Citation

Flower DJC. Transp. Res. F Traffic Psychol. Behav. 2001; 4(1): 39-48.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/S1369-8478(01)00012-2

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The introduction of ultralong-haul aircraft in recent years has highlighted the need for alertness management advice to be available to flight and cabin crew. British Airways has for some time provided classroom training but, more recently, has developed Alertness Management Advice Cards to provide route- and time-specific advice for the management of rest and sleep by long-haul crews. Using a framework based on the Airbus Industrie publication 'Coping with Long-Range Flying', British Airways created a set of cards and accompanying information booklet specifically for its Boeing 777 routes and a trial of 40 flight crew members was undertaken to assess the usefulness and acceptability of the concept. Subjects found the advice cards easy to use and helpful and the information booklet clear in outlining the physiology of sleep, alertness and circadian rhythms. Following the study, further advice cards were developed to cover the entire British Airways long-haul network and the complete Alertness Management package comprises a General Information section summarising the classroom teaching together with 30 Advice Cards covering 42 different route schedules grouped by direction of travel, time of departure and length of the layover. The cards contain general and specific advice including recommendations for light exposure, rest patterns and meal times presented in written and diagrammatic forms. Examples of sections from the Advice Cards together with results of the initial study will be presented and discussed.