Pilot Fatigue In India, A Wake-Up Call For Airlines

Context: 

This article expresses the challenges faced by the pilots and the consequences faced by everyone.

Concerning Incidents: 

• On October 12, 1976, an Indian Airlines Caravelle flight from Bombay to Madras (IC 171) crashed, killing all 95 passengers on board. 
• The Air India Express crash (IX 812) at Mangalore in May 2010.
• There have been recent reports about the passing of some Indian pilots due to cardiac arrest. 

Associated Concerns:

• India has one of the worst sets of rules on Flight and Duty Time Limitations and rest periods
• Lack of proficiency checks
• Lack of well training
• “One size fits all” duty time for the crew
• India is lacking minimum total cockpit time experience for pilots, with specific hours for narrowbody aircraft and widebody aircraft.
• Neglecting the issues of stress level and fatigues of the pilots

Fatigueness & Stress faced by Indian Pilots:

• As per a scientific study, the stress level during an approach to land, especially in adverse weather conditions, can raise the heart level to more than 240 beats per minute. 
• The body faces severe sugar depletion. 
• The number of landings a pilot performs during his duty period adds to the fatigue level.
• Flying crew in India, get one day off in a week and just their annual leave, while airline ground staff can avail two days off every week for 52 weeks (a year).
• Self-medication has become a norm among the crew. Without many being aware of side effects, these can induce other severe conditions.

The Path Ahead:

• The subject is an urgent matter to be addressed before precious lives are lost.
• Experts should be involved before implementing the associated rules.
• ‘Safe airlines’ worldwide provide at least two days off every week and proper rest periods between flights for the body clock to unwind. 
  • The Directorate General of Civil Aviation needs to consider it on an urgent basis. 
• India needs to strictly adhere with the Airlines over the world to have a minimum total cockpit time experience for pilots. 

News Source: The Hindu