Office of Aerospace Medicine Technical Reports
FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-77/5
Title and Subtitle: Sleep in air traffic controllers
Report Date: FEbruary 1977
Authors: Saldivar JT, Hoffmann SM, Melton CE
Abstract: Data obtained from sleep logs maintained for a period of 5 weeks by 185 air traffic controllers indicate that on a weekly basis there is no significant difference in the amount of sleep obtained by controllers working the 2-2-1 rotation pattern and that obtained by those on the 5-day rotation pattern. Controllers working the 2-2-1 rotation pattern slept significantly less prior to the midshift than they did before the evening and day shifts.
On both the 2-2-1 and 5-day rotation patterns, the most sleep obtained was on the evening shift followed by the day shift and midshift respectively. Approximately half the controllers indicated satisfaction with their present shift rotations; however, preferences indicate that they would prefer to work a shift rotation that excluded the midshift. Age and experience do not appear to be related to pattern of sleep or amount of sleep obtained. 'Fatigue', 'weakness', and 'somnolence' were complaints most often expressed on the midshift on both rotation patterns.
Key Words: Air traffic controllers, Sleep patterns, Stress, Shift rotation
No. of Pages: 15
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-77/5
Title and Subtitle: Sleep in air traffic controllers
Report Date: FEbruary 1977
Authors: Saldivar JT, Hoffmann SM, Melton CE
Abstract: Data obtained from sleep logs maintained for a period of 5 weeks by 185 air traffic controllers indicate that on a weekly basis there is no significant difference in the amount of sleep obtained by controllers working the 2-2-1 rotation pattern and that obtained by those on the 5-day rotation pattern. Controllers working the 2-2-1 rotation pattern slept significantly less prior to the midshift than they did before the evening and day shifts.
On both the 2-2-1 and 5-day rotation patterns, the most sleep obtained was on the evening shift followed by the day shift and midshift respectively. Approximately half the controllers indicated satisfaction with their present shift rotations; however, preferences indicate that they would prefer to work a shift rotation that excluded the midshift. Age and experience do not appear to be related to pattern of sleep or amount of sleep obtained. 'Fatigue', 'weakness', and 'somnolence' were complaints most often expressed on the midshift on both rotation patterns.
Key Words: Air traffic controllers, Sleep patterns, Stress, Shift rotation
No. of Pages: 15
Last updated: Friday, June 1, 2012