MUMBAI: Prolonged flying duties surpassing 10 hours per day, consecutive night shifts, rapidly rotating weekly rosters disrupting circadian rhythms, and schedules strictly adhering to the bare minimum mandated rest periods were identified as the primary factors contributing to pilot fatigue, according to the findings of a recent survey conducted by a non-governmental organisation.
The survey, which garnered responses from 530 airline pilots in India, predominantly captains operating domestic and international flights lasting under six hours, revealed that approximately 70% of pilots considered flight duty periods exceeding 10 hours to have a profound impact on the onset of fatigue, as stated in the survey report published by Safety Matters Foundation. Currently, India allows airlines to schedule pilots for flight duty periods of up to 13 hours within a 24-hour timeframe.
Exacerbating the issue of extended duty hours were frequent “tail swaps,” which 63% of pilots cited as a contributing factor to fatigue. Tail swaps, a term used in the airline industry, refer to a change of aircraft. However, the crew cannot directly transfer from one aircraft to another. “The crew must disembark from the aircraft, proceed to the terminal building, and undergo security screening before boarding the next aircraft. Frequent tail swaps, when combined with other factors such as maximum flight duty, minimum rest, and multiple landings, can compound the increase of fatigue,” the survey stated.
“The survey findings and recommendations were submitted to DGCA last week,” stated Capt Amit Singh of Safety Matters Foundation.
In addition to answering survey questions, 177 pilots provided comments that shed light on the work-life balance of pilots in India. Roster instability emerged as the primary grievance in the comments.
One captain shared an example where his airline woke him up at 2:30 am to inform him not to report for duty at 5 am as scheduled, as it would violate the minimum mandated rest period. Other complaints included excessive layovers, with pilots returning home for just one day after working layover flights for 6-7 days, as the pilot’s base station no longer holds significance.
Another pilot highlighted an increase in errors during landings and take-offs among crew members due to fatigue, and airlines not granting leave, among other issues.
“In recent years, the number of Indian pilots who have been declared temporarily or permanently medically unfit has risen,” noted Capt Singh, emphasising that fatigue is a significant contributory factor to cardiac disease.
In August of the previous year, a 40-year-old IndiGo pilot suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away in the security hold area of Nagpur airport, just minutes before he was scheduled to operate a flight to Pune.
This incident brought to light a range of fatigue-related issues afflicting airline pilots and prompted the regulator to review the norms governing maximum permissible duty periods & minimum rest periods when rostering pilots for flying duties.
In Jan this year, DGCA had issued a reformed set of norms with a strict June 1 deadline for airlines to implement. However, in March, following representations made by airlines to the ministry, DGCA withdrew the deadline.
The survey, which garnered responses from 530 airline pilots in India, predominantly captains operating domestic and international flights lasting under six hours, revealed that approximately 70% of pilots considered flight duty periods exceeding 10 hours to have a profound impact on the onset of fatigue, as stated in the survey report published by Safety Matters Foundation. Currently, India allows airlines to schedule pilots for flight duty periods of up to 13 hours within a 24-hour timeframe.
Exacerbating the issue of extended duty hours were frequent “tail swaps,” which 63% of pilots cited as a contributing factor to fatigue. Tail swaps, a term used in the airline industry, refer to a change of aircraft. However, the crew cannot directly transfer from one aircraft to another. “The crew must disembark from the aircraft, proceed to the terminal building, and undergo security screening before boarding the next aircraft. Frequent tail swaps, when combined with other factors such as maximum flight duty, minimum rest, and multiple landings, can compound the increase of fatigue,” the survey stated.
“The survey findings and recommendations were submitted to DGCA last week,” stated Capt Amit Singh of Safety Matters Foundation.
In addition to answering survey questions, 177 pilots provided comments that shed light on the work-life balance of pilots in India. Roster instability emerged as the primary grievance in the comments.
One captain shared an example where his airline woke him up at 2:30 am to inform him not to report for duty at 5 am as scheduled, as it would violate the minimum mandated rest period. Other complaints included excessive layovers, with pilots returning home for just one day after working layover flights for 6-7 days, as the pilot’s base station no longer holds significance.
Another pilot highlighted an increase in errors during landings and take-offs among crew members due to fatigue, and airlines not granting leave, among other issues.
“In recent years, the number of Indian pilots who have been declared temporarily or permanently medically unfit has risen,” noted Capt Singh, emphasising that fatigue is a significant contributory factor to cardiac disease.
In August of the previous year, a 40-year-old IndiGo pilot suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away in the security hold area of Nagpur airport, just minutes before he was scheduled to operate a flight to Pune.
This incident brought to light a range of fatigue-related issues afflicting airline pilots and prompted the regulator to review the norms governing maximum permissible duty periods & minimum rest periods when rostering pilots for flying duties.
In Jan this year, DGCA had issued a reformed set of norms with a strict June 1 deadline for airlines to implement. However, in March, following representations made by airlines to the ministry, DGCA withdrew the deadline.
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