Should commercial airline pilots be allowed to nap in the cockpit during a long flight?
It sounds dangerous, but it's actually recommended. NASA studied the idea 20 years ago. They found napping during a flight is an effective and safe way to reduce pilot fatigue.
Now, an airline industry advisory committee is recommending the FAA endorse controlled cockpit napping, meaning one pilot flies the plane, while the other sleeps.
Foreign carriers have allowed it for years.
Hwoever, some pilots fear their managers could force them to work even longer hours if they are allowed to nap.
"I believe that airline management would certainly push pilots if napping were allowed in the cockpit,” said James Ray, with the U.S. Airline Pilots Association. “They would tell pilots ‘I don't care if you're fatigued, just go ahead and jump in the cockpit. Now you can take a nap, you'll be fine.’”
FAA's new administrator, Randy Babbitt, has put the issue of pilot fatigue on the fast track. He plans to issue new rules on pilot work hours by the end of the year.
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