Fatigue in Aviation
by J Lynn Caldwell
published by Avebury Aviation £20
ISBN 0754633004 (available from Amazon)
Synopsis
This overview of fatigue includes fatigue definitions, the
measurement/assessment of fatigue and the performance, mood and safety problems
associated with fatigue in the operational setting. The physiological bases of
fatigue are discussed, so the reader understands that fatigue is a physiological
phenomenon that is not "just a state of mind". Finally, scientifically valid
countermeasures are discussed and data from a variety of sources are included to
provide readers with a "toolbox" from which they can choose solutions to fatigue
related problems. This book is meant to be a "user-friendly" book, not a
scientific book, although science is included to help the reader understand why
certain behaviours occur.
Reviewed by Dr Ian Perry
This is an interesting and informative book. I do not necessarily agree with
the definition of “chronic fatigue”, as I consider it to be a definite clinical
condition that requires a separate strategy of treatment. It is a condition I
have personally seen and treated many times in aircrew over the years, and is
definitely different from “acute fatigue” due to recent sleep loss. This is my
main criticism of a book written by psychologists, who would have benefited from
some clinical aviation medicine input in the drafting stage.
The book is however, one of those practical useful guides, which will sadly,
never be read by those to whom it should really matter and who should read it,
namely everyone in aviation management, scheduling and rostering.
The need for fatigue countermeasures is something all aviation companies must
address. Those of us closely involved know it is not easy to achieve such
strategies, but ways have to found, before the Authors and the Reviewer end up
investigating a “fatigue accident”.
Ian Perry
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