Skip to main content
Search
Search
    Quick Search anywhere
    Quick search in Citations
Advanced Search
Skip main navigationClose Drawer MenuOpen Drawer Menu
Previous article
Next article
Original Article

A Review of Federal Aviation Administration Fatigue Research

Transitioning Scientific Results to the Aviation Industry

Published Online:December 06, 2011https://doi.org/10.1027/2192-0923/a000016

Abstract

Human fatigue remains a significant challenge in aviation. Basic scientific research has studied fatigue and created a solid scientific understanding. Current efforts seek to transfer the available research into operational environments. This document reviews the research and development conducted by the US Federal Aviation Administration over the past 50 years and focuses on studies that have led to the successful transition from science into the aviation industry. Further, this article reviews current strategies and methods used to transition research into workplace operations.

References

  • Åkerstedt, T. (1995a). Work hours and sleepiness. Neurophysiologie Clinique, 25, 367–375. First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Åkerstedt, T. (1995b). Work hours, sleepiness and the underlying mechanisms. Journal of Sleep Research, 4, 15–22. First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Åkerstedt, T. , Knutsson, A. , Westerholm, P. , Theorell, T. , Alfredsson, L. , Keckland, G. (2004). Mental fatigue, work and sleep. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 57, 427–433. First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Arnedt, J. T. , Wilde, G. J. S. , Munt, P. W. , MacLean, A. W. (2001). How do prolonged wakefulness and alcohol compare in the decrements they produce on a simulated driving task?. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 33, 337–344. First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Avers, K. E. (2011a). FAA maintenance fatigue research: From science to the real world. Presentation at the Second Annual Maintenance Human Factors Leadership Workshop, Oklahoma City, OK. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Avers, K. E. (2011b). Maintenance fatigue: From science to workplace reality. Presentation at the MITRE Aviation Fatigue Symposium, Washington, DC. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Avers, K. E. , Banks, J. , Hauck, E. (2009). Fatigue issues for aviation maintenance. Slides presented at the 21st International Human Factors Maintenance and Ramp Safety Symposium, San Diego, CA. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Avers, K. , Hauck, E. , Blackwell, L. , Nesthus, T. (2009). Flight attendant fatigue. Part VI: Fatigue countermeasure training and potential benefits. (Technical Report DOT/FAA/AM-09/20). Washington, DC: FAA, Office of Aerospace Medicine. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Avers, K. , Johnson, B. , Banks, J. , & Nei, D. (2011). Prioritizing maintenance human factors challenges and solutions: Workshop proceedings. (Technical Report DOT/FAA/AM-11/11). Washington, DC: FAA, Office of Aerospace Medicine. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Avers, K. E. , Johnson, W. B. , Hauck, E. (2010). To sleep, perchance to rest: Combating maintenance fatigue with training. The Journal for Civil Aviation Training, 2, 28–31. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Avers, K. E. , King, S. , Nesthus, T. , Thomas, S. , Banks, J. (2009). Flight attendant fatigue. Part I: National duty, rest, and fatigue survey. (Technical Report DOT/FAA/AM-09/24). Washington, DC: FAA, Office of Aerospace Medicine. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Balke, B. , Melton, C. E. Jr , Blake, C. (1966). Physiological stress and fatigue in aerial missions for the control of forest fires. (Technical Report DOT/FAA/AM-66/03). Washington, DC: FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Banks, J. O. , Avers, K. E. (2011). The effect of fatigue countermeasures in aviation maintenance. Presentation at the 16th International Symposium on Aviation Psychology, Dayton, OH. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Banks, J. , Avers, K. E. , Nesthus, T. , Hauck, E. (2009). Flight attendant fatigue. Part V: A comparative study of international flight attendant fatigue regulations and collective bargaining agreements. (Technical Report DOT/FAA/AM-09/22). Washington, DC: FAA, Office of Aerospace Medicine. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Boquet, A. , Cruz, C. , Nesthus, T. E. , Detwiler, C. , Knecht, W. , Holcomb, K. (2002). A laboratory comparison of clockwise and counter-clockwise rapidly rotating shift schedules. Part III: Effects on core body temperature and neuroendocrine measures. (Technical Report DOT/FAA/AM-02/20). Washington, DC: FAA, Office of Aerospace Medicine. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Boquet, A. , Cruz, C. , Nesthus, T. , Detwiler, C. , Knecht, W. , Holcomb, K. (2004). Clockwise and counterclockwise rotating shifts: Effects on temperature and neuroendocrine measures. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 75, 898–904. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Caldwell, J. A. (1997). Fatigue in the aviation environment: An overview of the causes and effects as well as recommended countermeasures. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 68, 932–938. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Caldwell, J. A. (2005). Fatigue in aviation. Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease, 3, 85–96. First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Capps, M. J. , Collins, W. E. (1965). Auditory fatigue: Influence of mental factors. (Technical Report DOT/FAA/AM-65/1). Washington, DC: FAA, Office of Aviation Medicine. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Carr, W. , Drummond, S. P. , Nesthus, T. (2003). Neuroimaging sleep debt with FMRI in short- and long- sleepers. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 74, 902–903. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Carskadon, M. A. , Roth, T. (1991). Sleep restriction. In T. H. Monk, (Ed.), Sleep, sleepiness and performance (pp. 155–167). Chichester: Wiley. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Co, E. L. , Gregory, K. B. , Johnson, J. M. , Rosekind, M. R. (1999). Crew factors in flight operations. Part XI: A survey of fatigue factors in regional airline operations. (NASA/TM-1999-208799). Moffett Field, CA: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Ames Research Center. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Collins, W. E. , Capps, M. J. (1965). Effects of several mental tasks on auditory fatigue. (Technical Report DOT/FAA/AM-65/2). Washington, DC: FAA, Office of Aviation Medicine. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Costa, G. (1997). The problem: Shiftwork. Chronobiology International, 14(2), 89–98. First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Cruz, C. , Boquet, A. , Detwiler, C. , Nesthus, T. (2003). Clockwise and counterclockwise rotating shifts: Effects on vigilance and performance. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 74, 606–614. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Cruz, C. , Della Rocco, P. S. (1995). Sleep patterns in air traffic controllers working rapidly rotating shifts: A field study. (DOT/FAA/AM-95/12). Washington, DC: FAA, Office of Aviation Medicine. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Cruz, C. , Detwiler, C. , Nesthus, T. , Boquet, A. (2003). Clockwise and counterclockwise rotating shifts: Effects on sleep duration, timing, and quality. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 74, 597–605. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Della Rocco, P. S. (Ed.) (1999). The role of shift work and fatigue on air traffic control operational errors and incidents. (Technical Report DOT/FAA/AM-99/2). Washington, DC: FAA, Office of Aviation Medicine. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Della Rocco, P. S. , Cruz, C. E. (1995). Shift work, age, and performance: Investigation of the 2-2-1 shift schedule used in air traffic control facilities. Part I: The sleep/wake cycle. (Technical Report DOT/FAA/AM-95/19). Washington, DC: FAA, Office of Aviation Medicine. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Della Rocco, P. S. , Nesthus, T. (2005). Shiftwork and air traffic control: Transitioning research results to the workforce. In B. Kirwan, M. R. Rodgers, D. S. Schaefer, (Eds.), Human factors impacts in air traffic management (pp. 243–278). Burlington, VT: Ashgate. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Dinges, D. F. (1995). An overview of sleepiness and accidents. Journal of Sleep Research, 4, 4–14. First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Dodge, R. (1982). Circadian rhythms and fatigue: A discrimination of their effects on performance. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 53, 1131–1136. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Fiorica, V. (1966). Fatigue and stress studies: An improved semiautomated procedure for fluorometric determination of plasma catecholamines. (Technical Report DOT/FAA/AM-66/06). Washington, DC: FAA, Office of Aviation Medicine. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Gimbrere, P. F. (2011). The collaborative process and scientific methodology used by the FAA-NATCA Fatigue Workgroup to develop initial fatigue mitigation recommendations. Presentation at the MITRE Aviation Fatigue Symposium, Washington, D.C.. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Greeley, H. , Nesthus, T. (2007). Predicting fatigue using voice analysis. Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine, 78, 730–743. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Hackworth, H. , Holcomb, K. , Dennis, M. , Goldman, S. , Bates, C. , Schroeder, D. , Johnson, W. (2007). An international survey of maintenance human factors programs. (Technical Report DOT/FAA/AM-07/25). Washington, DC: FAA, Office of Aerospace Medicine. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Hall, S. , Johnson, W. B. , & Watson, J. (2001). Evaluation of aviation maintenance working environments, fatigue, and human performance: Phase III. Washington, DC: FAA, Office of Aviation Medicine. Retrieved November 17, 2011 from hfskyway.faa.gov/HFTest/Bibliography%20of%20Publications%5CHuman%20Factor%20Maintenance%5Cmaint_product782.pdf First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Hauty, G. T. , Adams, T. (1965). Pilot fatigue: Intercontinental jet flight: Oklahoma City–Tokyo. (Technical Report DOT/FAA/AM-65/16). Washington, DC: FAA, Office of Aviation Medicine. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Higgins, E. A. , Mertens, H. W. , McKenzie, J. M. , Funkhouser, G. E. , White, M. A. , Milburn, N. J. (1982). Effects of physical fatigue and altitude on physiological, biochemical, and performance responses. (Technical Report DOT/FAA/AM-82/10). Washington, DC: FAA, Office of Aviation Medicine. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Hobbs, A. , Avers, K. B. , Hiles, J. J. (2011). Fatigue risk management in aviation maintenance: Current best practices and potential future countermeasures. (Technical Report DOT/FAA/AM-11/10). Washington, DC: FAA, Office of Aerospace Medicine. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Holcomb, K. , Avers, K. E. , Dobbins, L. , Banks, J. , Blackwell, L. , Nesthus, T. (2009). Flight attendant fatigue. Part IV: Analysis of incident reports. (Technical Report DOT/FAA/AM-09/25). Washington, DC: FAA, Office of Aerospace Medicine. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Hursh, S. R. , Balkin, T. J. , Miller, J. C. , Eddy, D. R. (2004). The Fatigue Avoidance Scheduling Tool: Modeling to minimize the effects of fatigue on cognitive performance. SAE Transactions, 114, 111–119. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Huss, R. (2010). FAA: Air traffic organization fatigue risk management system development. Paper presented at the Aerospace Medical Association Meeting, Phoenix, AZ, May 11, 2010. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Johnson, W. B. (2011a). Proceedings for AVS Maintenance Fatigue Workshop. CSTA report. Retrieved June 5, 2011, from www.mxfatigue.com First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Johnson, W. B. (2011b). Fostering synergy to design and implement an FRMS strategy in aviation maintenance environments. Presented at the MITRE Conference on Fatigue in Aviation, McLean, VA, June 6–8, 2011. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Johnson, W. B. , Hackworth, C. . (2008, March). Human factors in maintenance: surveys reveal the importance of regulations mandating human factors programs. The Flight Safety Foundation AeroSafety World, 33舑40. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Johnson, W. B. , Hall, S. , & Watson, J. (2002). The current picture of rest among aviation maintenance technicians in airline environments. In Proceedings of the 16th Symposium on Human Factors in Aviation Maintenance. Joint meeting of CAA, FAA, and Transport Canada at the Hyatt Regency, San Francisco, CA, April 4–6, 2002. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Johnson, W. B. , Mason, F. , Hall, S. , & Watson, J. (2001). Evaluation of aviation maintenance working environments, fatigue, and human performance. Washington, DC: FAA, Office of Aviation Medicine. Retrieved November 17, 2011 from www.hf.faa.gov/docs/508/docs/WorkingEnvironments.pdf First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Lamond, N. , Dawson, D. , Roach, G. D. (2005). Fatigue assessment in the field: Validation of a hand-held electronic psychomotor vigilance task. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 76, 486–489. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Lategola, M. T. , Davis, A. W. Jr , Lyne, P. J. , Burr, M. J. (1978). Cardiorespiratory assessment of decongestant-antihistamine effects on altitude, +Gz, and fatigue tolerances. (Technical Report DOT/FAA/AM-78/20). Washington, DC: FAA, Office of Aviation Medicine. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Lategola, M. T. , Lyne, P. J. , & Burr, M. J. (1981). Cardiorespiratory assessment of 24-hour crash-diet effects on altitude, +Gz, and fatigue tolerances. (Technical Report DOT/FAA/AM-81/2). Washington, DC: FAA, Office of Aviation Medicine. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Lategola, M. T. , Lyne, P. J. , & Burr, M. J. (1982). Effects of prior physical exertion on tolerance to hypoxia, orthostatic stress, and physical fatigue. (Technical Report DOT/FAA/AM-82/4). Washington, DC: FAA, Office of Aviation Medicine. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Maruff, P. , Falleti, M. G. , Collie, A. , Darby, D. , & McStephen, M. (2005). Fatigue-related impairment in the speed, accuracy and variability of psychomotor performance: Comparison with blood alcohol levels. Journal of Sleep Research, 14, 21–27. First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Melton, C. E. , McKenzie, J. M. , Wicks, S. M. , Saldivar, J. T. (1981). Fatigue in flight inspection field office (FIFO) flight crews. (Technical Report DOT/FAA/AM-81/13). Washington, DC: FAA, Office of Aviation Medicine. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Melton, C. E. , Wicks, M. , Saldivar, J. T. , Morgan, J. , Vance, F. P. (1968). Physiological studies on air tanker pilots flying forest fire retardant missions. (Technical Report DOT/FAA/AM-68/26). Washington, DC: FAA, Office of Aviation Medicine. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Memorandum of Understanding . (2009). Retrieved August 15, 2011, from www.faa.gov/pilots/safety/media/Fatigue_MOA.pdf First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Mitler, M. M. , Carskadon, M. A. , Czeisler, C. A. , Dement, W. C. , Dinges, D. F. , Graeber, R. C. (1988). Catastrophes, sleep, and public policy: Consensus report. Sleep, 11(1), 100–109. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Mohler, S. H. (1965). Fatigue in aviation activities. (Technical Report DOT/FAA/AM-65/13). Washington, DC: FAA, Office of Aviation Medicine. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • National Transportation Safety Board . (2010). Loss of Control on Approach, Colgan Air, Inc., Operating as Continental Connection Flight 3407, Bombardier DHC-8-400, N200WQ, Clarence Center, New York, February 12, 2009. NTSB/AAR-10/01 Washington, DC: Author. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Nesthus, T. (2001). Fatigue modeling. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 72, 78. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Nesthus, T. (2011). Fatigue solutions across operations: Pilot, air traffic, and Tech Ops fatigue. Paper presented at the Maintenance Fatigue Leaders workshop: Fatigue solutions for maintenance: From science to workplace reality, Oklahoma City, OK, March 30, 2011. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Nesthus, T. , Avers, K. E. (2009). CAMI fatigue research. Slides presented at the Aviation Week Fatigue Management Forum, Miami, FL, October, 2009. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Nesthus, T. , Mallis, M. (2011). FRMP and FRMS statute and regulatory: What is the difference?. Paper presented at the MITRE Fatigue in Aviation Symposium, Washington, DC, June 7, 2011. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Nesthus, T. E. , Schroeder, D. J. , Connors, M. M. , Rentmeister-Bryant, H. K. , DeRoshia, C. W. (2007,July). Flight attendant fatigue. (Report No. DOT/FAA/AAM-07/21). Washington, DC: FAA, Office of Aerospace Medicine. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • NTI, Inc . (1995). Effect of alcohol and fatigue on an FAA Readiness-to-Perform Test. (Technical Report DOT/FAA/AM-95/24). Washington, DC: FAA, Office of Aviation Medicine. (T. Nesthus, COTR). First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Roma, P. , Mallis, M. , Hursh, S. , Mead, A. , Nesthus, T. (2010). Flight attendant fatigue recommendation II: Flight attendant work/rest patterns, alertness, and performance assessment. (Technical Report DOT/FAA/AM-10/22). Washington, DC: FAA, Office of Aerospace Medicine. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Rosekind, M. R. (2011). Managing fatigue: An NTSB perspective. Paper presented at the Cessna Safety Standown, January 20, 2011, Wichita, Kansas. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Rosekind, M. R. , Gander, P. H. , Gregory, K. B. , Smith, R. M. , Miller, D. L. , Oyung, R. , Johnson, J. M. (1996). Managing fatigue in operational setting Part I: Physiological consideration and countermeasures. Behavioral Medicine, 21, 157–165. First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Rosekind, M. R. , Neri, D. F. , & Dinges, D. F. (1997). From laboratory to flightdeck: Promoting operational alertness. The Proceedings of the Royal Aeronautical Society, 71, 7–14. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Schroeder, D. J. , Goulden, D. R. (1983). A bibliography of shift work research: 1950–1982. (Technical Report DOT/FAA/AM-83/17). Washington, DC: FAA, Office of Aviation Medicine. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Sian, B. , Watson, J. (1999). Study of fatigue factors affecting human performance in aviation maintenance. Washington, DC: FAA, Office of viation Medicine. Retrieved November 17, 2011 from hfskyway.faa.gov/HFTest/Bibliography%20of%20Publications/MX%20FAA(Former%20HFSkyway)/Strategic%20Program%20Plan%20(1998)/FAA%20AMM%20HF%20in%20Aviation%20Maintenance%20and%20Inspection%20Research%20Phase%20Report/Phase%20IX/CHP11S~1.pdf First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Stern, J. A. , Boyer, D. , & Schroeder, D. J. (1994). Blink rate as a measure of fatigue: A review. (Technical Report DOT/FAA/AM-94/17). Washington, DC: FAA, Office of Aviation Medicine. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Thorne, D. R. , Johnson, D. E. , Redmond, D. P. , Sing, H. C. , Belenky, G. , Shapiro, J. M. (2005). The Walter Reed palm-held psychomotor vigilance test. Behavior Research Methods, 37, 111–118. First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Wernick, J. , Tobias, J. (1963). A central factor in pure tone auditory fatigue. (Technical Report DOT/FAA/AM-63/19). Washington, DC: FAA, Office of Aviation Medicine. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar