Can pilots sleep while flying? Mentour Pilot explains.

In this video I will be talking about if pilots are allowed to sleep while they are flying and if so, how it is done and controlled.
This will form part of my "pilot secrets" playlist, I really hope you will enjoy it.
For more "Pilot explains" topics, check out my other playlists.
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[@iandavies6575]

As a shiftworker for almost 40 years, I know how tiredness can creep in easily on nights and if you get up early.Pilots are just like any other human

[@MentourPilot]

Absolutely correct.

[@pquodling]

Yrs ago, I was only passenger in corporate fairchild merlin, it was only a/c in area, doing a 5 hr over ocean run, so pilot got me to sit in Right seat. Got to cruise, autopilot set, he tells me to listen on radio for our callsign, puts newspaper over his face, and has a nap for About 30 minutes, during which, my eyes were darting everywhere, and I was listening intently (to nothing).

[@737Garrus]

NO WAY! I wanted to be there too!!! O_O

[@oskar115]

Peter Quodling you so lucky. 👍

[@danielaramburo7648]

It would be cool if pilot stayed asleep, you land the jet like you are the pilot and wake him up “hey wake up! We landed and I need help with the luggage.” Pilot: you are a trained pilot? You: no, I watch KZbin videos on flying.

[@pquodling]

@@danielaramburo7648 Except this happened in the early 80s. Long before youtube, and long before flight simulator software - The Merlin wasn't a jet, it was a pressurized Twin Turboprop. And given that it was my first time in that plane, I don't think so.

[@wilhoroshak5035]

Wow. Awesome story.

[@compactc9]

I've known that on of the pilots can take a short nap if needed on longer flights, but never knew this much detail about it, very interesting, and it makes sense,I'd rather the pilot take the short nap if he/she needs it than risk fatigue causing an accident.

[@steeltrap3800]

That was very interesting. I know long hauls have 'hidden' sleeping compartments for crew as I've seen them on videos (be interested to hear how that works), but didn't know that there was a procedure for allowing relatively short haul flight crews to 'sleep' in their chairs. Great story about the school project. Being an old fart who did school/uni before everyone had PCs, let alone smart phones, I look today and often think "damn I wish we'd had these sorts of opportunities so readily available" (not to suggest it isn't a lot of work, but so many things today simply weren't possible back then). Cheers

[@modelllichtsysteme]

I'm sure the thumbs down come from people never been in a airplane. This video was very informative! Thanks :)

[@mykofreder1682]

For a 10 hour+ flight I would hope something like this happens, adding transport and prep time before the takeoff total active time could exceed 16 or 18 hours. I would prefer my pilot not land a plane at night with weather having been up more than 16 hours. I actually like sleep inertia if I stop on a road rest stop, it take a bit more to get going to that point where I am not groggy after waking up but I am good for another 8 hours, light sleeps only last about 4 hours.

[@michaelshort2388]

I think for 10 hour+ flights there are two sets of pilots on the plane so at some point the main pilot and first officer will go and have a sleep while the backups fly the plane and then they get woken up in time to handle landing.

[@bridgecross]

I think the thumbs down were people who were not doing absolutely fantastic.

[@hw2514]

Very true I really like mentour pilot and aspire to him

[@bizzwoofer]

Yea... all 38 out of thousands, lol.

[@scottb721]

Loved your line about taking care of yourself and letting your friends know they're important. Heartwarming :-)

[@lennysieg7499]

I'm up watching this until almost 1 AM and I love this Chanel to much to stop.

[@chefpaulo1071]

Hey Lenny, you should also check out Captain Joe's channel its brilliant

[@annatamparow4917]

Matching pillows and a wonderfully relaxed attitude! How wonderful, relatable and comfortable! Being a cat person, I don't even miss the dogs! Keep well, Captain Petter and family!

[@jagopr]

Love your videos. I lost the count of how many I watched. Keep going doing a great job!

[@gr8o2h2o]

I'm glad they have detailed out the sleep and wake up procedure. Good they also allow pilots to sleep at their station. The minute I unbuckle and stand up to walk to the sleep station, I awake and can't sleep. Sleep always seem to come on when there's nothing to do but monitoring especially on long haul flights.

[@grandpa1687]

Great video. I am reminded of a Delta flight (I think it was Delta), that took off from Atlanta and was flying to Tokyo. The PIC decided to make an unscheduled landing in Portland, Oregon because the relief crew couldn't get any rest. The reason given was the airline had installed seats closer to the sleeping compartment and it was too (crowd) noisy for the crew to sleep. I don't remember the outcome of that investigation, but there was a big stink about airline companies selling more seats which infringed on crew sleeping quarters. This occurred in the 1990's or early 2000's I believe. Anyway, thanks for the great explanation.

[@StuartWhelan-up8vs]

Wow thanks for sharing

[@lilliankiani2]

Very clear, you are a very good professor.

[@yehoshuaspak4881]

I really enjoy watching your videos keep it up i my self love aviation and you have really helped me get a better understanding of basic questions on it and I just wanted to let you know I really appreciate thank you so much

[@aaronwilliamson1720]

Thanks for the video Mentour!

[@vitorisaia]

Amazing. It's incredible how every little detail is taken in consideration and evaluated regarding the whole safety subject. I love aviation! (but I'm not a pilot, I'm a software engineer).

[@Marcus_PG]

lol, me too! Next time i fly I'll be analysing all the activities of he cabin crew and the announcements in detail based on all the Mentour videos I've been 'binge watching'. I may even ask the flight attendant if we will be doing an ILS approach for landing 🤣

[@omarijoseph3189]

this video is so so so cool,i always wanted to know about this as well,and you explained it beautifully...thank you

[@amalosmanola]

I just discovered your channel yesterday! Very informative!! Keep it up!

[@CAESARbonds]

Loved the thumbnail, very informative thanks

[@elizabethannferrario7113]

Hi very interesting regarding the college students must be very exciting for them and for pilots to have input ! You must keep us informed as their progress and eventually completion,

[@meenasakhi9071]

please do a day of mentour

[@steeltrap3800]

Don't worry, I'm sure if you get a large enough presence and views they'll see it as an opportunity; not to say I don't understand their current position, as I imagine they'd see it as the potential for things they don't want seen/to happen as being far larger than any potential benefit of allowing it. Should they want to take the time, however, I expect they could do a 'controlled' version with someone with a proven record of excellent, informative and entirely positive content such as yourself.

[@nminenko]

One word: lawyers.

[@steeltrap3800]

nminenko No, other airlines have done it. There's no such thing as a legal issue that can't be managed. Whether or not they think it's worth it is an entirely different matter.

[@Engineer9736]

Steeltrap It depends whos decision it is to make such video. If some of the managers decide such video should be there, then it will be there. If someone at the bottom of the company hierachy (or however your write that in English) wants to do it, theres a good chance the idea is just waved away.

[@IroAppe]

Based on your comments, I get the feeling that this means more than just Mentour streaming for one day. What does it mean exactly, and how does it connect to his company? Or whatever company you are talking about?

[@Nyck461]

I liked your explanation about "sleep". Thanks

[@andrewthebladethrower8371]

I was hoping to hear more about special techniques to stay awake, or mentally alert during critical parts of flight. Also, if there are tricks to getting a proper rest before the flight. It is hard to fall asleep during allocated time periods. Especially in unfamiliar place, like new hotel, different town etc, and wrong time of the day. Also, if there are special ways of recognizing that you are in trouble, how pilots monitor, if they do, their mental state.

[@abhishek19961000]

awesome video..doing great work sir...HATS OFF TO YOU

[@johnslaughter5475]

I learned long ago, about 50 years, that a short nap, say 15-30 minutes, where you go completely asleep, can be as good as a full night's sleep. I used to do it in the Navy when we were working some long hours. I could even lay down on the flight deck, next to the island, and go to sleep during a break. I'd wake up very refreshed. I even did it when some planes were turned up.

[@qbsaber]

Very well explained, Thank you

[@MentourPilot]

Thank YOU for watching. I hope you are enjoying the channel!

[@bicolouredprawn]

The way you explain this, the concept makes perfect sense. But I can understand why the public don't know about it, it's something I could easily imagine the tabloid newspapers twisting out of proportion if they ever got hold of it!

[@timc333]

I really like your videos , very informative , and well delivered , keep up the good work .

[@MentourPilot]

+timc333 Thank you! That's great to hear!

[@SierraHari]

That's entirely a new information for me.....thank u 😊

[@anushamehjabin6043]

amazing ! was waiting for a video from mentour!

[@inayathkhan100]

Very informative vlog on Pilot's sleep while flying... Thank you

[@stevechandra1607]

Great video 👍🏻 may God bless you.

[@ahmadarafa7643]

i appreciate what you do , thanks a lot

[@phanisj4775]

Quality videos. Thank you.

[@paulocesaralvarengaalvaren9881]

My dear Pilot, thank you!!!

[@auto_ego]

I like to perform a "controlled rest" after a late breakfast sometimes. Gosh it's nice to have such a comfy cockpit and no turbulence.

[@ronik24]

In 2004 I flew Vienna - Sydney with Austrian (777 still in Lauda Air livery). On the leg to Kuala Lumpur the 3rd pilot tried to get to the sleeping bunk but was not able to open the hatch, then had to look for someone from the cabin crew to open it... very confidence inspiring... ;-)

[@kicikici5]

Very interesting subject,thank you :)

[@masterandservant8021]

I just cannot undertsand how can it be people giving thumbs down to this guy..!

[@MentourPilot]

Thank you, that’s nice of you

[@justinbanta1372]

As a freshmen in high school, I'm starting to earn my ratings and licences! The channel has helped a lot!!!

[@lifeisntbeautiful]

You are my inspiration brother!!! 😍😍😍😁😁😁

[@brucekendall52]

Good info,thks.

[@iftinhussein7565]

you are so helpful☺

[@dinizen]

i am doing fantastic. if it was any better it would actually be worse. and i like this channel.

[@billytodd3822]

Another great video thanks :)

[@swedflyer4653]

Very interesting and very strange that I haven't heard about controlled sleep in my ATPL training. Also it's important for the companies to have a well planned and structured roster to keep the sleepiness away. I know that some of the largest airlines in Europe have improved the roster so that you can have a more structured life, this is very good where everyone are the winners in terms of safety and well being.

[@babjiakula3639]

Great video

[@loubakker5000]

General public do not know. Not doesn't know. I like your videos !

[@ascheerder7643]

Amazing app mentour 360 , i am also dreaming of becoming pilot only the financial aspect is a barriere .

[@danuttall]

And here I thought you were going to talk about relief crews. I guess the related questions would be "When does an airline flight use a relief crew?"

[@MentourPilot]

On flights where they are legally required. Longer than 13 hours for example.

[@lukaszchatys3620]

Great podcast!! When will you do day in the life of a pilot? Have a great weekend!!

[@parasuraravamudhan3774]

My long time question is answered well !

[@MentourPilot]

Great! I hope you liked it!

[@graveworks1130]

Good video, I wish the FAA would implement this, the USAF allows it, as do many international carriers, but US civil rules are way behind on this.

[@sylvesternzowa8458]

I have come to know a lot of things about a plane even on how to fly if while I haven't even boarded it this is just through your videos, Congratulations you you, you are more than a teacher.

[@ayushroy2347]

Awesome!

[@kamikami378]

nice information sir

[@jettpilot7460]

Hello Mentour Pilot, good job on that. I would like to point out that in the U.S. the FAA does not allow pilots to do controlled rest like that, but maybe it would be better if they did.

[@danielm3890]

Most interesting Mentour

[@omarijoseph3189]

i will download your App and give it a try

[@paulocesaralvarengaalvaren9881]

NICE,!!!

[@craiggilchrist4223]

Tankyou

[@R2Teabag]

Nice video, i have been wondering about this during long haul flights. Also, is this guy scandinavian? Sounds like a swedish/norwegian accent.

[@dann9208]

No wonder i hear a ding dong in the cabin so many times i keep thinking its the seatbelt sign

[@champanchile]

Hey - nice podcast, very interesting. I got a question: How do pilots deal with Jet Lag ? Thank U.

[@comradepawan]

Great video mentour. My airline has not yet have an established and approved controlled rest procedure. If you are willing and are allowed to, will you share with me the official documents regarding this policy, and the process in gaining the approval for this procedure. Will very much appreciate it. Love your videos.

[@jetrafans9318]

Bless you

[@danielbengtsson1665]

Very interesting!

[@MentourPilot]

Great! Im happy you liked it!

[@guitarman1921]

Hi mentour! Great video, just a quick question; when one join's an airline, does the applicant have a say in the aircraft he or she takes a type rating in, or is a choice made by the airline?

[@ashwinkumar4214]

They choose it for you

[@ahmadsaeed4323]

can you do a video in which you tell about ATC communication and how to understand it .that would be a great help .cheers!! ^_^

[@GaryNumeroUno]

Ahhh, I get it now... 'controlled sleep' is what you get when the cabin crew continually wake you up for drinks and meals or the person behind you decides you have slept enough and pokes or interferes with your seat back to wake you!

[@MartyrBrown]

I'm a truck driver. I understand how long shifts feel sometimes, especially when fatigued. Whenever I need rest, my minimum is 1 hour if I'm exhausted. I've rested for 30 minutes before, and I felt more exhausted than when I started.

[@davidestrada7514]

Really nice Channel. New sub

[@kjetilhjertholmjensen163]

Just for kicks; let the pilot take a rest a bit longer until he/she starts to dream (I think it's called REM sleep) and hopefully sleeptalk and have a chat. Just the moment you touch down you go "BOOOM" really loud: Record it and post it on youtube. It may be an interesting reaction and conversation. You make very good videos, Thanks. Your accent sound swedish.. Flying for SAS?? I was SAS groundcrew for many years at OSL. These metal tubes with wings is fascinating stuff :)

[@huevolutions]

Hi! Another great video. Please Could you answer this question? Is there any difference between a commercial pilot license acquired on Latin America and European while looking for job? I wanna get mine in Argentina. Thanks for sharing your knowledge! You're the Cap!

[@huevolutions]

Hi! Thanks for the answer! Let me see if i`m right: For example y I get my license in Europe and want to work in Asia, should I also convert it? Is it a region issue? Does it depends on the requirements of the airline wich I`m applying to? Is just office procedures or should I take some exam? I may start my career next year. Thank you for answering. I like your channel very much!! Bests regards!

[@alexmutiki9758]

Very 👍

[@TheManLab7]

Can I just say. I love your IKEA light. There so cool.

[@MentourPilot]

Thank you! I have to savour my Swedish heritage.

[@michaelshort2388]

Ah! I thought I heard a Scandinavian accent. Rolig att träffas. :D

[@GaryNumeroUno]

I love mine too... I call it the 'Death Star' light (because it resembles the death star from Star Wars!)... but maybe I should consider calling it the 'Mentour' light now!

[@StringerNews1]

LOL...funny how the same thing can mean different things to different people. I got mine because it reminded me of Pink Floyd concerts in the '80s and '90s. Both tours had large mirror balls that opened up, and light came out from the inside. I have mine in my music room, of course.

[@scottb721]

I just bought one last week and noticed in the videos the other day :-)

[@terezaklimentova2624]

Great video as always! :) Do you sleep during some of your flights? And how many times per year do you travel by plane as a normal passanger?

[@gardemeister]

Denzel Washington has a video about it with pretty cool sleep sunglasses.

[@drewnik62]

Also has a very good way of getting undrunk 😂

[@KarthikNakul]

the B777 and A380 have space for pilots to sleep :D , great video

[@maxchilla732]

also a330 340 350 300 310 and 767 747 have this

[@that_llama_in_a_tuxedo4584]

Pretty much all wide body aircraft have that.

[@9LimaAlpha7]

yh but no all of them,

[@IANNEIL77]

787_MD-11

[@FlyingTreg]

A little correction...they CAN have a sleeping bunk. This doesn't mean all of them have them. As you know, an airline orders it's aircraft with certain specifications in mind. The amount of seats, galleys, toilets,... and also the bunk. Installing a bunk is very expensive and it weights a lot. Weight that they can't use for extra (paying) cargo, passengers or fuel anymore. In my airline only a couple of our long haul aircraft have them installed.

[@AviationAndFSX]

so can you take an active rest from ex stockholm - gran canaria (6 hours) ??? cus the airspace over central Europe i've heard is reaaally busy!

[@faustsmith]

What do the Regulations state on rest prior to attending a ground school class for the airline the pilot is employed with? Please direct with any relevant links.

[@arnoldcaines9012]

I'm all for pilots taking a 30 minute cat nap. A 20-30 minute "power nap" works wonders. I drive bus and down time between runs really allows me to charge my batteries.

[@shonuffisthemaster]

im glad airlines are taking this realistic approch instead of just denying pilots get tired, id feel much safer if a pilot was taking a controlled, monotered sleep period rather than dozing off. work places of all sorts really need to get out of this mentality that sleeping while at work means your lazy or incompetent, etc. i work overnight security at an art musieum, verry critical job thats also verry boring and the weard hours / switching on my days off to sleeping at night means its difficult to be fully awake and alert on the job.. a number of years ago our then union rep went on a campaign to allow us to sleep on our breaks. she gathered and presented evidance and scientific studies about the benifits of napping and how you function much better on the job if allowed sleep periods. Now we are actually encouraged to sleep on our breaks and its not taboo at all, we have a comfortable couch in the locker room and you will usually see someone sleeping on there when you go in. i have a full setup with a blanket, ear plugs and a sleep mask and I would not be able to handle my overnight shift wihout the 3 naps i get on my breaks.

[@leo9272]

Hahhaha that thumbnail is genius. Don't have a question for the first time in my life you've answered them all!!! Thank you soo much for that ;-)

[@shayanprogamer1902]

Your welcome

[@RichardGMoss]

With long flights, e.g. LA to TLV are pilots allowed multiple rest periods?

[@adamwallace0929]

The procedure during a controlled rest with the cockpit contacting the cabin crew every 20 minutes is very intelligent actually. Before watching I thought about what if the remaining pilot became incapacitated but my question was obviously answered, great video once again. Thanks

[@shayanprogamer1902]

Nice house

[@lucylambert3113]

how about really long flights like halfway around the world, is there still the same time limit for naps or are they allowed to sleep for longer periods?

[@sidecarcn]

I'm curious is the rest period for long haul flights such as Singapore to London, which is 23.3 hours.

[@timgoodall737]

Is there any paperwork left on aircraft, or has it all gone digital/to ipad?

[@hbarudi]

30 minute rests in the flights that are at least 2 hours and 30 minutes? But what about longer flights such as Detroit (DTW) to Dubai (DXB)?

[@Keo-ug1uf]

Ive noticed on quite a few flights i have been on from The UK to Gran Canaria that when the pilot comes out of the cockpit for a toilet break or quick break, then one of the cabin crew goes into the cockpit, is this in case that for instance the First officer does something the Captain doesn't know about?

[@j7ndominica051]

Is there any benefit to sleeping for less than full time, and be forcibly woken up? I don't know anything about piloting. But I usualy feel cold and have distorted perception of time after waking up still un-rested. Better to not sleep at all, and put on some suitable uptempo music to chase sleep away. Maybe you can't do that, but some other alternative could work.

[@ericfedde]

Do pilots go into crew rest area if there are multiple sets of pilots onboard long haul flights?

[@yuuboi661]

Noice light you got there

[@peter2346]

Actually it makes sense because it is better for one to sleep in cruise than be "dying" on approach (like a maintenance during uneventful nightshift which is a nightmare...)

[@vedymin1]

What about step climbs ? Does that qualify as something both pilots need to be awake to ?

[@andromacha83]

Wow, I had no idea they slept in the cockpit, but I guess it makes sense considering all the safety and security measures that are in place...

[@andreash7688]

something in me thinks you are from sweden and i wonder if its correct :D btw greate video

[@danielm3890]

I have read - sont know if true or not - that persons working on night shift have a "low" at around 4-5.00 a.m. . Since then I have some concern about pilots flying red eye long distance flights during the whole night. Is this true, and if so, is it 100 0/0 neutralized by the rest procedures you describe ?