Is this what pilot fatigue looks like?

[@ramoneortiz]

Good video. I have had many long trips in my Turbo Arrow III and in my previous airplane a Cessna 182RG with long range fuel tanks. I have since then realized that 3 hours is the most time I want to be in the air before needing a break. Buy 3 hours, it’s also time to refuel as well. Greetings from a fellow PA28S owner in 1T7, a central Texas Airpark in Spring Branch, Texas USA.

[@ruthkelly8651]

So much in here that resonates with me. I typically sleep six and a half hours. I'm always groggy for the first 2-3 hours after waking (usually around 05:30) and I have learned not to make go/no go decisions during that period. If I did I would probably never fly. It gets very tricky if I'm planning any kind of challenging trip because, like you, that will disrupt my sleep. Six and a half hours sleep already feels slightly marginal to be honest so if I only get 5 then I will almost certainly scrap my plans. This is making it tricky to push myself to fly more distant/unknown destinations. My current strategy is to fly with another pilot in the back seat, which is a real help. I live in hope that as I relax into it I will, eventually, be able to plan a challenging solo flight without losing sleep. It's all for fun anyway so happily I'm prepared to take my time...

[@AussieAndyHardy]

Absolutely agree - IMSAFE is so important. When planning my flight to Aus in my Cherokee back in 2013, the biggest risk I identified was me: the risk of being fatigued with some legs planned as long as 10 hours (with ferry tanks) plus even longer to reach an Alternate if needed meant that I needed a co-pilot (thanks Sam!), especially as I lack an autopilot, to be able to do the journey safely.

[@Robinbamv]

You might not be a fatigue expert but having flown for a LoCo airline doing 90+ hours flying a month I became an expert. The real killer is disrupted sleep patterns, if you can get into a sleep pattern then is easy to catch up on sleep . Fatigue is insidious , it creeps up on you and you become the last to know about your own fatigue. I finally hit the buffers when after a string of 03:00 reports finishing in the late afternoon when sprung on me by surprise was the last duty for the week having had a 24 hour break was a. 23:00 start in the simulator, I was greeted but the trainer / checker with the words “ you look like sh1t !” . Hardly surprising since after a string of early’s I was staring work when I should have been climbing into bed…….. the next day my doctor put me off work for a month to recover. The best advice I can give is if you start to feel you are a spectator at your own life it is a sure sign of fatigue . I suspect I know the answer to this question but why did you not use the autopilot to reduce your workload during the IMC part of the flight to Perth ?

[@DavidSimpson-fk8qo]

Very interesting video.

[@Falckodotcom]

Once, I had a very busy day at work when I was scheduled to fly with passengers. The route to the airfield was quite congested, causing me to run late and feel pressured to go faster than I wanted to. Long story short, while on the taxiway, I accidentally entered the runway, crossing the line. The airfield had just been rearranged. The controller rightfully gave me a hard time about it. That was a turning point for me. Now, if I feel rushed, I tell my passengers that I need some extra time and ask them to wait, or I might reschedule the flight.

[@darrenwheeler6469]

Sleep is the No.1 factor where fatigue is concerned. I’ve flown days with 4 hour legs back to back, or 6 hours in one go on task (ferrying and calibrating). Without a good nights sleep beforehand you are doomed to fail, or at least not fulfill the task well. No 2 is “fuel”. How long between breakfast and getting airborne? Did you have anything to eat whilst waiting for the weather to clear, and during the flight. If the above answer is “nothing” then how many hours without ingesting food (fuel) and hydration? Aircraft can’t fly without fuel, and neither can we. No.3 is familiarity with the environment or task - this is a stressor. Unfamiliar with the aircraft - ok, we’ve all been there, but couple that with the leg length and you’ve got a stressor which is difficult to cope with due to (1) above, and (2) if that has been the case. All of the above are capable for most of us to deal with if they’re the only issue - put 2 out of the three together, it’s time to step back and say “Stop, think”.

[@classicraceruk1337]

Learning to fly long legs is a complex area. Putting hand flying IMC into the pot makes it more so. How many VMC 3 hr or longer trips had you completed before that flight?

[@peterkelseyferryair2396]

Hi Jon, Not flown an Arrow in quite a while, but I am curious what the Red Flashing light by the Gear Switch is? I seem to think it is Gear UNSAFE but I might be wrong? (first noticed at 2m28secs ) I think a microswitch in the throttle quadrant activates a warning horn and red WARNING GEAR UNSAFE light under the following conditions: Gear up and power reduced below approximately 14 inches of manifold pressure, or automatic extension triggered and gear handle in UP position ?

[@SimonAmazingClarke]

Question - if you said to ATC that you were feeling fatigued, would they be able to help you in anyway? You said that you noticed that you were starting to feel fatigue, which is a good start. You can be more observant on what you are doing.

[@Senseigainz]

ATC would just give track and distance to closest airfield and request if you need assistance. Other than that nothing.

[@danko6582]

For me, flying is not so much tiring, it's boring doing long hours along a Victor airway with low visual stimulation. Add altitude and a change of time zones and it becomes a danger.

[@TheLincolnshireFlyer]

Hi Jon. What platform do you use to create your thumbnail?

[@wagnertenor]

I fly a lot. Best friend is the Autopilot.