About 93% of pilots admit napping during flights in German survey

"The Vereinigung Cockpit union said it had carried out a survey of more than 900 pilots in recent weeks, which found that 93% of them admitted to napping during a flight in the past few months. While cautioning that the survey was not representative, the union said 44% of pilots asked had napped regularly during flights, 12% on every flight, while 7% couldn't remember how often it happened."

"Napping has long become the norm in German cockpits, said Katharina Dieseldorff, vice-president of Vereinigung Cockpit, which represents 10,000 pilots, cockpit workers and trainees. What was originally intended as a short-term recovery measure has turned into a permanent answer to structural pressure. She added: A short nap is not critical in and of itself. But a permanently exhausted cockpit crew is a significant risk."

A survey of more than 900 pilots found 93% admitted to napping during flights in recent months. Forty-four percent reported napping regularly, 12% on every flight, and 7% could not remember how often it happened. Vereinigung Cockpit represents 10,000 pilots, cockpit workers and trainees. Napping was defined as controlled rest phases during the flight phase. What was originally intended as a short-term recovery measure has become a permanent response to structural pressure. Staff shortages and rising operational pressure, especially during summer months, have increased fatigue. A short nap can aid recovery, but a permanently exhausted cockpit crew poses a significant safety risk.

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