What are the three types of fatigue experienced in aviation?

The three types of fatigue recognized in aviation are transient, cumulative, and circadian. Transient fatigue typically results from a lack of sleep over a short period, such as an all-night flight or a series of disrupted rest cycles. Cumulative fatigue occurs when small amounts of fatigue accumulate over time, such as when a pilot consistently gets less sleep than needed for optimal performance, leading to degraded performance levels. Circadian fatigue is related to the body’s natural biological clock and can be significantly impacted by factors like time zone changes and sleep cycles, often leading to alertness issues during specific times of day.

Understanding these types of fatigue is crucial for pilots to manage their performance and ensure they maintain peak cognitive and physical function during critical operations. By recognizing the signs and types of fatigue, pilots can take proactive measures to mitigate risks associated with fatigue-related performance decrements.