A fadiga dos pilotos em voos de longo curso
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Data
2019
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Objectivo: A aviação é um sector em constante evolução e adaptação em que o número de passageiros aumenta a cada ano. Segundo os indicadores da ICAO, em 2018, foram cerca de 4,3 bilhões de passageiros transportados no mundo (mais 6,1% em relação a 2017). O aumento do número de passageiros e das horas de voo, a utilização de aeronaves mais eficientes capazes de percorrer distâncias cada vez maiores, e atravessar vários fusos horários, o que intensifica as perturbações ao nível dos ritmos circadianos, são factores que afetam os níveis de fadiga dos pilotos de longo curso, cujas condições de trabalho nem sempre estão de acordo com as normas de segurança estabelecidas por organizações internacionais como a ICAO. A fadiga dos pilotos é uma realidade e as investigações mostraram que muitas vezes existe uma relação de causa-efeito entre os acidentes e incidentes e a fadiga dos pilotos. Já em 1944 a fadiga era um factor de risco identificado no Anexo 6 da Convenção de Chicago. Os objectivos desta dissertação são a identificação dos níveis, causas e consequências da fadiga dos pilotos de longo curso, e do seu impacto ao nível da segurança das operações de voo, dando seguimento ao trabalho elaborado por Alcéu (2015), sobre a fadiga dos pilotos em voos de médio curso.
Metodologia: Foi distribuído a várias associações de pilotos e a pilotos directamente de várias companhias aéreas, um questionário anónimo realizado através do "Google Formulários" para avaliar um conjunto de factores determinantes da fadiga em piloto de longo curso, assim como avaliar os níveis de fadiga percepcionados. O questionário esteve disponível durante o mês de Junho de 2019 e permitiu recolher um total de 41 respostas. Também foram feitas duas entrevistas a pilotos de voos de longo curso.
Resultados: Os resultados mostram que as causas de fadiga são muito específicas à profissão, nomeadamente, as longas horas de voo nocturno, diferenças horárias, tempos de voo demasiado longos e períodos de repouso demasiado curtos entre voos. A idade dos pilotos também desempenha um papel importante. Os resultados são edificantes e confirmam os muitos estudos já realizados nos últimos anos; eles demonstram até que ponto, com as regras actuais mais protectoras, a fadiga dos pilotos ainda está muito presente.
Conclusões: A fim de aumentar a segurança de voo, é imperativo levar em conta os mais recentes estudos existentes sobre a fadiga dos pilotos de longo curso e incorporar novos padrões aos regulamentos existentes. É necessário valorizar mais a profissão que se sente, por vezes, desvalorizada dando mais descanso entre viagens, organizar melhor a planificação dos dias de trabalho e de descanso, e incentivar as companhias ao diálogo com os pilotos que, muitas vezes, têm receio em falar sobre o tema da fadiga e condições de trabalho.
Objective: Aviation is a constantly evolving and adaptable sector in which the number of passengers increases each year. Around 4.3 billion passengers were carried worldwide in 2018 (an increase of 6.1% over 2017) according to ICAO results. The increase in passenger numbers, the flight hours on more efficient aircraft capable of traveling more and more distances, disturbed time zones and circadian rhythms, affect the fatigue levels of long-haul pilots whose working conditions are not always in line with the safety standards established by international organisations such as ICAO. Pilot fatigue is a reality and research has shown that there is often a cause-effect relationship between accidents and incidents and pilot fatigue. Already in 1944 fatigue was a risk factor identified in Annex 6 to the Chicago Convention. The objectives of this dissertation are to identify the levels, causes and consequences of long-distance pilot fatigue and its impact on flight safety, following the work done by Alcéu (2015), on pilots’ fatigue in short and medium-distance flights. Methodology: An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to various pilot associations and pilots directly from various airlines, conducted through "Google Forms" to assess a set of factors determining fatigue in long-haul pilots, as well as to assess perceived levels of fatigue. The questionnaire was available during the month of June 2019 and allowed to collect a total of 41 answers. Two interviews were also conducted with long-haul pilots. Results: The results show that the causes of fatigue are very specific to the profession. The main causes of fatigue include long hours of night flights, time differences, too long flight times without crew support and too short rest periods between flights. The age of pilots also plays an important role. The results are uplifting and only confirm the many studies already carried out in recent years; they show how, with today's more protective rules, pilot fatigue is still very much present. Conclusions: In order to increase flight safety, it is imperative to consider the latest existing studies of long-haul pilot fatigue and to incorporate new standards into existing regulations. It is necessary to value more the profession that sometimes feels undervalued giving more rest between trips, better organize the planning of work and rest days, and encourage companies to talk and be more attentive to the pilots who are often reluctant to talk about fatigue and working conditions.
Objective: Aviation is a constantly evolving and adaptable sector in which the number of passengers increases each year. Around 4.3 billion passengers were carried worldwide in 2018 (an increase of 6.1% over 2017) according to ICAO results. The increase in passenger numbers, the flight hours on more efficient aircraft capable of traveling more and more distances, disturbed time zones and circadian rhythms, affect the fatigue levels of long-haul pilots whose working conditions are not always in line with the safety standards established by international organisations such as ICAO. Pilot fatigue is a reality and research has shown that there is often a cause-effect relationship between accidents and incidents and pilot fatigue. Already in 1944 fatigue was a risk factor identified in Annex 6 to the Chicago Convention. The objectives of this dissertation are to identify the levels, causes and consequences of long-distance pilot fatigue and its impact on flight safety, following the work done by Alcéu (2015), on pilots’ fatigue in short and medium-distance flights. Methodology: An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to various pilot associations and pilots directly from various airlines, conducted through "Google Forms" to assess a set of factors determining fatigue in long-haul pilots, as well as to assess perceived levels of fatigue. The questionnaire was available during the month of June 2019 and allowed to collect a total of 41 answers. Two interviews were also conducted with long-haul pilots. Results: The results show that the causes of fatigue are very specific to the profession. The main causes of fatigue include long hours of night flights, time differences, too long flight times without crew support and too short rest periods between flights. The age of pilots also plays an important role. The results are uplifting and only confirm the many studies already carried out in recent years; they show how, with today's more protective rules, pilot fatigue is still very much present. Conclusions: In order to increase flight safety, it is imperative to consider the latest existing studies of long-haul pilot fatigue and to incorporate new standards into existing regulations. It is necessary to value more the profession that sometimes feels undervalued giving more rest between trips, better organize the planning of work and rest days, and encourage companies to talk and be more attentive to the pilots who are often reluctant to talk about fatigue and working conditions.
Descrição
Orientação: Pedro Nuno Pacheco Ferreira
Palavras-chave
MESTRADO EM GESTÃO AERONÁUTICA, GESTÃO AERONÁUTICA, AERONÁUTICA, FADIGA, RITMO CIRCADIANO, FATORES DE RISCO, SEGURANÇA, TRANSPORTES AÉREOS, AERONAUTICS, AVIATION MANAGEMENT, FATIGUE, CIRCADIAN RHYTHM, RISK FACTORS, SECURITY, AIR TRANSPORT, VOOS DE LONGO CURSO, LONG-HAUL FLIGHTS