sleeping in the cockpit
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,843
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From: Australia
sky330,
The B777 has such a system. I'm not sure of it's operating parameters, but if, after a certain time, there has been no pilot input to anything, the Master Caution with it's raucous aural alert sounds.
On a long, steady as she goes, route sector, it pays to twiddle the Heading knob or something, to prevent it's going off.
Regards,
Old Smokey
The B777 has such a system. I'm not sure of it's operating parameters, but if, after a certain time, there has been no pilot input to anything, the Master Caution with it's raucous aural alert sounds.
On a long, steady as she goes, route sector, it pays to twiddle the Heading knob or something, to prevent it's going off.
Regards,
Old Smokey
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 388
Likes: 2
From: Floating around the planet
I did it and I will do it again and again..Specially after lunch. I need 10 - 15 minutes and I`m completely new.
Better to take a rest during lazy cruise flights even on the short/medium haul than falling asleep during final.
On my previous company we had instructions about that in the FLIGHT OPR.MANUAL. and was called Assisted Rest.
Better to take a rest during lazy cruise flights even on the short/medium haul than falling asleep during final.
On my previous company we had instructions about that in the FLIGHT OPR.MANUAL. and was called Assisted Rest.
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: The Netherlands
Have to agree with most posters, I think it's better to sleep for a short while than trying to fight sleep. If you discuss it with your collegue what's the problem?
I remember when I flew on the 757 (aaahhh) we had this "pilot awareness" function of the EICAS, every once in a while we were lucky enough to make it to a full blown warning
after the system produced first a message on the display and secondly a caution with the associated aural.
Sleep tight
I remember when I flew on the 757 (aaahhh) we had this "pilot awareness" function of the EICAS, every once in a while we were lucky enough to make it to a full blown warning
after the system produced first a message on the display and secondly a caution with the associated aural.Sleep tight
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: DisneyLAN
The Captain never reads the newspaper, he is educating himself for the well-being of the crew. The Captain never sleeps he is merely meditating. 
Now be careful if you don't want to end at FL350 over destination being waked-up by ATC who is wondering when you are going to start your descent (like some fellows I know)
Now be careful if you don't want to end at FL350 over destination being waked-up by ATC who is wondering when you are going to start your descent (like some fellows I know)
I'matightbastard
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Off topic a little but...
I've seen those in trains. They looked like a little dart board. If you didn't hit the button in time, it jammed the brakes on 
Some current aircraft have a "Pilot Response" caption which appears every twenty minutes or so if no button is pressed. If the crew do not respond to the caption, a minute or so later the "Master Caution" goes off, which should have the desired effect.
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 223
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From: Kagerplassen
I am against throwing darts in the cockpit during cruise flight.
We agree with the cabin staff on how we fly through the night. Some captains want them to check on us every 30 mins, by calling (which wakes everyone up) or by waving into the camera, which we will answer with clicking the doorlock...
Or we call the cabin staff every 45 mins and if we don't they'll call us...
This gives us the option that one takes a short nap (20-30 mins). I napped several times on board, it really helps making the flight safer.
I see no need in both pilots checking their instruments every 20 seconds over the atlantic ocean at night, better be awake during the approach.
We agree with the cabin staff on how we fly through the night. Some captains want them to check on us every 30 mins, by calling (which wakes everyone up) or by waving into the camera, which we will answer with clicking the doorlock...
Or we call the cabin staff every 45 mins and if we don't they'll call us...
This gives us the option that one takes a short nap (20-30 mins). I napped several times on board, it really helps making the flight safer.
I see no need in both pilots checking their instruments every 20 seconds over the atlantic ocean at night, better be awake during the approach.
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 911
Likes: 43
From: Bournemouth UK
OMAN
Well off topic but
the "Dartboard" is the automatic warning system (AWS) which reminds drivers that they've passed a restrictive signal. The system that you are referring to on the trains is known as vigilance and it requires the driver to interact with the controls every minute or cancel a warning if there has been no interaction. If the warning isn't cancelled the brakes come on.
Not sure what sort of cockpit interaction you would expect in the cruise over the Atlantic. Perhaps radio tuning for weather and fuel page on the ECAM or equivalent. There's probably more interaction with the pen and the times crossword!
SW
Well off topic but
the "Dartboard" is the automatic warning system (AWS) which reminds drivers that they've passed a restrictive signal. The system that you are referring to on the trains is known as vigilance and it requires the driver to interact with the controls every minute or cancel a warning if there has been no interaction. If the warning isn't cancelled the brakes come on.
Not sure what sort of cockpit interaction you would expect in the cruise over the Atlantic. Perhaps radio tuning for weather and fuel page on the ECAM or equivalent. There's probably more interaction with the pen and the times crossword!
SW
Last edited by Sky Wave; 10th June 2005 at 14:30.
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 121
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From: Australia
I can't remember when or where I read this, but I remember reading a study that concluded that the controlled napping in the flight deck being far better than forcing oneself to stay awake and end up microsleeping on finals (which has happened to the participants who were tired but denied sleep in cruise) in terms of safety and crew quality of life.
I really feel that controlled napping is far safer than forcing oneself to stay awake, subsequently not feeling clear in the head or risking microsleeping at critical phases of flight.
I really feel that controlled napping is far safer than forcing oneself to stay awake, subsequently not feeling clear in the head or risking microsleeping at critical phases of flight.
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: uk
I'm currently studying HP, the way i understand it, JAR believe it to be ok to sleep, they say at least 30mins to have any affect. And is ok as long as you are woken up 30-40 mins before you are required to do any things "stressfull"
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 53
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From: Vienna
Regarding the safety system son trains mentioned by some of you:
A friend of mine studied aeronautical engineering and ended up in constructing trains (they 'use' aerodynamics as well). He told me that the locomotive drivers developed the strangest ideas in order to circumvent the system.
When it used to be a pedal, they put a brick on it.
When it was a button, the made the button stick with paper or some scotch tape.... One even devised a spring loaded system to push and release the pedal, because the system would also shout the alarm when the pedal remains pushed all the time.
Generally speaking, I see no problem to sleep if certain technical and human precautions are in force - JUST DO NOT TELL THE PAX. No matter how safe it is, it would be picked up by some newspaper sooner than later.
Regards, Bernhard
A friend of mine studied aeronautical engineering and ended up in constructing trains (they 'use' aerodynamics as well). He told me that the locomotive drivers developed the strangest ideas in order to circumvent the system.
When it used to be a pedal, they put a brick on it.
When it was a button, the made the button stick with paper or some scotch tape.... One even devised a spring loaded system to push and release the pedal, because the system would also shout the alarm when the pedal remains pushed all the time.
Generally speaking, I see no problem to sleep if certain technical and human precautions are in force - JUST DO NOT TELL THE PAX. No matter how safe it is, it would be picked up by some newspaper sooner than later.
Regards, Bernhard
