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A new report has raised concerns about pilot fatigue. The European Cockpit Association (ECA) conducted a survey of 7,200 pilots. It found that pilot exhaustion is both widespread and underreported. More than three-quarters of respondents said they had briefly dozed off while flying an aircraft. Almost a quarter of them admitted to flying even when they were too tired. Furthermore, half said they had flown when they should have declared themselves unfit for duty. Tiredness can result from long working hours, not enough rest, and unpredictable schedules.
The pilots were very honest in their survey answers. Many said they were reluctant to report fatigue because they feared punishment from their bosses. A director of the ECA warned: "When pilots fear career consequences, fatigue goes unreported and the risk returns to the cockpit." Safety experts say exhaustion can impair judgement, slow reaction times and prevent pilots from responding effectively to unexpected situations. The experts urged airlines to create a culture in which pilots can report tiredness without worries. Airlines should make passenger safety their top priority.
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