Evaluation of In-flight Alertness Management Technology

An objective approach for detecting the presence of drowsiness and fatigue on the flight deck was demonstrated in a full-mission simulation. Long, uneventful flights in modern aircraft are characterized by extensive monitoring due to high levels of aircraft system automation, physical inactivity, a requirement to remain vigilant for low-frequency occurrences, dim light levels, steady background noise, reduced social and cognitive interaction, and limited environmental manipulations. Together these factors create a context in which underlying sleepiness is likely to manifest itself in the form of compromised vigilance, reduced alertness, and impaired performance. Flying at night while fatigued is further complicated by the fact that individuals are poor at judging their own level of sleepiness, often reporting high levels of alertness even though physiological measures may suggest extreme sleepiness