Human Factor

Dr. Matthew Walker is Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, and Founder and Director of the Center for Human Sleep Science. He has published over 100 scientific studies and is the author of the book Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams. Which is currently the #1 Amazon Bestseller in Neuroscience . He has been featured on numerous television and radio outlets, including CBS 60 Minutes, National Geographic Channel, NOVA Science, NRP and the BBC.

Fatigue is an inevitable risk in aviation. As it cannot be completely eliminated, it must be managed. Data on fatigue and its impact on air transport safety is generally only obtained if there is an incident or accident. Fatigue is an inevitable risk in aviation where operations are conducted through all hours of the day and sometimes through multiple time zones. As fatigue cannot be completely eliminated, it must be appropriately managed. Fatigue is defined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (2016) as: …a physiological state of reduced mental or physical performance capability resulting from sleep loss or extended wakefulness, circadian phase, or workload (mental and/or physical activity) that can impair a person’s alertness and ability to perform safety related duties. Three broad aspects of fatigue relevant to aviation include rest obtained, rest opportunity provided, and organisational support.

The debate on Quality or Quantity is a must to focus on the needs rather than arbitrary assignment of resources. Standards of training and trainees...