A-88-010
NTSB Safety Recommendation — Aviation
Recommendation text
THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: DEVELOP AND CONDUCT A RESEARCH PROGRAM TO MEASURE THE EFFECT OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE (EMS) PILOT WORKLOAD, SHIFT LENGTHS, AND CIRCADIAN RHYTHM DISRUPTIONS ON EMS HELICOPTER PILOT PERFORMANCE. THIS RESEARCH PROGRAM SHOULD BE CONDUCTED IN COOPERATION WITH THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION WHICH HAS DEVELOPED TECHNIQUES TO MEASURE THE INFLUENCE OF WORKLOAD AND FATIGUE ON HELICOPTER PILOT PERFORMANCE. THIS RESEARCH SHOULD INCLUDE EVALUATION OF ONE AND TWO-PILOT CREWS. THE RESULTS OF THIS RESEARCH SHOULD BE USED TO EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CURRENT FLIGHT TIME/DUTY TIME REGULATION IN PROVIDING EMS PILOTS ADEQUATE REST.
In plain language (FlightFinder summary)
The FAA is asked to develop and conduct a research program, in cooperation with NASA, to measure how workload, shift lengths, and circadian rhythm disruptions affect EMS helicopter pilot performance. The research should evaluate both one- and two-pilot crews, and its results should be used to assess whether the current flight time/duty time regulations provide EMS pilots with adequate rest.
This plain-language summary is written by FlightFinder to explain the recommendation above. It is not the official wording — the verbatim NTSB text is quoted above.
Details
| Status | Closed - Acceptable Alternate Action |
|---|---|
| Mode | Aviation |
| Closed | Oct 28, 1994 |
| NTSB number | 80666 |
| Addressees | FAA |
External links
NTSB safety recommendations are advisory; addressees are not legally required to adopt them. Source: NTSB CAROL (public domain).