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FAA puts sleep apnea policy on hold
The Federal Air Surgeon announced that the FAA will not move ahead with implementing its new sleep apnea policy in January. The policy would have required pilots with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 40 to be tested, and if needed, treated for obstructive sleep apnea. Instead, in the new year, the agency will open discussions with aviation industry stakeholders to find a way to balance pilots’ and the FAA’s concerns. (www.aopa.org) More...
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They should look at this now. For a pilot 5 foot 11 inches the upper limit to remain in the "normal" range is 176.8 pounds. For the same pilot to reach a BMI of 40 would require a weight gain of 110 pound to 286. This degree of severity removes any room for error based on body building etc. There is absolutely no doubt that an individual with a BMI of >40 is impaired.
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FAR 117 effective January 4, 2014 changes the rest, duty, flight time, etc for all 121 carriers (100% of regionals are 121) for 2, 3 and 4 person crews. Including time zone change and base time zone vs acclimated time zone.
Also the air surgeon failed to follow the required procedures for changing a FAR.
Also the air surgeon failed to follow the required procedures for changing a FAR.
I gotta agree there Phil, especially 135 duty, it's horrible with the double clocks!!!
Cargo dogs do a lot of overnight flying. No rule making in the world will change that most air cargo needs to move overnight.
The possible need to improve 135, takes nothing away from the poor health of some aviators (both 121 and 135), that does lead to fatigue while flying, that does lead to early death, and that does lead to early disability.
Changes to work rules and schedules alone won't reverse the health consequences that aviators face on a daily basis. A pilot that doesn't die on the job increases aviation safety. But more importantly, a pilot that doesn't die early in the cockpit or at home in bed, is a pilot that gets to go work the next day, but also gets to go home to their family.
The possible need to improve 135, takes nothing away from the poor health of some aviators (both 121 and 135), that does lead to fatigue while flying, that does lead to early death, and that does lead to early disability.
Changes to work rules and schedules alone won't reverse the health consequences that aviators face on a daily basis. A pilot that doesn't die on the job increases aviation safety. But more importantly, a pilot that doesn't die early in the cockpit or at home in bed, is a pilot that gets to go work the next day, but also gets to go home to their family.
Work rules were just changed for regional carriers. These have work days with many legs per day which translates into a more intensive work load. These have many more landings and takeoffs, and much less time at cruising altitude with the automation flying the plane and giving the pilots a chance to relax.
The problem with long haul is the change in time zones and the overnight flying. There's no work rule change that will take away time zones or the need to fly overnight. (With flights flying halfway around the world, it is nighttime, either at point of origin or destination, at all times.)
The problem with long haul is the change in time zones and the overnight flying. There's no work rule change that will take away time zones or the need to fly overnight. (With flights flying halfway around the world, it is nighttime, either at point of origin or destination, at all times.)
The pause is good. It gives aviators whose health is out of control, time to get back into shape before the initiative is eventually launched.
Sleep specialists were likely going to be overwhelmed otherwise. There's more than one too many aviators with more than one too many pounds.
The beauty is that by trying to help aviation safety by trying to deal with sleep apnea, the side benefit is that many aviators will be more mindful of their own health, leading to less premature death and less premature disability among out aviators and their families.
Sleep specialists were likely going to be overwhelmed otherwise. There's more than one too many aviators with more than one too many pounds.
The beauty is that by trying to help aviation safety by trying to deal with sleep apnea, the side benefit is that many aviators will be more mindful of their own health, leading to less premature death and less premature disability among out aviators and their families.
