A new report has raised alarming concerns about aviation safety after finding that a large proportion of pilots have experienced brief episodes of sleep while in the cockpit. According to the European Cockpit Association (ECA), more than three in four pilots have fallen asleep while operating an aircraft, the New York Post reported. The study, released this week and involving approximately 7,200 pilots, found that 76.8% of respondents had experienced at least one episode of involuntary sleep at the controls during the four weeks preceding the survey. The report described these episodes as "microsleeps," which the National Sleep Foundation defines as brief, involuntary periods of sleep lasting several seconds. People experiencing them may not even realize they have fallen asleep, posing significant safety risks for those operating vehicles or aircraft. In some cases, a person experiencing a microsleep may appear awake, even with their eyes open, while their brain temporarily stops processing information. The National Sleep Foundation explains that microsleeps are a common symptom of sleep deprivation. Fatigue is a major factor behind these episodes during flights. The study found that 38.8% of pilots usually or always lacked sufficient rest to prevent fatigue from accumulating. A culture of silence and pushing through exhaustion despite the risks also remains prevalent in cockpits. Only 37.2% of pilots said they report themselves unfit to fly when experiencing fatigue. Meanwhile, 24.2% admitted that they do not report their fatigue and continue flying despite feeling unfit for duty, citing fears of punishment or negative reactions from management. The study also highlighted concerns surrounding "Commander's Discretion," a provision under aviation regulations that allows aircraft commanders to extend a flight duty period or reduce the required rest period. Some 38.3% of respondents reported using this discretion at least once during the previous four weeks, while 15.2% said they had used it twice or more. Approximately 69.1% of pilots also expressed concern about facing negative consequences if they refused to extend their duty hours. "When pilots fear career consequences, fatigue goes unreported and the risk returns to the cockpit," Captain Coen George, an ECA board director, said in a statement. He stressed that airlines and aviation authorities must ensure pilots can report fatigue without fear of punishment and that Commander's Discretion is used appropriately. George also pointed out that some airlines pressure flight crews to extend their working hours to make up for delays and even penalize those who refuse to extend their duty periods. "We have repeatedly warned aviation authorities about these pressures, which clearly undermine our safety margins, but we are still waiting for effective action to put an end to them," he said.
