Pilot Fatigue to be Studied

The DOT’s Office of the Inspector General will evaluate the issue of aviation fatigue among pilots.

The announcement stated:

Title:   Audit Initiated on the Review of FAA Regulations and Airline Policies Regarding Crew   Rest Requirements and Fatigue Issues Federal Aviation Administration
Date:   July 14, 2009
Type:  Announcement
Project ID: 09A3010A000

Summary:

The Office of Inspector General plans to begin an audit of FAA regulations and airline policies governing crew rest requirements and pilot fatigue. We are conducting this review at the request of the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Senate Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security. Our audit objectives are to (1) identify FAA regulations and airline policies on crew rest requirements and fatigue issues, including the role of pilots’ domicile and duty locations; (2) determine how FAA and airlines enforce these regulations and policies; and (3) assess how FAA and airlines update those policies and procedures to ensure they address changing conditions within the aviation industry.

The OIG recently issued a 21-page report that points to air safety threats caused by air traffic controller fatigue in Chicago. The investigation concluded that controllers who direct planes in and out of Chicago's O'Hare International have too little time off between shifts, a factor that contributes to fatigue and could be a safety threat. The report criticized the FAA for not acting sooner to alleviate controller fatigue at three Chicago-area air traffic control facilities and recommended immediate changes.