Results 1 to 15 of 15

Thread: Pilot Falls Asleep - is it really that much of an issue?

  1. #1
    Senior Member Smudger's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    St Albans
    Posts
    3,834
    Thanks
    643
    Thanked
    608 times in 444 posts
    • Smudger's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gbyte GA-970A-UD3P
      • CPU:
      • AMD FX8320 Black Edition
      • Memory:
      • 16GB 2x8G CML16GX3M2A1600C10
      • Storage:
      • 1x240Gb Corsair M500, 2TB TOSHIBA DT01ACA200
      • Graphics card(s):
      • XFX Radeon HD4890 1GB
      • PSU:
      • Corsair HX520
      • Case:
      • Akasa Zen
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10 Home
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell 24"
      • Internet:
      • Virgin 200Mbit

    Pilot Falls Asleep - is it really that much of an issue?

    Saw this on the BBC:

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-21628746

    And I have to say, I was shocked that the pilots don't fall asleep. He had a co-pilot, and the autopilot was on. Where was the danger? Is this just people who don't understand the tech being shocked because they're told to be, or is there a serious issue I'm missing here?

  2. #2
    Banhammer in peace PeterB kalniel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Posts
    30,748
    Thanks
    1,787
    Thanked
    3,285 times in 2,647 posts
    • kalniel's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte Z390 Aorus Ultra
      • CPU:
      • Intel i9 9900k
      • Memory:
      • 32GB DDR4 3200 CL16
      • Storage:
      • 1TB Samsung 970Evo+ NVMe
      • Graphics card(s):
      • nVidia GTX 1060 6GB
      • PSU:
      • Seasonic 600W
      • Case:
      • Cooler Master HAF 912
      • Operating System:
      • Win 10 Pro x64
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell S2721DGF
      • Internet:
      • rubbish

    Re: Pilot Falls Asleep - is it really that much of an issue?

    Depends if they're being paid to sleep on the job I guess.

  3. #3
    Oh Crumbs.... Biscuit's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    N. Yorkshire
    Posts
    11,193
    Thanks
    1,394
    Thanked
    1,091 times in 833 posts
    • Biscuit's system
      • Motherboard:
      • MSI B450M Mortar
      • CPU:
      • AMD 2700X (Be Quiet! Dark Rock 3)
      • Memory:
      • 16GB Patriot Viper 2 @ 3466MHz
      • Storage:
      • 500GB WD Black
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Sapphire R9 290X Vapor-X
      • PSU:
      • Seasonic Focus Gold 750W
      • Case:
      • Lian Li PC-V359
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10 x64
      • Internet:
      • BT Infinity 80/20

    Re: Pilot Falls Asleep - is it really that much of an issue?

    Quote Originally Posted by kalniel View Post
    Depends if they're being paid to sleep on the job I guess.
    Thats not really an issue for the public though is it?
    If there is a co-pilot there and the autopilot is on then as far as im concerned he can snooze away. I would rather he was rested and ready for the parts of flight where its necessary to be fully engaged than wear himself out staring at clouds while a computer does all the work.

    This is just the usual media, making a massive deal out of a story when they don't understand the intricacies of it.

  4. #4
    Larkspeed
    Guest

    Re: Pilot Falls Asleep - is it really that much of an issue?

    First let me say that I think it's a good idea for a pilot to grab a nap if he needs it.

    long haul flights have a special little room attached to the cockpit that the pilot can go into a grab a nap if he wants.

    Pilots frequently take little micro naps of 5 to 15 minutes in their seat and I think the reason they are making a big deal out of this is because the outdated regulations state a pilot is not allowed to sleep while at the controls of the plane.

    If he had gone into the little bunk room then nothing would have probably been said about it.

  5. #5
    jim
    jim is offline
    HEXUS.clueless jim's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Location: Location:
    Posts
    11,435
    Thanks
    612
    Thanked
    1,639 times in 1,304 posts
    • jim's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus Maximus IV Gene-Z
      • CPU:
      • i5 2500K @ 4.5GHz
      • Memory:
      • 8GB Corsair Vengeance LP
      • Storage:
      • 1TB Sandisk SSD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • ASUS GTX 970
      • PSU:
      • Corsair AX650
      • Case:
      • Silverstone Fortress FT03
      • Operating System:
      • 8.1 Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell S2716DG
      • Internet:
      • 10 Mbps ADSL

    Re: Pilot Falls Asleep - is it really that much of an issue?

    He didn't even nap though, by the looks of it he was asleep for perhaps 2 minutes in total.

    I really couldn't care less.

  6. #6
    SUMMONER
    Guest

    Re: Pilot Falls Asleep - is it really that much of an issue?

    I think that if a pilot wants to sleep then he/she should leave the cockpit/pilot seat.

    If you are sitting behind the stick, even if you are not actually in charge of the plane at the time, I would expect you to be awake and alert (ie: doing the job you are paid to do).

  7. #7
    Seething Cauldron of Hatred TheAnimus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Posts
    17,164
    Thanks
    803
    Thanked
    2,152 times in 1,408 posts

    Re: Pilot Falls Asleep - is it really that much of an issue?

    Total media over-reaction.

    It makes me wonder because a certain pilot rumour site was ablaze with the tail of the french flight which overflew their destination in Africa, because both where asleep.......
    throw new ArgumentException (String, String, Exception)

  8. #8
    SUMMONER
    Guest

    Re: Pilot Falls Asleep - is it really that much of an issue?

    Quote Originally Posted by TheAnimus View Post
    It makes me wonder because a certain pilot rumour site was ablaze with the tail of the french flight which overflew their destination in Africa, because both where asleep.......
    That is just scary.

    Just imagine 2 groggy, half a sleep pilots fumbling about with controls, trying to get on top of what is happening.

    I guess pilots are just glorified bus drivers these days.

  9. #9
    Seething Cauldron of Hatred TheAnimus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Posts
    17,164
    Thanks
    803
    Thanked
    2,152 times in 1,408 posts

    Re: Pilot Falls Asleep - is it really that much of an issue?

    Nah bus drivers have to stay awake.

    But in seriousness, imagine doing nothing for 4/5 hours, nothing at all, and being awake. Most of the time the pilots do so little, autopilots do everything. Often they only do the minimum of manual flying to keep their ratings.
    throw new ArgumentException (String, String, Exception)

  10. #10
    SUMMONER
    Guest

    Re: Pilot Falls Asleep - is it really that much of an issue?

    I am never setting foot onto another plane again... until it's holiday time again that is.

    In case you are wondering, the thought of a self driving car scares me too.

  11. #11
    Moosing about! CAT-THE-FIFTH's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Not here
    Posts
    31,619
    Thanks
    3,755
    Thanked
    5,059 times in 3,911 posts
    • CAT-THE-FIFTH's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Less E-PEEN
      • CPU:
      • Massive E-PEEN
      • Memory:
      • RGB E-PEEN
      • Storage:
      • Not in any order
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVEN BIGGER E-PEEN
      • PSU:
      • OVERSIZED
      • Case:
      • UNDERSIZED
      • Operating System:
      • DOS 6.22
      • Monitor(s):
      • NOT USUALLY ON....WHEN I POST
      • Internet:
      • FUNCTIONAL

    Re: Pilot Falls Asleep - is it really that much of an issue?

    Its a good thing Moose don't have wings!!

  12. #12
    The late but legendary peterb - Onward and Upward peterb's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Looking down & checking on swearing
    Posts
    19,378
    Thanks
    2,892
    Thanked
    3,403 times in 2,693 posts

    Re: Pilot Falls Asleep - is it really that much of an issue?

    I went to a lecture by an psychologist who specialised in air accidents. He made the interesting point (partially tongue in cheek) that because many accidents are caused by pilot error, rather than have pilots doing little except supervise computers, which is boring, perhaps it would be better if the pilots flew the aircraft, supervised by the computers.
    (\__/)
    (='.'=)
    (")_(")

    Been helped or just 'Like' a post? Use the Thanks button!
    My broadband speed - 750 Meganibbles/minute

  13. Received thanks from:


  14. #13
    Hexus.Jet TeePee's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Gallup, NM
    Posts
    5,290
    Thanks
    128
    Thanked
    698 times in 410 posts

    Re: Pilot Falls Asleep - is it really that much of an issue?

    *Yawn*

  15. Received thanks from:

    MaddAussie (02-03-2013)

  16. #14
    HEXUS.social member finlay666's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Newcastle
    Posts
    8,546
    Thanks
    297
    Thanked
    894 times in 535 posts
    • finlay666's system
      • CPU:
      • 3570k
      • Memory:
      • 16gb
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 6950 2gb
      • Case:
      • Fractal R3
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 8
      • Monitor(s):
      • U2713HM and V222H
      • Internet:
      • cable

    Re: Pilot Falls Asleep - is it really that much of an issue?

    Quote Originally Posted by TeePee View Post
    *Yawn*
    Working hard there?
    H3XU5 Social FAQ
    Quote Originally Posted by tiggerai View Post
    I do like a bit of hot crumpet

  17. #15
    The late but legendary peterb - Onward and Upward peterb's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Looking down & checking on swearing
    Posts
    19,378
    Thanks
    2,892
    Thanked
    3,403 times in 2,693 posts

    Re: Pilot Falls Asleep - is it really that much of an issue?

    Quote Originally Posted by TeePee View Post
    *Yawn*
    Quote Originally Posted by finlay666 View Post
    Working hard there?
    No, he's flying!
    (\__/)
    (='.'=)
    (")_(")

    Been helped or just 'Like' a post? Use the Thanks button!
    My broadband speed - 750 Meganibbles/minute

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •