During the SSRP workshop operators recognised fatigue management as a risk.
What can operators do?
An organisation can potentially operate under either a:
- fatigue risk management system
- fatigue management - appendix 4
- CAO 48.1 Appendix 2 – multi-pilot operations except flight training
- CAAP 48-01v3.3 - fatigue management for flight crew members.
When assigned a task, operators must understand each of these.
Hazard identification was also a concern. Operators say they need to:
- identify hazards related to human fatigue and alertness
- assess and manage safety risks (for example, putting in place controls and mitigation strategies).
Flying and its environment can cause other operational issues besides fatigue from lack of sleep, time away from work, or other similar factors. Some of these include:
- night flying
- time critical operations
- temperature – extreme heat, dehydration, extreme cold
- environmental degradation – smoke, reduced visibility, changing conditions, windshear, turbulence
- lack of automation
- route variations
- aerodrome unfamiliarity and
- high noise or vibration levels.
What are we doing and delivered?
We have published resources, procedures and rules for managing fatigue to reduce safety risks across aviation:
For operators who must comply with CAO 48.1 CASA there is specific guidance material including:
- CAAP-48-01 Fatigue Management for Flight Crew Members which supports AOC holders and flight crew members understand their obligations in relation to fatigue risk management
- Fatigue Management Plain English Guide: our plain English guide for fatigue management makes it easy to meet your obligations under:
- Civil Aviation Order 48.1 Instrument 2019.
- Safety behaviours: human factors for pilots – Booklet 3 – Human performance focusing on fatigue, stress and workload management.
Operators who don’t have to comply with CAO 48.1 may still need to manage the fatigue risks in their operations.
These operators can use CAO 48.1 requirements and the associated guidance to develop appropriate fatigue management procedures within their operations.