Researching Shift Work Schedules Relationship to Human Factors


MQ-1B Shift Rotation Analysis

The current shift schedule of the MQ-1B Squadron of The United States Air Force, is one that is not beneficial for the crews. As stated the crewmember have reported extreme fatigue during missions operations and have also complained of inadequate sleep as a result of the current schedule. These two indications alone are factors of concern and must be addressed. According to a remotely piloted aircraft study (2006) found unmanned remote pilots experienced “reported decreased mood and quality of life as well as increased fatigue, emotional exhaustion, and burnout relative to traditional aircrew from other high demand-low density" (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Study 2006, p. 33).

The issues at hand have not yet elevated to the degree of encompassing all of the aforementioned factors, however, the preliminary effects introduced by the current work schedule could certainly progress whereby increasing the fatigue and stress each remote pilot is currently experiencing.
Before offering a different schedule in which to address the issues the remote pilots are currently facing it is important to communicate what the current schedule is producing. The circadian rhythms and its influence on the human body affect the remote pilots’ performance and spatial situation awareness. Circadian rhythms are described by Orlady and Lauber (1999) as “sleep irregularities, and the operating time of day can create performance problems that are similar, however they have quite different causes” (Orlady & Lauber, 1999, para. 4).

From circadian rhythms the human body reacts according to the time of day and time zone in which it is currently experiencing. The example offered by Orlady and Lauber (1999) describes the natural tendency of the human body to continue performing tasks during the daytime, instead of using the time for resting and sleeping (for a night shift employee). The issue presented by performing shift work is also an issue among the remote pilots. Shift work involves working irregular works schedules thereby not allowing the human body time to adjust to a new schedule.

A study performed by the United States Air Force (2006) indicated that remote pilot crews which operated on shift work schedules suffered from “Shift Work Sleep Disorder" (SWSD), decreased mood, quality of life, increased fatigue, emotional exhaustion, burnout relative to frequent and lengthy deployments, decreased cognitive alertness and piloting performance, subjective boredom, and slower response times” (Air Force, 2006, p. 9).

Furthermore, increased training in the number of new remote pilots would be an additional benefit in order to further address the shortage in manpower within the unmanned aircraft systems program. According to Tvaryanas, Platte, Swigart, Colebank, and Miller (2008) “The root problem for this population was not the shift system features themselves, but rather a lack of adequate manpower to provide sufficient recovery opportunities” (Tvaryanas, et al., 2008, p. 7).

Increasing the number of remote pilots would further provide opposite effects of those introduced by a shortage such as a greater degree of flight opportunities, greater hours of sleep recovery, efficient work scheduling, reversal in SWSD symptoms, better moods and morale, and less emotional exhaustion and burnout among the remote pilot.

The changes to the new submitted schedule will produce regularity for all four teams. The set parameters of six days on and two days off are still met within the schedule. The benefits of the regular work schedule will aid in preventing SWSD symptoms and the detrimental effects introduced by excessive fatigue and stress.

The new changes will also prevent irregularity effects introduced by changes in the circadian rhythms. Additionally, an increase in the training pool number of remote pilot airmen applicants, whom after completion of preliminary training, have shown both a mental and physical aptitude to be accepted as remote pilot or sensor operator trainees, should provide the squadron with additional airmen resulting in around the clock operations and filling any non-operational gaps which may exist.


References

Orlady, H. W., Orlady, L. M., & Lauber, J. K. (1999). Human factors in multi-crew flight operations. Brookfield, VT; Aldershot, England; Ashgate.

Tvaryanas, A., Platte, W., Swigart, C., Colebank, J., Miller, N. (2008). A Resurvey of Shift 
Work-Related Fatigue in MQ-1 Predator Unmanned Aircraft System Crewmembers.
Naval Postgraduate School, Retrieved from file:///E:/ASCI%20638/Module%205/ADA477976.pdf

U.S. Air Force. (2006). Effects of Shift Work and Sustained Operation: Operator Performance in Remotely Piloted Aircraft. (2006). Retrieved from https://erau.instructure.com/courses/69439/pages/5-dot-1-module-topic-reading?
Module item id=3645148



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