FAA Tests for Sleep Apnea in Overweight Pilots
FAA officials announced that the agency will soon begin testing all obese pilots for sleep apnea.
Federal Aviation Administration officials announced that the agency will soon begin testing all obese pilots for sleep apnea.
The condition is a particular danger to the aviation industry as those suffering from it are unable to consistently get a full night of restful sleep.
According to the Federal Air Surgeon, Fred Tilton, obstructive sleep apnea can cause, “excessive daytime sleepiness, cognitive impairment…sudden cardiac death” and “personality disturbances…to cite just a few.”
Other experts have likened the disorder’s daytime effects to those of drunkenness, a state that is decidedly undesirable among people flying planes.
As sleep apnea is a common disorder found in obese individuals, all pilots with a body mass index over 40 will be tested for it. The FAA will also be checking out people with neck measurements greater than 17 inches.
In time, the mandatory testing BMI of 40 will be lowered to 30.
The move follows an incident 5 years ago when two pilots, one of whom was obese and had apnea, fell asleep and missed their landing at a Hawaii airport.
Although no one was hurt the potential for catastrophe was not lost on aviation authorities.
Federal Aviation Administration officials announced that the agency will soon begin testing all obese pilots for sleep apnea.
The condition is a particular danger to the aviation industry as those suffering from it are unable to consistently get a full night of restful sleep.
According to the Federal Air Surgeon, Fred Tilton, obstructive sleep apnea can cause, “excessive daytime sleepiness, cognitive impairment…sudden cardiac death” and “personality disturbances…to cite just a few.”
Other experts have likened the disorder’s daytime effects to those of drunkenness, a state that is decidedly undesirable among people flying planes.
As sleep apnea is a common disorder found in obese individuals, all pilots with a body mass index over 40 will be tested for it. The FAA will also be checking out people with neck measurements greater than 17 inches.
In time, the mandatory testing BMI of 40 will be lowered to 30.
The move follows an incident 5 years ago when two pilots, one of whom was obese and had apnea, fell asleep and missed their landing at a Hawaii airport.
Although no one was hurt the potential for catastrophe was not lost on aviation authorities.
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