FlyingOfficerKite
27th Aug 2012, 14:06
It has been argued for many years now that CAP 371 does not provide an effective means of preventing fatigue in aircrew when applied to modern, multi-sector operations such as those carried out by low-cost carriers.
I was always told, particularly by older pilots who had witnessed the change within the industry, that the use of CAP 371 was intended for infrequent multi-sector days (4-6 sectors). It was not designed for the operations witnessed today where the only flying is multi-sectors, with minimum rest and frequent changes between early and late starts - particularly before and after days off.
Although I have flown low-cost operations - and become fatigued as a consequence - those days are gone now (change of career). I flew when I was relatively young and healthly and not in late middle age (55-65 yrs).
I wonder what the long-term effects will be on pilots just starting out who have potentially 40 years of this disruptive lifestyle?
A good number of pilots have the energy and enthusiasm to continue flying to age 60-65.
However, they did not spend the greater part of their career flying low-cost and many opt for the simulator training role later in their working lives.
Will the next generation of pilots see a greater instance of 'burn out'; will computerised flight decks provide a solution or will the fact that BA retire their pilots at 55 yrs prove in the long-run to be the least risk option?
Although pilots, by definition, are healthy it makes you wonder just what the future holds and whether instances of pilot incapacitation will increase over time?
FOK :)
I was always told, particularly by older pilots who had witnessed the change within the industry, that the use of CAP 371 was intended for infrequent multi-sector days (4-6 sectors). It was not designed for the operations witnessed today where the only flying is multi-sectors, with minimum rest and frequent changes between early and late starts - particularly before and after days off.
Although I have flown low-cost operations - and become fatigued as a consequence - those days are gone now (change of career). I flew when I was relatively young and healthly and not in late middle age (55-65 yrs).
I wonder what the long-term effects will be on pilots just starting out who have potentially 40 years of this disruptive lifestyle?
A good number of pilots have the energy and enthusiasm to continue flying to age 60-65.
However, they did not spend the greater part of their career flying low-cost and many opt for the simulator training role later in their working lives.
Will the next generation of pilots see a greater instance of 'burn out'; will computerised flight decks provide a solution or will the fact that BA retire their pilots at 55 yrs prove in the long-run to be the least risk option?
Although pilots, by definition, are healthy it makes you wonder just what the future holds and whether instances of pilot incapacitation will increase over time?
FOK :)