

The author found that pilots vividly describe the experience of fatigue, indicating that they are often in this state. Many complained about demotivation, a significant danger for aviation subject to strict standards. In mitigation, most pilots prefer to either stop the physical symptoms of fatigue (migraines, drowsiness) or record fatigue in reports, thus warning the crew. Recommendations for the research were new searches for mitigations and algorithmic support for the administration. The increased attention of doctors to the mental health of pilots and holding periodic consultations is an adequate solution to the issue that needs to be considered.

Introduction

The issue of this project is raised in connection with the severe consequences that affect the entire civil aviation industry. Inattention to the problem of fatigue and lack of critical analysis will lead to errors by pilots, engineers, managers, and doctors. These mistakes, in turn, will increase employee turnover, risks for passengers and crew, and reduce the overall motivation of workers in an industry still struggling to overcome the effects of COVID-19. This report was written for a reasoned critique of a study claiming responsibility for helping pilots deal with burnout and fatigue. The information will focus on criticism of the research methodology, main findings, and conclusions. Subsequently, the author will provide recommendations for further research on similar topics, showing the possibilities to avoid the mistakes made. Such bids will help other authors in the future, when creating similar studies, to place the proper emphasis and highlight practical trends that will bring the project closer to implementation.

Methodology

For this study, the Zoom interview was the primary method. The questions were open to the pilots, which seemed to be the best way for the workers to highlight trends in fatigue and share their unique experiences. However, such interviews complicate the compilation of summaries since each person’s speech is individual. The stories of the pilots had varying depth and meaningfulness. Only about two or three pilots paid attention to particular aspects that turned out to be one of the most important in the course of the study. Interview parsing, transcription, and coding due to these factors became more complicated and took much more time than initially planned.

The next shortcoming in the methodology was the lack of training of pilots before the interview. The author gave them a detailed but briefing immediately before the start of the survey. After the procedure, the author realized this was not enough. If the pilots had known about the study in advance (topic and goals), they would have thought through their answers. Email alerts might suffice for them, but, possibly, consideration could be given to creating test questionnaires in printed form. These questionnaires would structure the interview process for the pilots, and they would feel more relaxed.

The collection of information received in the interview was subject to standards, and for this, the author used Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word. Microsoft Excel in a convenient tabular form made it possible to grasp information and compare one answer with another quickly; for brief notes, a standard Notepad was used. During the interview, it is better not to use a printed Notepad but to get by with a paper notebook since the clatter of the keys will annoy the interviewee. One pilot complained about this after the end of the study.

The interviews do not consider opportunities for participatory pilots; however, this could be useful for their brainstorming. The lack of brainstorming among pilots has negatively affected the identification of specific features of burnout and fatigue, as well as proposals for mitigation. Nevertheless, if the author brainstormed with the pilots in the middle of the interview, it would significantly increase the time of the interview itself.

Findings

The study does not take into account, although it mentions the factor of the significance of family conflicts and the general atmosphere in personal life. Pilots may experience irritability and dissatisfaction, regardless of high loads, if they cannot rest at home and if there are conflicts with relatives. For example, divorce from a spouse, separation from children, or the illness of a close relative can be severe depressive factors affecting concentration and sleep problems. In addition, the study does not pay any attention to what pilots in such situations can do. For example, when reporting fatigue, pilots may refer to these specific events and their privacy. This ethical and psychological point should be considered in further studies on similar topics.

The study decided not to focus on mitigation methods that are unsuitable for pilots or currently outdated. Their mention would be helpful for young pilots to avoid mistakes in mitigation, as well as for other researchers. The scale of the findings did not turn out to be comprehensive since the number of participants constrained the mentioned phenomena and possible solutions. If more pilots were interviewed, more fatigue phenomena or mitigation methods would be suggested.

The proposed analysis of the results showed a specific knowledge of the author in the field of medicine and psychology but again demonstrated a lack of professionalism and thorough education. The selection of literature for the author was a big problem. It took a lot of time, as it had to come into contact with the fields of ergonomics, psychology, information technology, medicine, and management. The analysis of the results shifted from paragraph to paragraph to a different area, considering either the psychological aspect, the physiological, or the organizational one. It took the author extra time to smooth the corners and move logically from one subtopic to another. In many ways, the provision of three diagrams played an additional positive role but slowed down the work time. Other investigators can pay attention to the fact that all charts have a similar appearance, which is both a factor in readability and a lack of diversity in analytics when visualizing the problems discussed.

Conclusions

At the end of the study, the author made almost no emphasis on the additional definition of fatigue. In addition, the final research ignored the literary analysis and its combination with the conducted interviews. The author decided not to pay special attention to the pharmacological research of medicines pilots use for vigor. At the same time, the effect of caffeine on the human body could also take an increased time of study if it became even more profound. The pharmacological analysis would be helpful in a situation where drugs affect the nervous system of pilots. However, such an analysis requires a new group of specialists, if not increased research time. There need to be at least one psychotherapist (a person with a license and experience in prescribing antidepressants) or a doctor of another specialization.

Recommendations

The primary recommendation for further studies is to set the time for each study stage. If there is a time shift, but the study intends to use interviews and quantitative design, then a support team will be needed. If five or six specialists are conducting the survey simultaneously, then their short work on identical patterns can reduce the time of the experiment. At the same time, a group of people will be able to cover a large sample, making the study large-scale. It is essential to follow the uniform developed standards so that the analysis of the information received during the interview is not delayed. Consideration should be given to having people of the same specialty (ergonomists, managers, or psychologists) interview people in the same direction. Undoubtedly, the doctor and the manager will ask interviewees different leading questions, take radically different notes, and, in general, communicate differently with pilots.

In addition, performing part of the interviews in groups is recommended, allowing for the possibility of brainstorming among colleagues. Such group interviews should be conducted by two specialists since one will not be able to hold the attention of people passionately discussing the problem. Brainstorming can be done outside of the primary interviews but before them. Then pilots or any other specialists will be able to give thoughtful answers to questions, not what comes to their minds first.

In contrast to the quantitative design and large-scale studies, it is recommended to conduct studies that are extended over time. The author recommends focusing on panel studies and longitudinal studies. Such studies will help to understand the psychological factors of family problems that affect the work of pilots. As the months or years of the study progress, family relationships will change, and pilots’ answers to crucial questions may vary; there may be a question of privacy for pilots. This study was susceptible to pilots’ privacy, so it is recommended to create short questions for written questionnaires or interviews that do not force participants to describe family feuds vividly. It is recommended that pilots and other professionals be provided with scale charts or half-drawn diagrams that will allow them to visualize the problem. It should always be remembered that fatigue cannot be easily identified in negative or positive questionnaires. Rather investigations should pay increased attention to other specialists in civil aviation: stewards, engineers, and mechanics.

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