ICAO on Fatigue Risk Management Systems

Following a meeting held yesterday, The Council of ICAO has adopted new standards for Fatigue Risk Management Systems (FRMS) as an alternative to prescriptive flight and duty limitations. These standards, which will come into force in December, are designed to combat crew fatigue, often cited as a factor in aircraft accidents.

Commenting on the announcement, Nancy Graham, Director of the Air Navigation Bureau of ICAO said “Current flight and duty time regulations are a ‘one size fits all’ solution. FRMS recognises the growing complexity of crew fatigue and offer multi-layered, comprehensive approaches to various types of fatigue-related hazards, according to different operational contexts. Operators using FRMS have reported greater operational flexibility than current flight and duty time regulations, while maintaining, and even improving on, current safety levels”.

The FRMS standards are supported by extensive guidance material based on the input of an FRMS Task Force, composed of State regulators, operators, scientists and industry representatives. Included is an FRMS implementation guide for operators that was jointly produced by IFALPA, ICAO and the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

“The fact that regulators, airlines and pilots all contributed to the effort ensures that all of the technical, operational and economic issues were covered” Graham emphasised, adding “The input of world-recognized scientists ensures that the FRMS approach has solid scientific grounding. We can look forward to widespread acceptance of the concept and its systematic application around the world”.

The new standards and related guidance material will be the focus of a symposium, followed by a meeting of the International FRMS Forum, due to take place from 30 August to 2 September 2011 at ICAO Headquarters in Montréal.

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