Thesis
The effect of long-duration, multi-segment flights on pilot sleep and performance
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2016
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/103196
Abstract
In this study, data from the Island Hopper flight (n=36), flown under a Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS) Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC) data collection exemption was compared to data from the Triangle flight, an FRMS Safety Standard Operation (SSO). The study used a paired comparison, with each pilot flying both the Island Hopper and Triangle. The study was developed to assess whether the AMOC flight may be deemed as safe as or safer than the SSO flight on multiple Safety Performance Indicators (SPIs). The SPIs for this study included total inflight sleep, cognitive performance, self-reported fatigue, and self-reported sleepiness. Pilots demonstrated longer total inflight sleep on the Outbound Island Hopper versus Triangle, mean difference = 16.69; 95% confidence interval = [-4.39, 37.77]; Inbound Island Hopper versus Triangle, mean difference = 45.42; 95% confidence interval = [20.32, 70.52]. Pilots demonstrated better performance on the Outbound Island Hopper versus Triangle, mean difference = 0.22; 95% confidence interval = [0.01, -0.43]; Inbound Island Hopper versus Triangle, mean difference = 0.44; 95% confidence interval = [0.24, 0.64]. Pilots demonstrated less fatigue on the Outbound Island Hopper versus Triangle, mean difference = -0.52; 95% confidence interval [-1.04, 0]; Inbound Island Hopper versus Triangle, mean difference = -0.83; 95% confidence interval [-1.28, -0.38]. Pilots demonstrated less sleepiness on the Outbound Island Hopper versus Triangle, mean difference = -0.58; 95% confidence interval = [-1.31, 0.15]; Inbound Island Hopper versus Triangle, mean difference = -1.23; 95% confidence interval = [-1.85, -0.61]. Non-inferiority testing demonstrated that the Island Hopper is as safe as or safer than the Triangle on all SPIs. Non-inferiority testing is the logical union of equivalence and superiority. As the basis of statistical assessment, non-inferiority testing using point estimates and confidence intervals is a useful, easily understood alternative to the current t-distribution-based analyses used to compare FRMS AMOC and SSO flights. In future practice and policy for any FRMS, researchers can use this model to compare two operations.
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Details
- Title
- The effect of long-duration, multi-segment flights on pilot sleep and performance
- Creators
- Amanda Catherine Marie Lamp
- Contributors
- Sterling M. McPherson (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Human Development, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900525281901842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis