Research On Flight Crew Fatigue And Jet Lag Problems In Long-haul Flights

Researching fatigue and jet lag problems is an important focus for long-haul flights,especially for flights across time zones.At the same time,the Civil Aviation Administration of China(CAAC)is promoting the construction of fatigue risk management systems by airlines in flight times of long-haul flight crew members,so it is necessary and urgent to investigate long-haul flight crews’ fatigue and jet lag problems.Firstly,the study combed through methods of detecting jet lag symptoms and fatigue in crew members,based on the fact that there are few tools that can be used on a large scale(especially tools for detecting jet lag symptoms in pilots).And also on the fact that jet lag and fatigue problems are a comprehensive manifestation of symptoms in the human body,requiring multi-dimensional information collection for diagnosis.Therefore,the study explores the method of detecting jet lag and fatigue around the ’scale’,a detection tool that can collect a wide range of information.Based on the theoretical analysis of the jet lag symptom scale and the fatigue questionnaire/scale,the study developed a scale tool that can be applied to jet lag-fatigue surveys.The scale is tested and validated by data collected from pilots in real working scenarios.Finally,it is confirmed that this scale can be used in jet lag and fatigue surveys for civil aviation practitioners in China,especially for flight crews flying across time zones,which has strong application and use value.Then,the study analyzed the sleep of long-haul flight crews after flying across multiple time zones based on empirical pilot experimental data collected during the validation of the Jet Lag-Fatigue Scale and found a pattern of relief of pilots’ sleep symptoms as a function of exponentiation at the end of long-haul flights across time zones.Then a theoretical analysis of human circadian rhythm changes after cross-time-zone flights is conducted.A theoretical model of human circadian rhythm adjustment after cross-time-zone flights is constructed to assess crew circadian rhythm changes after cross-time-zone flights,which is the theoretical innovation of the study.Finally,the study analyses the fatigue risk of pilots under the COVID-19 outbreak exemption approach policy based on a biomathematical model,which is one of the fatigue risk prediction tools.Firstly,two empirical BMMs(SAFE model and FAID model)are selected to simulate the prediction of crew fatigue risk for two policies(exemption approach and Part CCAR-121)before and after the epidemic,respectively.At the same time,collecting empirical experimental data from pilots during flight to develop the validation of the model prediction results.In addition,a mechanistic BMM(SAFTE model)is used to predict fatigue risk for long-haul flight crews,however,compared to the results of empirical experiments,the mechanistic-based BMM needs to be supplemented,revised and optimized.Therefore,based on the shortcomings of the current BMM,the study reconstructed and refined a new mechanistic BMM-Alertness Energy Fatigue Risk Assessment Model,incorporating the circadian rhythm adjustment model described above,the model is validated with data collected from empirical experiments and compared with the SAFTE model,which is found to be a more accurate predictor of crew fatigue risk on long-haul flights across time zones than the SAFTE model.This is another theoretical innovation of the study,reflecting both the research’s theoretical and applied value.The results of the study(the Jet Lag-Fatigue Scale and the Alertness Energy Fatigue Risk Assessment Model,etc.)provide better research tools to assess the fatigue risk of pilots under different policies;provide scientific proof and data support for negotiating the COVID-19 exemption approach policy between CAAC and national civil aviation authorities;also support the development and publication of the CAAC Advisory Circular on <Fatigue Management Requirements for CCAR-121 Certificate Holders>;provide the technical report for the airline to obtain permission to operate under the CAAC exemption approach policy and to build a fatigue risk system.In addition,the study also laid down research ideas and experimental protocols for the subsequent construction of the fatigue risk management system,provided scientific methods and data support,and also facilitated the progress of the construction of the fatigue risk management system in the airline.