Aspects of work and sleep associated with work ability in regular aviation pilots.

OBJECTIVE: Analyze the association of work organization and sleep aspects with work ability in regular aviation pilots. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional epidemiological study with 1,234 regular aviation pilots who worked domestic and international flights, affiliated with the Brazilian Association of Civil Aviation Pilots. Data collection employed online questionnaire. We compared proportions using Pearson's Chi-squared or Fisher's exact hypothesis tests. Then, we conducted Poisson analysis, with robust variance, to test factors associated with moderate or low work ability. RESULTS: The prevalence of moderate or low work ability was 43.3%. We found that self-perception of insufficient sleep (PR = 1.29; 95%CI 1.06-1.57), increased perception for fatigue (PR = 1.51; 95%CI 1.24-1.84), more than 65 flight hours per month (PR = 1.22; 95%CI 1.01-1.46), less than 10 days of time off per month (PR = 1.27; 95%CI 1.04-1.55), and frequent operational delays (PR = 1.23; 95%CI 1.02-1.48) were factors associated with moderate or low work ability. CONCLUSIONS: Work organization was a determining factor for decreased work ability, especially concerning aspects related to rest and its influence on the sleep of pilots.

Aspects of work and sleep associated with work ability in regular aviation pilots / Aspectos do trabalho e do sono associados à capacidade para o trabalho entre pilotos

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: Analyze the association of work organization and sleep aspects with work ability in regular aviation pilots. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional epidemiological study with 1,234 regular aviation pilots who worked domestic and international flights, affiliated with the Brazilian Association of Civil Aviation Pilots. Data collection employed online questionnaire. We compared proportions using Pearson's Chi-squared or Fisher's exact hypothesis tests. Then, we conducted Poisson analysis, with robust variance, to test factors associated with moderate or low work ability. RESULTS: The prevalence of moderate or low work ability was 43.3%. We found that self-perception of insufficient sleep (PR = 1.29; 95%CI 1.06-1.57), increased perception for fatigue (PR = 1.51; 95%CI 1.24-1.84), more than 65 flight hours per month (PR = 1.22; 95%CI 1.01-1.46), less than 10 days of time off per month (PR = 1.27; 95%CI 1.04-1.55), and frequent operational delays (PR = 1.23; 95%CI 1.02-1.48) were factors associated with moderate or low work ability. CONCLUSIONS: Work organization was a determining factor for decreased work ability, especially concerning aspects related to rest and its influence on the sleep of pilots.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Analisar a associação da organização do trabalho e dos aspectos do sono com a capacidade para o trabalho entre pilotos da aviação regular. MÉTODOS: Foi realizada uma pesquisa epidemiológica transversal, com 1.234 pilotos da aviação regular, que realizavam voos de rotas nacionais e internacionais, afiliados à Associação Brasileira de Pilotos da Aviação Civil. A coleta de dados foi feita através de questionário on-line. Para comparação entre as proporções foram realizados os testes de hipóteses qui-quadrado de Pearson ou Exato de Fisher. Posteriormente, foi efetuada a análise de Poisson, com variância robusta, para testar os fatores associados à capacidade moderada ou baixa para o trabalho. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de capacidade para o trabalho moderada ou baixa foi de 43,3%. Verificou-se que autopercepção de sono insuficiente (RP = 1,29; IC95% 1,06-1,57), maior percepção para fadiga (RP = 1,51; IC95% 1,24-1,84), jornada de voo maior que 65 horas por mês (RP = 1,22; IC95% 1,01-1,46), menos de 10 dias de folga por mês (RP = 1,27; IC95% 1,04-1,55) e atrasos operacionais frequentes (RP = 1,23; IC95% 1,02-1,48) foram fatores associados à capacidade moderada ou baixa para o trabalho. CONCLUSÕES: A organização do trabalho foi um fator determinante para a diminuição da capacidade para o trabalho, em especial quanto aos aspectos relacionados ao descanso e suas repercussões no sono de pilotos.

The Pilot Aptitude Tester e a seleção de pilotos / The Pilot Aptitude Tester and the pilot selection / The Pilot Aptitude Tester y la Selección de Pilotos

Desde a Primeira Guerra Mundial, há um grande investimento na seleção de pilotos militares por parte das Forças Aéreas com o intuito de diminuir os altos custos envolvidos na formação do piloto militar por meio da diminuição do atrito (fracasso) na instrução aérea. Porém, foi na Segunda Guerra Mundial que os testes psicológicos, que mensuravam aptidões psicomotoras e cognitivas, passaram a ser mais efetivos em predizer a aptidão para a pilotagem, contribuindo para a diminuição do atrito encontrado nas instruções aéreas. Um dos poucos testes psicológicos construídos especialmente para a seleção de pilotos é o The Pilot Aptitude Tester (PILAPT), uma bateria de seis testes que avaliam aptidões psicomotoras e cognitivas voltadas para a atividade aérea, adquirido pela Força Aérea Brasileira para ser inserido em sua seleção de pilotos militares.(AU)

Since World War I, the Air Forces has made a major investment in the selection of military pilots with the purpose of reducing the high costs involved in military pilot training by reducing attrition (failure) in flight instruction. But it was in World War II that psychological tests that assess psychomotor and cognitive abilities became more effective in predicting aptitude for piloting, contributing to the reduction of attrition found in flight instructions. One of the few psychological tests designed for selecting pilots is The Pilot Aptitude Tester (PILAPT), a series of six tests that assess cognitive and psychomotor abilities with regard to flight activity, and which was acquired by the Brazilian Air Force to be used in their selection of military pilots.(AU)

Desde la Primera Guerra Mundial hay una gran inversión en la selección de los pilotos militares de la Fuerza Aérea con el fin de reducir los altos costos involucrados en la formación de pilotos militares, reduciendo la deserción (fracaso) en la instrucción de vuelo. Pero fue la Segunda Guerra Mundial que los tests psicológicos que mensuraban habilidades psicomotoras y cognitivas, se hicieron más eficaces en la predicción de la aptitud para pilotar, lo que contribuyen a la reducción de la deserción que se encuentra en las instrucciones de vuelo. Una de las pocas pruebas dirigidas especialmente para la selección de los pilotos es The Pilot Aptitude Tester (PILAPT), una batería de seis pruebas que evalúan las habilidades cognitivas y psicomotoras orientadas hacia la actividad aérea, adquirido por la Fuerza Aérea Brasileña para ser insertado en su selección de pilotos militares.(AU)

Aspectos nutricionais e estresse de pilotos de aeronaves de instrução / Nutritional aspects and stress of the flight instructors in civil aviation

Objetivo ­ Avaliar os aspectos nutricionais dos pilotos de aeronaves de instrução civil e seus níveis de estresse desenvolvidos em trabalho e traçar uma possível relação entre essas duas variáveis. Métodos ­ Foi realizado coleta de dados antropométricos (peso e altura). Também foi avaliado a ingestão alimentar a partir da aplicação do recordatório alimentar de três dias e verificação do nível de estresse dos pilotos pelo instrumento de avaliação de estresse de Burnout. A amostra foi composta por 24 pilotos do gênero masculino da região de Jundiaí e Campinas. Resultados ­ Observou-se que 37,5% (n=9) dos voluntários apresentaram-se eutróficos, 50% (n=12) em sobrepeso e 12,5% (n=3) em obesidade grau I. Verificou-se que 75% (n=18) dos pilotos atingiram a necessidade de ingestão calórica recomendada. Todos atingiram a ingestão adequada de proteínas, carboidratos e lipídeos, entretanto, 91% (n=22) apresentaram baixo consumo de vitamina A, C, cálcio, magnésio, folato e fibras e, 87,5% (n=21), apresentaram consumo elevado de sódio. Verificou-se que 33% (n=8) encontram-se na fase inicial de estresse e 66% (n=16) apresentam possibilidade de desenvolver estresse. Conclusão ­ Os pilotos apresentaram baixos níveis de estresse, entretanto o consumo inadequado de nutrientes e os desajustes no peso corporal podem comprometer a saúde e aumentar as chances de desenvolver doenças associadas à nutrição conforme elevação de estresse em trabalho.

Objective ­ To evaluate the nutritional aspects of the pilots of civil aircraft instruction and your stress levels developed in work and outline a possible relationship between these two variables. Methods ­ We conducted anthropometric data (weight and height). Is was also assessed food intake from the application of the three-day food recall, and checked the level of stress in pilots using the Burnout stress assessment tool. The sample consisted of 24 male flight instructors from the Jundiaí and Campinas region. Results ­ It was observed that 37.5% (n=9) of the volunteers had to be eutrophic, 50% (n=12) in overweight and 12.5% (n=3) in obesity degree I. It was that 75% (n=18) of the pilots reached the need for recommended caloric intake, on the other hand showed high intake of cholesterol. All reached the adequate intake of protein, carbohydrates and lipids, however, 91% (n=22) had low intake of vitamin A, C, calcium, magnesium, folate and fiber and 87.5% (n=21) high consumption of sodium. It was found that 33.33% (n=8) lying at the initial stage of stress and 66.66% (n=16) have possibility of developing stress. Conclusions ­ The pilots had low levels of stress, however,inadequate nutrient intake and imbalances in body weight, this can compromise the health and flight safety and also increase the chances of developing diseases associated with nutrition as high stress work.

Ergonomics, safety, and resilience in the helicopter offshore transportation system of Campos Basin.

BACKGROUND: Air transportation of personnel to offshore oil platforms is one of the major hazards of this kind of endeavor. Pilot performance is a key factor in the safety of the transportation system. OBJECTIVE: This study seeks to identify the ergonomic factors present in pilots' activities that may in some way compromise or enhance their performance, the constraints and affordances which they are subject to; and where possible to link these to their associated risk factors. METHODS: Methodology adopted in this project studies work in its context. It is a merging of Activity Analysis (Guerin et al. 2001) of European tradition with Cognitive Task Analysis (CTA - www.ctaresource.com) articulated with the recent approaches to cognitive systems engineering developed by Professors David Woods and Erik Hollnagel. Fifty-five hours of field interviews provided the input for analysis. RESULTS: Sixteen ergonomic constraints were identified, some cognitive, some physical, all considered relevant by the research subjects and expert advisers. CONCLUSIONS: Although the safety record of the personnel transportation system studied is considered acceptable, there is low hanging fruit to be picked which can help improve the system's safety.