34.40 Sleep and Fatigue (Alertness management)

34.40.2 Describe the stages of sleep.

34.40.4 Describe the mechanism of sleep regulation.

34.40.6 Describe problems associated with sleep at abnormal times of the day.

34.40.8 Explain what is meant by sleep debt.

34.40.10 Explain how individuals differ in their requirement for sleep.

34.40.12 Explain the effects of the following alertness management techniques:

(a) napping

(b) caffeine consumption

(c) taking sedatives

(d) taking stimulants other than caffeine.

34.40.14 Describe sleep disorders and their effects on pilot performance.

34.40.16 Explain the causes of fatigue and its effect on pilot performance.

34.40.18 Describe the symptoms of fatigue.

The symptoms of fatigue are similar to those of excessive stress.

• Lack of awareness
  • radio calls that go unanswered or checklists that go unchecked
• Diminished motor skills
  • sloppy flying, writing that trails off into nothing
• Obvious tiredness
  • difficulty in focusing
• Slow reactions
• Short term memory problems
  • unable to remember a clearance long enough to repeat or write
• Channelled concentration
  • fixation on a single, possibly unimportant issue