Sleep Reporting
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From: Enroute from Dagobah to Tatooine...!
Sleep Reporting
Can an aviation employer legally require pilots to report their sleep history for three days prior to commencing every rostered duty period? This would seem to be gross overreach IMO. I get that organisations have a responsibility to help manage fatigue and that FRMS systems need data for modelling, but where does it stop? When do we acknowledge that individual employees also have a right to privacy? Would you trust your employer that fatigue and sleep data will not be used punitively?
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From: Up yer nose, again.
Can an aviation employer legally require pilots to report their sleep history for three days prior to commencing every rostered duty period? This would seem to be gross overreach IMO. I get that organisations have a responsibility to help manage fatigue and that FRMS systems need data for modelling, but where does it stop? When do we acknowledge that individual employees also have a right to privacy? Would you trust your employer that fatigue and sleep data will not be used punitively?
short flights long nights
Joined: Aug 1999
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I fail to see how they can possibly do this. And what happens if they deem your sleep is not up to the required “ standard “?
What is the standard? Who sets it?
I’m so glad I’m out of the industry. The fun seems to be completely gone, and it seems people want to regulate it out of existence. .
What is the standard? Who sets it?
I’m so glad I’m out of the industry. The fun seems to be completely gone, and it seems people want to regulate it out of existence. .
Last edited by SOPS; 15th May 2026 at 10:48.
Joined: Nov 1999
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From: UK
This seems too intrusive to me.
And surely it's brought on by rostering without sufficient time to recover between duties - so they are trying to put the blame for insufficient sleep on us rather than their rostering.
I have worked 6-on, 2-off rosters, starting on earlies, and finishing on lates; so the "2 days off" were actually only one day off the job.
It was brutal and I was like a zombie in those times, but try calling in sick or too tired on the first early mornings, and see how far your career lasts.
And surely it's brought on by rostering without sufficient time to recover between duties - so they are trying to put the blame for insufficient sleep on us rather than their rostering.
I have worked 6-on, 2-off rosters, starting on earlies, and finishing on lates; so the "2 days off" were actually only one day off the job.
It was brutal and I was like a zombie in those times, but try calling in sick or too tired on the first early mornings, and see how far your career lasts.
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From: nosar
I fail to see the problem. You got 8 to 10 hours every night didn't you?
If you're stupid enough to wear one and let it dump your private info into the cloud (read data centre), I am sure it could. The incessant drive for personal information is driven by those stupid enough to hand it out. Loyalty cards, rewards cards, apps that track every move, apps that dump your health info into a data centre, all of it, most folk fail to see any problem and actually love this stuff. Sheeple indeed :-)
Could info from an Apple Watch or any sleep tracker be used in a prosecution?
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: AUSTRALIA
your square peg analogy is spot on
Joined: Nov 1999
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From: UK
Your comment of ".....8 - 10 hours every night...." suggests that you're not ? Not quite so easy when you are waking up at 0300 for earlies, or not getting into bed until 0300 after nights.
I agree with your comments re bio-trackers though. To risky, in this day and age of hackers, to put personal information of that kind onto the internet.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Enroute from Dagobah to Tatooine...!
Appreciate the comments. Keep them coming. Especially interested in the associated legalities. I have spent some time in the Privacy Act 1988 and it is insightful...
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: 500 miles from Chaikhosi, Yogistan
Clearly there’s something in the background here Captain nomad, and I understand you probably can’t say too much
But can you outline if it’s sleep history or “sleep opportunity history” being sought. Sleep opportunity being legislated in rostering practices in CAO 48.1 IIRC.
But can you outline if it’s sleep history or “sleep opportunity history” being sought. Sleep opportunity being legislated in rostering practices in CAO 48.1 IIRC.
Last edited by compressor stall; 16th May 2026 at 23:51.
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: All at sea
If the employer requests a pilot’s “sleep history” over the preceding three days, what would said employer’s response be if the pilot reported going to bed at 20:00 after a light meal and a glass of wine at, say 18:30. Unable to sleep for fear of missing the alarm set for, say, 03:30. Pilot “thinks” that some time was asleep from, say, 23:30 until awakened by the alarm. Same pattern for three nights straight, to meet rostered sign on times.
If other pilots rostered for consecutive early shifts reported similar problems, what are employer’s responsibilities?
Sleep “opportunity “ is not “sleep”. Maybe simply providing the “opportunity” is acceptable for one 24 hour period, or even twice in a week if the duty periods are reasonable, but depending on the pattern, over three consecutive days it could be woefully inadequate.
If other pilots rostered for consecutive early shifts reported similar problems, what are employer’s responsibilities?
Sleep “opportunity “ is not “sleep”. Maybe simply providing the “opportunity” is acceptable for one 24 hour period, or even twice in a week if the duty periods are reasonable, but depending on the pattern, over three consecutive days it could be woefully inadequate.
Last edited by Mach E Avelli; 17th May 2026 at 06:46.
Thread Starter
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From: Enroute from Dagobah to Tatooine...!
Hey Compressor Stall, on the first point, correct... On the second point, the sleep reporting I am referring to is an assessment of 'actual sleep' in previous 24 and 72 hour windows.
CAAP 48-01 has an Appendix G - 'Data Collection Procedures.' It clearly indicates a voluntary process should be followed and data collection should not be coerced. Undoubtedly, this is in order to be compliant with the Privacy Act.
CAAP 48-01 has an Appendix G - 'Data Collection Procedures.' It clearly indicates a voluntary process should be followed and data collection should not be coerced. Undoubtedly, this is in order to be compliant with the Privacy Act.
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Australia
Just tell the boss, that you average four hours sleep in the flea infested hotel on the overnight after six sectors. The gentle hum of the air conditioner eventually lulls you off to sleep, along with the sound of running water from the toilet cistern, unfortunately the drug addled couple next door having an orgy with the local bikie gang, should result in you signing on fully fatigued at 6am for another six sectors.
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From: nosar
What is your experience, and are you an ATPL airline pilot ?
I also appreciate that Captain Nomad is asking a genuine question and I respect that, but hey, we are on an internet forum.
Last edited by Aussie Bob; 17th May 2026 at 10:13. Reason: Clarity
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From: Hong Kong
Your sleep history is last thing your employer wants to know. It would open them to all kinds of liability. They want to know that you've had the required legal rest period, with the onus on you to report fatigue.
Thread Starter
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From: Enroute from Dagobah to Tatooine...!
Rudestuff, if only it was that simple. That may have been the case 10 years ago, but these days... Well, a lot depends on how your FRMS is setup doesn't it? An industrial relations confliction between Workplace Health and Safety law attempting to override Privacy law...?!
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Hong Kong
My point is that knowing your sleep history and therefore your likely level of fatigue can only ever effect the company negatively. So I would expect any push for this kind of thing to come from regulators