The Netherlands Aerospace Medical Center conducted an inquiry into the occurrence of sleep disturbances among cockpit crew of two Dutch commercial airlines. Questionnaires were sent to 1191 cockpit crew members. There was a 60 percent response rate. A positive correlation between operating on transmeridian flights and complaints about the quality of sleep was demonstrated. The sleep quality en route was significantly worse (p<.0001) than at home. 47% of the transmeridian flying crew members with sleep disturbances judged their disturbed sleep to affect their performance in the cockpit. Among the sleeping aids used during lay-overs were alcohol (42%) and hypnotics (10%). It is concluded that transmeridian operations cause significant complaints about the quality of sleep in a large group of Dutch cockpit crew. A disturbed sleep and the use of sleeping aids, such as alcohol and hypnotics might affect flight safety.


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    Title :

    Incidence of Sleep Disturbances in Dutch Cockpit Crew Operating on Transmeridian Routes


    Contributors:
    M. Simons (author) / P. J. L. Valk (author)

    Publication date :

    1989


    Size :

    14 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




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