What is Circadian Rhythm and how does it impact pilots?

Getting started

A Circadian Rhythm is any biological phenomenon that involves self-sustained oscillation during 24 hours, caused by the earth's rotation. Everyone in the world has an inbuilt "body clock" and it works much, in the same way, a finely tuned watch-making sure every system of the body works in unison to keep the body in homeostasis ( maintenance of the internal processes within tolerable limits).

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There are clearly recognizable patterns of brain-wave activity, hormone production, cell regeneration, and other biological activities linked to each individual's daily cycle.

How does it work and what makes it relevant?

The "suprachiasmatic nuclei" located within our brain, sort of act like a pacemaker and regulate the firing of nerve cells that seemingly control our circadian rhythm. Although it can't be precisely said how exactly this part of the brain "keeps time", it is scientifically established that it does rely on "outside" influences to keep the rhythm running.

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Circadian rhythm is impacted by lightness and darkness received throughout the day. Most people’s clocks are naturally set to be the most alert in the mornings and late afternoon. For those who work long hours or graveyard shifts, there can be long term repercussions from ignoring the body’s natural cycle.

Circadian Rhythm Disruption (CRD)

Every time our normal 24-hour period Circadian Rhythm is altered or interrupted, it is bound to have physiological and behavioural impacts- resulting in what is known as "Circadian Rhythm Disruption".

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CRD is more apparent in shift work as now the shift timings are often at loggerheads with our internal body clock. This can result in a wide range of highly documented issues ranging from performance issues to accident and health problems.

Disruption of the biological clock and its impact on pilots

Flight and cabin crews operating on long-haul routes often have to cross multiple time zones, sometimes within the same day. The rapid changes in time zones often disrupt the natural biological cycle and result in what is called a "Jet Lag". Yes, jet lag is also a Circadian Rhythm Disruption. Of all the stressors in aviation, Jet Lag is what seems to hit the hardest.

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The effects of jet lag include health problems such as fatigue, irritability, reduced mental acuity, slow reaction time, mood swings and digestive issue. The decreased cognitive abilities can affect the performance of a pilot flying, on whose hands the entire safety of the flight operation rests.

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Scientifically, the effects of jet lag seem to be more prominent when flying from west to east as it becomes difficult for the body to adjust to "losing time" when we journey east as opposed to flying west from the east where we "gain time".

CRD as affecting pilot skills:

Increased reaction time to sequential tasks that require time synchronizationImpaired memoryEmotional irritability, amongst many others

How can the pilots counter these inevitable effects?

It is a given that reduced sleep impairs cognitive performance, thereby making red-eye pilots more susceptible to human error incidents. Fortunately, there are prediction models in place that dictate the pilots when to eat, exercise and sleep based on their working schedule so they can be as alert as possible and get everyone to their destination safely.

Red-Eye flights | Representative | Conde Nast Traveler

Additionally. airliners are now employing new sleep monitoring devices that will help accurately gauge when a pilot may be getting overworked and too fatigued to fly safely.

How do you restore your bio clock and recover?

Catch the sun: Exposing yourselves to sunlight has been scientifically proven to be beneficial in helping reset circadian rhythms. Additionally, this light therapy has a direct and positive effect by increasing brain serotonin levels.

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Be active: Taking a nap on arrival is the worst you can do as it sets the bio clock back to your home time. It is equally important to blend in with the local time(s) for all activities of the day.

Countering CRD while on duty

Avoid pilot adaptation to a local circadian rhythm following trans-meridian flights with short layoversAlternate trans-meridian flights with intra-meridian flights which will enable a smooth transition to normal circadian rhythmsAvoid night flights following a trans-meridian flightUse caffeine strategically to counter circadian rhythm sleepinessAvoid naps longer than 30 minutes as they involve "deep" sleep

Circadian Rhythm Disruption is also touted to lead to extreme chronic fatigue in the cockpit, the effects of which could just as debilitating as drugs and alcohol.

Nevertheless, pilots are trained extensively well and are very tuned in to their personal needs during a flight and hence you’re in highly qualified hands.

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American aviation giant Boeing on Tuesday, March 1 announced it was suspending its support for Russian airlines and its operations in Moscow amid a growing backlash to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"We have suspended major operations in Moscow and temporarily closed our office in Kyiv," the Ukrainian capital.We are also suspending parts, maintenance and technical support services for Russian airlines. As the conflict continues, our teams are focused on ensuring the safety of our teammates in the region."Spokesperson, Boeing

The announcement came a day after Boeing said it had paused operations at its Moscow Training Campus and temporarily closed its office in Kyiv.

The flag carrier of Russia Aeroflot, which flies the Boeing 737 and 777, last week announced it was suspending flights to Europe in response to the flight ban.

U.S. bans Russian flights from American airspace

The United States will follow the European Union and Canada in banning Russian flights from its airspace, President Joe Biden said on Tuesday, March 1 in a move likely to trigger Russian retaliation.

The U.S. bans Russian flights from American airspace

The sweeping orders will mean any plane owned, certified, operated, registered, chartered, leased, or controlled by, for, or for the benefit of a person who is a citizen of Russia will be prohibited from flying over the U.S., the agencies said. The prohibition applies to scheduled and charter passenger and cargo flights. 

United Airlines and United Parcel Service (UPS) have also suspended flying over Russian airspace, joining other major U.S. carriers Delta Air Lines and American Airlines.

"I am announcing that we will join our allies in closing off American airspace to all Russian flights, further isolating Russia and adding squeeze on their economy," Biden said in his State of the Union address.

The White House had held extensive talks with U.S. airlines about the issue in recent days. The ban will take effect by the end of March 2. Russian flights were already effectively barred from U.S. destinations for the most part in recent days because of bans on the use of Canadian and European airspace.

The hardest hit is likely to be Russian carriers, which make up approximately 70% of the flights between Russia and the EU

Some foreign governments had privately questioned why the United States did not move faster to ban Russian planes, as had some U.S. lawmakers.

The European Union had said on Tuesday that it was speaking to U.S. counterparts about extending the ban as it gave more details of the EU's closure of airspace to Russian aircraft imposed after Moscow invaded Ukraine.

Airlines already face potentially lengthy blockages of key east-west flight corridors after the EU and Moscow issued tit-for-tat airspace bans. 

The United States will follow the European Union in banning Russian flights from its airspace

Global supply chains, already hit hard by the pandemic, will face increasing disruption and cost pressure from the closure of the skies which will affect over a fifth of air freight. The hardest hit is likely to be Russian carriers, which make up approximately 70% of the flights between Russia and the EU.

Transport between Europe and North Asian destinations like Japan, South Korea and China is in the front line of disruption after reciprocal bans barred European carriers from flying over Siberia and prevented Russian airlines from flying to Europe.

Airlines responsible for moving around 20% of the world's air cargo are affected by those bans, Frederic Horst, managing director of Cargo Facts Consulting, told Reuters on Tuesday, March 1.

Indian carriers have joined hands to evacuate Indian nationals from Ukraine

Major Asian carriers like Korean Air Lines and Japan's ANA Holdings are still using Russian airspace, however, as are Middle Eastern airlines and Indian carriers.

Russian airlines are also feeling the pinch with airline Pobeda, state airline Aeroflot's low-cost carrier, facing requests from several leasing companies to return their planes, the Interfax news agency reported. 

Pure cargo carriers like Russia's AirBridgeCargo Airlines and Luxembourg's Cargolux are subject to the bans in a move that could send air freight rates - already elevated due to a lack of passenger capacity during the pandemic - soaring further.

Shipping container shortages and port bottlenecks mean more products are being flown by air.

In December, air cargo rates were 150% above 2019 levels, according to the International Air Transport Association. Sanctions imposed on Russia in the wake of its Ukraine invasion are expected to further disrupt global supply chains.

Russia's AirBridgeCargo alone moves just under 4% of global international air cargo, with most of that between Europe and Asia, Horst said.

Shipping container shortages and port bottlenecks mean more products are being flown by air. Demand for air cargo last year was 6.9% above 2019 levels, according to IATA.

Airports Authority of India (AAI), the national airport's operator, will provide air traffic services at the upcoming Noida International Airport at Jewar in Greater Noida. As per sources, the first phase is expected to be commissioned by 2024. 

An agreement to this effect was signed between the AAI and Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (YIAPL) on February 28, AAI said. YIAPL is a special purpose vehicle set up for the development of the greenfield Noida International Airport at Jewar. As an Air Navigation Services Provider, AAI is the only entity statutorily empowered to provide air traffic services in the country.

https://twitter.com/NIAirport/status/1498257230029721601

"AAI is pleased to partner with Noida International Airport and is upbeat about these kinds of challenging projects, which will open new gateways of operating multiple major airports in the vicinity of each other catering to the Metros," said A K Pathak, Member (Planning) at AAI.

Mumbai and Navi Mumbai are lined up for a similar approach, he said, adding AAI has already signed a pact for CNS-ATM services with Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIAL) in 2018. Under the pact with the Noida International Airport, AAI will plan, procure, install and commission the CNS/ATM equipment and facilities and provide air traffic services at the upcoming airport, AAI said.

AAI signs air traffic services agreement with Noida International Airport

Besides, the facility will also be equipped with Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control Systems and ATS Automation Systems which will enable situational awareness and provide decision support to Air Traffic Controllers for all-weather operations, it stated.

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The Noida International Airport (Jewar) is expected to be commissioned by the year 2025 and AAI will be associated with the airport operator in all three phases covered under the CNS-ATM agreement such as the pre-commissioning, commissioning, and the operational phase, as per the statement.

The Noida International Airport (Jewar) is expected to be commissioned by the year 2025

The airspace design and flight procedure design will be undertaken collaboratively under the Air Space Management (ASM) Directorate of AAI with the participation of the New Delhi Air Traffic Control Centre and the airport operator, it added. AAI said it is also expected to deploy its ATC and ATSEP (Air Traffic Services Engineering Professionals) workforce to meet service standards. 

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The airport will plan and build all relevant aeronautical facilities according to national and international norms prescribed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). A joint coordination committee of NIA and AAI will monitor the implementation of the agreement.

"CNS/ATM agreement with the AAI is yet another milestone in ensuring cost-efficient aeronautical processes and the development of Noida International Airport. We are looking to partner with AAI to ensure safe, efficient and cost-effective ATM services for the airlines operating at the upcoming airport and provide customer-focussed airport operations in a collaborative environment.”Christoph Schnellmann, CEO, Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (YIAPL)

YIAPL - a 100% subsidiary of Zurich Airport International - has been incorporated as a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to develop the airport at Jewar. The company is responsible for implementing the public-private partnership (PPP) project together with the Government of Uttar Pradesh, New Delhi Okhla Industrial Development Authority and Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority.

The airport will start with two runways by 2024 under phase I and it will have five runways on completion to full capacity.

Zurich Airport International AG, the concessionaire of the Jewar airport project, will invest about INR 30,000 crore and has got 40 years to fully develop the project.

Under the public-private partnership model, the concessionaire will design, build, finance, operate and transfer the project to the government after 40 years. The airport will start with two runways by 2024 under phase I and it will have five runways on completion to full capacity.

Construction of Noida International Airport began in November 2021. Expected to be completed by 2024, it will be India's largest airport, with a capacity to handle 5 million passengers yearly.

U.S. aviation regulators are formalizing tighter oversight of new aircraft designs that were used after the Boeing 737 Max was grounded. 

The Federal Aviation Administration on Monday, February 28 announced in a press release that independent so-called Technical Advisory Boards would be established during the certification process for commercial aircraft, smaller planes, helicopters and drones.

FAA to formalize tighter oversight of new aircraft designs following deadly Boeing 737 MAX crashes

The panels are designed to bring a fresh set of eyes to complex aircraft design approvals to ensure that no potential safety issues are overlooked. One of the findings from numerous investigations into the two 737 Max crashes, which killed 346 people, is that the agency needed to beef up its oversight.

The action is part of a broader effort to enact reforms passed into law by Congress late in 2020 and to implement changes that the agency has promised in the wake of the crashes.

In recent weeks, it has proposed adding protections for aircraft manufacturers’ employees who are deputized to review designs by the FAA and revising pilot training.

One of the findings from numerous investigations into the two 737 Max crashes, which killed 346 people, is that the agency needed to beef up its oversight.

The 737 Max crashes off the coast of Indonesia and in Ethiopia were caused in part by a design flaw that prompted the planes to dive repeatedly during a malfunction.

The FAA created a review panel for the extensive revisions of the plane after the crashes and also has one for the ongoing work on Boeing’s work to create new versions of the 777.

(With Inputs from Bloomberg)

DGCA has extended the ban on regular international flights, until further orders. However, flights that are operational under air bubble arrangements, as well as international cargo flights, will continue to operate as scheduled.

While officials from the DGCA and the civil aviation ministry had proposed to lift the ban, a nod from the ministry of health and family welfare was crucial, which has been closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation.

https://twitter.com/DGCAIndia/status/1498165501885050880

The ban on scheduled international passenger flights has been in place in India since March 23, 2020. However, special passenger flights have been operating between India and approximately 40 countries since July 2020 under air-bubble arrangements.

India currently has air transport bubbles with 40 countries, including Canada, France, Germany, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the US. The DGCA, in January, had extended the suspension on international flights from and to India, because of the rising Coronavirus cases across the world.

It has been a belief that the Centre could resume international flights from the end of March, or at the beginning of the summer schedule for airlines.

India currently has air transport bubbles with 40 countries

Indian carriers at one point in time used to operate close to 3,000 flights, during the pre-COVID-19 period. The aviation sector has been seeking a reduction in excise duty on aviation turbine fuel (ATF), even as it battles the impact of COVID-19 on the business.

The DGCA had announced on November 26 last year that India will resume scheduled international passenger flights from December 15, 2021. Just a day later, PM Narendra Modi had asked the Civil Aviation Ministry and the DGCA to review its decision due to Omicron concerns.  

Following this, the DGCA revoked its November 26 decision but it did not state categorically how long the suspension of scheduled international flights will last.

China has been making rapid advancements in hypersonic technology and although some of them might be a cause of worry with regards to military and security, there are others, though ridiculed by the west, that does make for an interesting read.

If reports are anything to go by, China, which is already on a spree-rapidly ramping up its hypersonic weapons game, aims to develop an "air-breathing, magnetic fluid" engine, which would commercially make it viable to travel anywhere on earth in just under an hour.

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The country aims of rolling out a hypersonic passenger aircraft that will use near-Earth orbit to travel to any destination in the world in less than sixty minutes.

According to a lead scientist attached with the program, the launch vehicle which is currently in development would be powered by a super-quiet engine with zero moving parts.

The engine - magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) drive and what makes it tick

A magnetohydrodynamic drive or MHD accelerator works by generating thrust from an electrically charged fluid which in turn, is propelled by an electromagnetic force-all of which would work in tandem with a scramjet- another air-breathing engine.

Yamato 1 - The first working, full-scale MHD ship | Representative | Wikipedia

Historically, they were intended for propelling nuclear submarines although they remained impractical due to low efficiency limited by the low electrical conductivity of seawater.

The air molecules around the aircraft travelling at five times the speed of sound, are ionized, or electrically charged, and this provides an ambient environment for the futuristic engine to operate in.

China's experimental super engine | Representative | South China Morning Post

A reverse-engineered MHD engine could absorb energy from the surrounding highly ionized air molecules, thereby shielding the aircraft structure from eventual disintegration. Furthermore, a part of the captured energy could be used to run the powerful plasma jets while the rest could be routed through an afterburner to produce additional thrust.

This technological revolution is a historic opportunity that China cannot afford to miss. With an advantage in technology, a solid industrial base and continuous innovation, China could take a unique path to develop new powering systems for aerospace activities.Wei-deputy director of mixed cycle engine development at the Beijing Power Machinery Research Institute

Hypersonics and associated drawbacks

Technically, the thrust produced is inversely proportional to the Mach number which means, the higher the Mach-lower is the thrust generated. Furthermore, the extremely high temperatures produced at higher Mach also is detrimental to the structural integrity of an aircraft.

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Another key factor that needs to be considered is the possibility of unpredictable turbulence which, hence, would require the use of advanced and sophisticated flight control systems. It is also to be noted that the success of any space-launch(s) also depend a lot on "reusable" components used in the manufacture of such spacecraft(s).

Reusable Rockets | Representative | DNV

Wei further mentions that to extract maximum performance from the engine, coming-of-age technologies like rapid cooling systems and detonation engines will have to be integrated. Apparently, test flights have been conducted and the results have been promising- he further iterates.

China's goal is to make space travel as easy as taking an airline. The technology would not be sustainable in the long term if only rich people can afford a ride to space.A Beijing scientist said

Reportedly, China has plans of launching the hypersonic passenger fleet by 2035.

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