Sleep researchers study pilots flying east-west route

Sleep researchers at the University of South Australia are studying the effects that late-night flights from Perth to the east coast have on the performance of commercial pilots.

Pilots taking part in the study will be asked to wear activity monitors for a week, either side of a late night or “back of clock” flight.

They will also use computers to test their reaction times during the flights.

Senior Research Fellow Dr Matthew Thomas says the knowledge gained should help airlines build safer flight rosters.

“One of the things we’re focusing on is rest after a ‘back-of-clock’ sector,” he said.

“A quick return to work for another night flight, perhaps, is that better or worse than a 24-hour rest period or even longer?”

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