As the holiday travel season approaches, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is taking steps to address the issue of fatigue among air traffic controllers. In response to a series of close call incidents this year, the FAA has announced the formation of a special panel to review the impact and safety risks of on-the-job fatigue faced by these vital personnel.
The decision to convene the panel comes after an alarming incident involving a FedEx flight and a departing Southwest Airlines flight in Austin earlier this year. The National Transportation Safety Board reported that the two planes came within a mere hundred feet of colliding. The air traffic controller on duty during the incident divulged that he was in the middle of an overtime shift on a grueling six-day work week.
The newly formed panel aims to address this pressing issue that affects countless travelers. Instead of using outdated, rigid methods of monitoring sleep and duty hours, the panel aims to take a more holistic approach. It recognizes the influence of factors such as circadian rhythms and personal lives on fatigue and well-restedness.
Twitter Post On FAA Launches Panel to Address Air Traffic Controller Fatigue
However, the challenges faced by the FAA in increasing its air traffic controller workforce should not be overlooked. The job itself requires a unique set of skills and mental acuity. The controllers must possess the ability to think in the fourth dimension, considering not just the current situation but anticipating future movements and potential collisions.
While automation has reduced the burden to some extent, there are still scenarios where air traffic controllers must operate blind, such as during whiteout or foggy conditions. Finding individuals who possess the necessary mental acuity and vigilance to handle these responsibilities can be a daunting task.
Despite these challenges, it is important to note that the aviation system remains extremely safe. The FAA constantly strives to improve safety, and the formation of this panel is part of that ongoing effort. While it is not an immediate critical issue, addressing the indicators of near misses and near collisions is crucial to maintaining and enhancing the system's safety standards.
In a separate development, Reliable Robotics recently made headlines by flying a cargo plane over California without a single human on board. However, it is important to highlight that this is not yet scalable to the general population. While Reliable Robotics is working with the FAA to certify the technology for commercial operations, it is expected to take several more years before pilotless commercial flights become a reality. However, the company's progress in the cargo transportation sector is promising, with expectations of unmanned planes delivering packages in the near future.
Overall, the FAA's initiative to combat fatigue among air traffic controllers and the advancements in autonomous flight technology represent significant steps towards improving the safety and efficiency of air travel. While there may be challenges ahead, the goal of creating a better and safer aviation system remains steadfast.
