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UK pilots' union says fatigue is biggest threat to air safety UK pilots' union says fatigue is biggest threat to air safety
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Exhausted airline pilots are frequently falling asleep in the cockpit, with one in six admitting to having slept at the same time as their co-pilot, their union has warned.Exhausted airline pilots are frequently falling asleep in the cockpit, with one in six admitting to having slept at the same time as their co-pilot, their union has warned.
The British Airline Pilots Association released the findings of its survey after reports of an incident in August where a passenger plane belonging to a UK airline was left on autopilot as the crew slept.The British Airline Pilots Association released the findings of its survey after reports of an incident in August where a passenger plane belonging to a UK airline was left on autopilot as the crew slept.
Neither pilot had slept more than five hours in the past two nights before flying the Airbus A330, according to the official incident report logged by the Civil Aviation Authority, which did not issue further details.Neither pilot had slept more than five hours in the past two nights before flying the Airbus A330, according to the official incident report logged by the Civil Aviation Authority, which did not issue further details.
The CAA report warned of aircrew suffering from symptoms of severe fatigue which one of the pilots ascribed to "longer duty periods with insufficient opportunity to sleep".The CAA report warned of aircrew suffering from symptoms of severe fatigue which one of the pilots ascribed to "longer duty periods with insufficient opportunity to sleep".
The CAA said it was an isolated incident while Balpa said it came as no surprise; it said it had repeatedly warned the CAA about the risk of both pilots falling asleep. The CAA said it was an isolated incident while Balpa said it came as no surprise; it said it had repeatedly warned the CAA of the risk of both pilots falling asleep.
In its survey of 500 commercial pilots, conducted by ComRes, Balpa found that 56% of pilots admitted to having fallen asleep on the flight deck, with 29% of those having woken to find the other pilot asleep. The vast majority, 84%, said they believed their abilities had been compromised by tiredness in the past six months. In its survey of 500 commercial pilots, conducted by ComRes, Balpa found that 56% admitted to having fallen asleep on the flight deck, with 29% of those having woken to find the other pilot asleep. The vast majority, 84%, said they believed their abilities had been compromised by tiredness in the past six months.
The survey showed that half of pilots believe that fatigue represents the biggest threat to flight safety – but a similar number also thought that their airline bosses would not back them if they refused to fly because of tiredness. The survey showed that half of pilots believed fatigue represented the biggest threat to flight safety – but a similar number also thought that their airline bosses would not back them if they refused to fly because of tiredness.
Balpa issued its warning ahead of a European parliament vote on Monday on new EU rules for pilots' flying hours. The union argues that the attempt by the European Aviation Safety Agency to standardise the rules will lower current British safety standards. It claims that new leeway to land a plane after 22 hours without sleep would mean a level of tiredness that equates to being four times over the legal alcohol limit for flying.Balpa issued its warning ahead of a European parliament vote on Monday on new EU rules for pilots' flying hours. The union argues that the attempt by the European Aviation Safety Agency to standardise the rules will lower current British safety standards. It claims that new leeway to land a plane after 22 hours without sleep would mean a level of tiredness that equates to being four times over the legal alcohol limit for flying.
Jim McAuslan, general secretary of Balpa, said: "A European regulator that lacks scientific and medical expertise is being allowed to tear up UK flight safety rules. Why this government is bending the knee to Europe rather than the wisdom of the piloting profession is as baffling as it is dangerous."Jim McAuslan, general secretary of Balpa, said: "A European regulator that lacks scientific and medical expertise is being allowed to tear up UK flight safety rules. Why this government is bending the knee to Europe rather than the wisdom of the piloting profession is as baffling as it is dangerous."
The CAA said: "We understand that Balpa are not happy with the proposals but we think overall it is a good package and not much different to what we have now." The CAA said: "We understand Balpa are not happy with the proposals but we think overall it is a good package and not much different to what we have now."
Earlier this month the Commons transport select committee said that while the draft European proposals had been toughened, it remained concerned that safety would be compromised. The committee said it was particularly worried that no lower limit for night flight duty was set, which they say goes against scientific evidence.Earlier this month the Commons transport select committee said that while the draft European proposals had been toughened, it remained concerned that safety would be compromised. The committee said it was particularly worried that no lower limit for night flight duty was set, which they say goes against scientific evidence.
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