Fatigue and sleep
Fatigue effects:
- Slows reaction time, reduces concentration, causes errors of attention (TC AIM AIR 3.8).
- Acute or chronic: subtle effects on motor skills and judgement (AIR 3.8).
- Factor affecting vision (AIR 3.5).
Causes:
- Insufficient rest, lack of sleep, overexertion.
- Aggravated by business, financial or family stress, or illness: anaemia, sleep apnoea, influenza, head colds.
Fatigue types (PHAK ch.17):
| Type | Duration | Cause / cure | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acute | Short term | Cured by rest and 8 hours of sound sleep; prevented by proper diet, adequate rest and sleep | Stay on the ground |
| Chronic | Long term | Usually psychological roots; not relieved by proper diet, adequate rest and sleep | Needs a physician |
Sleep:
- Physical fatigue results from sleep loss (TC AIM AIR 3.8; PHAK ch.17).
- Avoid flying with acute or chronic fatigue, or without a full night's rest (PHAK ch.17; cf. TC AIM AIR 3.8 insufficient rest).
- Practice good sleep hygiene.
Boredom: aggravates fatigue and vice versa. Beat it by:
- Staying mentally active.
- Frequent groundspeed/fuel checks.
- Planning diversions.
- Studying airfield charts.
Trap: slowed reaction time is a fatigue effect, not a dehydration or motion-sickness sign.
References
- TC AIM AIR 3.8
- PHAK ch.17 Fatigue