Pilots flying long hours without adequate breaks

PILOTS are flying dangerously long hours without adequate breaks, a report by international aviation experts will claim later this week.

The European Aviation Safety Agency examined EU flight-time limitation law and found a number of serious shortcomings in the legislation.

Its report, to be published in the coming days, has made several recommendations which it claims must be implemented to ensure adequate levels of flight safety.

Among the areas of existing legislation it has questioned, is the number of early-morning flights pilots can be expected to operate; the lack of adequate provision for rest facilities both onboard and for overnight stops, and the burden of work which can be expected by pilots operating on long-haul flights.

The European Cockpit Association said scientific research had long established the link between pilot fatigue due to long duty hours or following insufficient rest sleep opportunities, and the risk of accidents and incidents.

“Scientific experts identify fatigue as a contributing factor in 15 to 20% of all fatal aviation accidents caused principally by human error,” it said.

“It is obvious that air crews can only perform their duties safely if they are sufficiently alert, especially in critical circumstances; this is not possible in the presence of fatigue. European passengers and crews have the right to benefit from high, scientifically-based safety standards: European regulations must ensure that crews are fit to operate and free from fatigue.”

While many airlines use rota systems which do not bring their pilots close to the limits, several, particularly low-cost airlines, operate tough schedules for their pilots.

Adrian Hickson, of the Irish Airline Pilots’ Association, said the whole point of having pan-European regulations was that there was a level playing field.

He said the panel that had completed the latest report were highly respected scientists and safety experts and their recommendations could not be ignored at EU level.

However, in order for the legislation to be passed in each jurisdiction, it must be given the green light by the individual authorities.