Overview
- A Baines Simmons survey published by the European Cockpit Association in late October drew responses from about 7,200 pilots across 32 countries and found roughly 75–77% reported at least one episode of microsleep or unplanned dozing while on duty.
- Nearly 39% of respondents said they usually or always do not get enough rest to stop fatigue from building up, with long hours and crossing time zones cited as major causes of poor sleep.
- Only 37.2% of pilots said they typically report being too fatigued to fly while 24.2% said they do not report fatigue and fly anyway, and ECA leaders say fear of career harm drives much of the underreporting.
- The survey is voluntary and self‑reported, which limits firm conclusions about in‑flight incapacitation, but it has renewed scrutiny of existing rules such as the FAA’s 2012 rest standard and a recent FAA proposal to preempt local crew‑break laws that unions oppose.
- The ECA is calling for stronger fatigue risk management and tighter oversight by national authorities and EASA, and the findings could prompt regulators and airlines to review scheduling, reporting protections and crew‑rest enforcement.