B767-300 and 300 ER
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Fatigue; Human-Machine Interface
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Human Factors; Staffing; Aircraft
Despite a 'perfect' flight - no significant delays; weather; or deviations - the lack of crew rest on this airplane is a threat to flight safety. The following was excerpted from my fatigue report:As always; the crew used lunch trays and extra blankets to create as much of a lie-flat surface as is possible among the three jumpseats on the back wall of the cockpit. Each of us was given a 2.5-hour rest break. None of us were able to fully fall asleep; at best we were able to doze off on occasion. Because of the complete lack of crew rest on this airplane; by making a make-shift bed along the jumpseats; we block access to the lavatory for hours at a time; and although the operating crew could access the galley; doing so invariably wakes up the pilot trying to rest. In deference to the resting pilot; we keep the lighting in the cockpit to a minimum; making it that much more difficult for the operating crew to remain alert. Even when using the aircraft intercom system; the resting pilot can hear everything the operating crew is saying; despite using earplugs or even noise-canceling headsets. The critical factor is that we're not separated from the crew in any way. No matter what methods are used; someone pays the price - either the dark cockpit makes it more challenging for the operating crew to remain alert; or having the lights up makes it more difficult for the resting pilot to sleep. Either the resting crew blocks access to the lavatory for hours at a time or the operating crew disturbs his rest to use the bathroom. Either the operating crew refrains from using the galley for hours at a time or they wake up the resting pilot as they transit back and forth. Not having a suitable crew rest area is a threat to flight safety; and we have done absolutely nothing on this airplane to improve crew rest in any way since we took delivery.
A B767-300 First Officer makes a cogent and convincing argument for the inadequacy of the crew rest facility provided by his company to allow for meaningful rest; let alone actual sleep. The facility; three seats across the back of the cockpit which must be creatively modified with meal trays and spare blankets to provide a flat surface on which to lie; results in an intrusive domain for both the crew member at rest and the operating crew inasmuch as they are not separated and some compromise must be reached for adequate lighting and activity for the flying pilots to remain alert but dark enough and quiet enough for the resting pilot to...well...rest.