European Pilot Survey Reveals Widespread Cockpit Fatigue Risks
The European Cockpit Association reports that three-quarters of European pilots experienced microsleeps in the cockpit, prompting calls for stricter safety regulations.
A survey of nearly 7,200 captains and first officers conducted by the European Cockpit Association (ECA) reveals that 75% of European airline pilots experienced at least one microsleep in the cockpit within a four-week period. Approximately 24% of pilots admitted to routinely flying while too fatigued to work, citing a lack of trust in reporting systems or fear of management reprisals.
Regional data shows that pilots based in Ireland and Malta reported the highest levels of microsleeps. Those in Spain, Ireland, and France were most likely to fly while fatigued, whereas only 10% of UK-based pilots reported doing so. The report contrasts these findings with the stronger fatigue reporting cultures found in Finland and the Netherlands.
ECA President Tanja Harter urged the European Union Aviation Safety Agency to strengthen fatigue management rules and enforce non-punitive reporting requirements. Harter argued that safety responsibility should not rest solely with pilots on the flight deck. Ian Holder of Baines Simmons analyzed the results as evidence of inconsistent fatigue management across the industry.
