U S A .... N. T. S. B. Press Release Regarding Fatigue

[precept]

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NTSB PRESS RELEASE
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National Transportation Safety Board
Washington , DC 20594

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 6, 2009
SB-09-09

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NTSB REITERATES ITS COMMITMENT TO RIDDING
FATIGUE IN TRANSPORTATION DURING SLEEP AWARENESS
WEEK

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Washington , DC - The National Transportation Safety Board, in
recognition of National Sleep Awareness Week, reiterates its commitment
to eliminating human fatigue in the transportation industry.

The Safety Board has long been concerned about the effect of human
fatigue in transportation and the consequences of fatigue on those who
perform critical functions in all modes of transportation. "Fatigue in
transportation presents unnecessary risks to the traveling public," said
NTSB Board Member Deborah Hersman. "Fatigue can impair a person
behind the wheel or at the helm much like alcohol or other drugs. We must
ensure that as much as possible is being done to protect our transportation
system from the insidious effect of human fatigue," Hersman said.

The Safety Board continues to advocate setting work hour limits based on
fatigue research, circadian rhythms, and sleep rest requirements that will
reduce unnecessary risk to the traveling public.

Last year, the NTSB recommended that the FAA develop guidance, based
on empirical and scientific evidence, for operators to establish fatigue
management systems, including information about the content and
implementation of these systems. Furthermore, the Board also made a
recommendation to develop and use a methodology that will continually
assess the effectiveness of fatigue management systems implemented by
operators, including their ability to improve sleep and alertness, mitigate
performance errors, and prevent incidents and accidents.

Since 1972, the NTSB has issued over 100 fatigue related
recommendations in all modes of transportation. Human fatigue and
hours-of-service are issues that have been on the NTSB's Most Wanted
List of safety improvements the Board believes will have the greatest
impact on transportation safety. However, the Board voted to remove
fatigue in the railroad industry from the Most Wanted List last year after
the passage of the Railroad Safety Improvement Act of 2008, which
addressed railroad hours-of-service limits and established fatigue
management requirements. Human Fatigue in the aviation, marine, and
pipeline industries remain on the Federal Most Wanted List.
-30-

NTSB Media Contact: Terry N. Williams
[email protected]
[phone]

[boaclhryul]

Given the lack of interest in this thread...

It's been read by 86 people so far, and at least one found it of some interest. Perhaps you should post your "acceptance criteria" for interest.

[ArkPilot]

I would read it, except I'm too tired.

[DIVINE WIND]

Recommendations given to the FAA take about a decade to get noticed. The NTSB's recommendation to the FAA on the use of de-ice boots took tens years to be recognized!!!
The FAA needs to be flushed out in some parts.
Maybe we are too fatigued to notice the thread. I have noticed it after flying ten legs so far today, shorts legs though.
I think it was worth posting.

[DC-ATE]

I think those in the transportation industry that are affected by fatigue have pretty much given up on the 'Government' to take care of this.

The NTSB puts out lots of words: concerned, advocate, recommend. Yet... "Human Fatigue in the aviation, marine, and pipeline industries remain on the Federal Most Wanted List."

[free at last]

Fatigue

I think that the airlines in the USA, are not happy with the proposed crew rest, I think this thread has some serious value. Anyway twice around the world in the last 14 days I am going to rest. Providing JET lag lets me!!!

[BelArgUSA]

I always thought that the UK CAA (and now JAR) had more severe and limiting flight and duty limitations compared to the FAA 121 regulations. Well, the only JAR limitation more restrictive than the FAA is the 900 hours yearly flight time limit, compared to the 1000 hours with the FAA. I believe that JAR is more lenient in flight time/duty time limitations for daily, and weekly limits than the FAA. I have heard about two/three pilot crews operating round trip flights from Europe to North America and Carribean, under JAR.... Illegal with FAA rules.
xxx
I certainly agree that the FAA should stop air carriers for abusive "interpretation" of their rules, because of certain circumstances. One I recall in the USA was the "tail-end ferries" under FAR 91. Have they done anything about that...?
xxx

Happy contrails

[dusk2dawn]

BelArgUSA, an interesting statement from someone who probably has spend quite some time "Between any two places outside the 48 contiguous States, the District of Columbia, and Alaska" !?

BTW: It is no longer JAR but EU OPS-1, Subpart Q.

[BelArgUSA]

dusk2dawn -
xxx
I personally had to complain at what was considered "minimum rest" legal under FAR 121, My personal interpretation of rest, is when your body is stretched flat and level inside a bed and does not include the time spent in a crew bus that is late, checking-in at hotel, and taking a quick meal, and getting up, rushing for the crew bus again, to the airport for the next departure. That is where the real problem starts with. In-room time is rest time. Agreed...?
xxx
OK for your EU Ops-1. What will be the name next year...? Just demand your present day airlines to give you layovers like 30 or 40 years ago, and you will not have any problems with rest periods.
xxx
Regards -

Happy contrails

[dusk2dawn]

OK - I didn't miss anything then except the good old days layovers

Next year (ca 2011) it wil be "EASA IR: Implementing Rules"

[hauxdeu]

Nice try NTSB! Don't forget this truth: Before you take a nap in the seat, be sure to brief the other pilot so both of you don't nod off. If you're not on a heavy crew, it's the only relief you'll be seeing for years to come...