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Stress and Fatigue in Helicopter Pilots of the Air Rescue Services

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The helicopter based emergency medical services operate between sunrise and sundown, implicating up to 15.5 h duty time for helicopter pilots during summer time. Here, it is possible for the hours of flight duty to reach the prescribed limits or to even exceed them - particularly with high frequencies of operations. The resulting special situation of strain for helicopter pilots was examined in two aero-medical studies on behalf of the Federal Minister of Transportation in order to be able to derive recommendations for possibly necessary legal measures.

For an assessment of the work load, stress and recovery, the ECG, the activity, catecholamines and cortisol were frequently recorded, as were subjective statements on work strain, fatigue and sleep.

The results of a first study conducted 1989 in co-operation with the ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher AutomibilClub - the German automobile association) were: (1) the schedule of operations for helicopter pilots was altered and (2) new regulations that take the needs of the air rescue services into consideration for periods of flight, flight duty and rest were developed that are to be valid in Germany independent of the 2nd DVOLuftBO.

 The results of the second study show that the new regulation for periods of flight, flight duty and rest for helicopter pilots in the air rescue services constitutes a sensible compromise. It can be seen as a basis for a harmonization on a European level.

Click here for a detailed summary of the results of the first study and click here for an extensive summary of the results of the second study