The Reading / Listening - Pilot Fatigue - Level 6

A new report has raised serious concerns about pilot fatigue. The European Cockpit Association (ECA) conducted a survey of nearly 7,200 pilots across 32 countries. It discovered that exhaustion in the cockpit is a widespread and underreported problem. More than three-quarters of respondents said they had briefly dozed off while operating an aircraft in the month before the survey. Almost a quarter of them admitted they continued flying even when they were too tired. Furthermore, half said they had operated a flight when they should have declared themselves unfit for duty. Tiredness can result from long working hours, insufficient rest, and unpredictable schedules.

The pilots were very frank in their answers to the survey questions. Many said they were reluctant to report fatigue because they feared punishment or other negative reactions from their bosses. Captain Coen George, a director of the ECA, warned: "When pilots fear career consequences, fatigue goes unreported and the risk returns to the cockpit." Aviation safety experts say exhaustion can impair judgement, slow reaction times and prevent pilots from responding effectively to unexpected in-flight situations. The experts urged airlines to foster a culture in which pilots can report tiredness without fear of repercussions. Carriers should ensure that passenger safety is their top priority.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Pilot Fatigue - Level 4  or  Pilot Fatigue - Level 5

Sources
  • https://www.fodors.com/world/europe/experiences/news/european-pilots-are-accidentally-falling-asleep-in-the-cockpit
  • https://www.euronews.com/2026/10/28/more-than-half-of-pilots-say-they-flew-while-tired-as-trust-in-reporting-systems-remains-l
  • https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/oct/26/quarter-europe-airline-pilots-fly-too-fatigued-to-work-survey


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. FATIGUE: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about fatigue. Change partners often and share your findings.
2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?
       serious concerns / pilots / fatigue / cockpit / doze off / aircraft / flight / duty / rest /
       frankness / reluctance / punishment / negative reactions / bosses / judgement
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. AI: Students A strongly believe airplanes should be flown by AI; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. AIR SAFETY: What are the risks associated with these things? How can we make them safer? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Risks

Making Them Safer

Pilots

 

 

Weather

 

 

Other passengers

 

 

Airplane engines

 

 

Hijacking

 

 

Air traffic control

 

 
MY e-BOOK
ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

5. PILOT: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "pilot". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. EXHAUSTING THINGS: Rank these with your partner. Put the most exhausting things at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Jet lag
  • Commuting
  • Shopping
  • Overthinking
  • Studying English
  • Small talk
  • Parenting
  • Housework

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. concerns a. The place in a plane where the pilots sit and control the plane.
      2. fatigue b. Not easy to know or guess what will happen.
      3. conducted c. Worries about something bad that may happen.
      4. cockpit d. Organised and carried out an activity.
      5. respondents e. The feeling of being very, very tired.
      6. dozed off f. People who answer questions in a survey.
      7. unpredictable g. Fell asleep for a short time without planning to.

    Paragraph 2

      8. frank h. Not wanting to do something.
      9. reluctant i. Things that happen because of an action or situation.
      10. consequences j. Help something to grow or develop.
      11. aviation k. Open and honest when saying what you think.
      12. reaction l. The most important thing to do or think about.
      13. foster m. The speed at which someone responds to something.
      14. priority n. The activity of flying planes and other aircraft.

 

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. The World Cockpit Association carried out a study on pilot fatigue.     T / F
  2. A study into pilot fatigue looked at 32,000 pilots in 72 countries.     T / F
  3. Three-quarters of pilots said they had never dozed off while flying.     T / F
  4. Half of the pilots said they flew even though they were too tired to.     T / F
  5. Many pilots are worried about reporting fatigue to their bosses.     T / F
  6. Aviation experts said fatigue leads to poor judgement.     T / F
  7. The experts urged airlines to make it easier for pilots to report fatigue.    T / F
  8. The article said pilot safety should be an airline's top priority.     T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

  1. raised
  2. conducted
  3. briefly
  4. admitted
  5. duty
  6. frank
  7. reluctant
  8. impair
  9. urged
  10. priority
  1. work
  2. harm
  3. unwilling
  4. carried out
  5. confessed
  6. encouraged
  7. brought up
  8. prime concern
  9. candid
  10. momentarily

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

  1. A new report has raised serious
  2. a widespread and
  3. they had briefly
  4. they should have declared themselves
  5. insufficient
  6. The pilots were very frank
  7. Many said they were reluctant
  8. exhaustion can
  9. responding effectively to unexpected
  10. passenger safety is their
  1. in their answers
  2. dozed off
  3. in-flight situations
  4. rest
  5. concerns about pilot fatigue
  6. top priority
  7. impair judgement
  8. underreported problem
  9. to report fatigue
  10. unfit for duty

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
dozed
conducted
flight
insufficient
cockpit
admitted
raised
duty

A new report has (1) _________________________________ serious concerns about pilot fatigue. The European Cockpit Association (ECA) (2) _________________________________ a survey of nearly 7,200 pilots across 32 countries. It discovered that exhaustion in the (3) _________________________________ is a widespread and underreported problem. More than three-quarters of respondents said they had briefly (4) _________________________________ off while operating an aircraft in the month before the survey. Almost a quarter of them (5) _________________________________ they continued flying even when they were too tired. Furthermore, half said they had operated a (6) _________________________________ when they should have declared themselves unfit for (7) _________________________________. Tiredness can result from long working hours, (8) _________________________________ rest, and unpredictable schedules.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
bosses
impair
fear
frank
priority
reluctant
goes
unexpected

The pilots were very (9) _________________________________ in their answers to the survey questions. Many said they were (10) _________________________________ to report fatigue because they feared punishment or other negative reactions from their (11) _________________________________. Captain Coen George, a director of the ECA, warned: "When pilots fear career consequences, fatigue (12) _________________________________ unreported and the risk returns to the cockpit." Aviation safety experts say exhaustion can (13) _________________________________ judgement, slow reaction times and prevent pilots from responding effectively to (14) _________________________________ in-flight situations. The experts urged airlines to foster a culture in which pilots can report tiredness without (15) _________________________________ of repercussions. Carriers should ensure that passenger safety is their top (16) _________________________________.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  exhaustion in the cockpit is a widespread ______
     a.  end underreported problem
     b.  and underreport it problem
     c.  and underreported problem
     d.  and underreported problems
2)  More than three-quarters of respondents said they had ______
     a.  briefly dazed off
     b.  briefly dozed off
     c.  briefly dazzled off
     d.  briefly dizzied off
3)  Almost a quarter of them admitted they continued flying even when they ______
     a.  were two tired
     b.  were too tide
     c.  were too tried
     d.  were too tired
4)  they had operated a flight when they should have declared themselves ______
     a.  unfit for duly
     b.  unfit for duty
     c.  unfit from duty
     d.  unfit form duty
5)  result from long working hours, insufficient rest, ______
     a.  and unpredictable schedules
     b.  and unpredictable schedule
     c.  end unpredictable schedules
     d.  and unpredicted schedules

6)  reluctant to report fatigue because they feared punishment or ______
     a.  other negative reaction
     b.  other negatively reactions
     c.  another negative reactions
     d.  other negative reactions
7)  When pilots fear career consequences, ______
     a.  fatigues go unreported
     b.  fatigue go unreported
     c.  fatigues goes unreported
     d.  fatigue goes unreported
8)  prevent pilots from responding effectively to unexpected ______
     a.  end-flight situations
     b.  non-flight situations
     c.  on-flight situations
     d.  in-flight situations
9)  foster a culture in which pilots can report tiredness without ______
     a.  feared of repercussions
     b.  fear of repercussions
     c.  afear of repercussions
     d.  afraid of repercussions
10)  Carriers should ensure that passenger safety is ______
     a.  their tops priority
     b.  there top priority
     c.  their top priority
     d.  their atop priority

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

A new report has (1) _______________________________________________ about pilot fatigue. The European Cockpit Association (ECA) (2) _______________________________________________ of nearly 7,200 pilots across 32 countries. It discovered that exhaustion in the cockpit is a widespread and underreported problem. More than three-(3)_______________________________________________ said they had (4) _______________________________________________ while operating an aircraft in the month before the survey. Almost a quarter of (5) _______________________________________________ continued flying even when they were too tired. Furthermore, half said they had operated a flight when they should have declared themselves (6) _______________________________________________. Tiredness can result from long working hours, insufficient rest, and unpredictable schedules.

The pilots were (7) _______________________________________________ their answers to the survey questions. Many said they were (8) _______________________________________________ fatigue because they feared punishment or other (9) _______________________________________________ their bosses. Captain Coen George, a director of the ECA, warned: "When pilots fear career consequences, fatigue goes unreported and the risk returns to the cockpit." (10) _______________________________________________ say exhaustion can impair judgement, slow reaction times and prevent pilots from responding effectively to unexpected in-flight situations. The experts urged airlines (11) _______________________________________________ culture in which pilots can report tiredness without fear of repercussions. Carriers should ensure that passenger safety is (12) _______________________________________________.

Comprehension questions

  1. What is the name of the organization that conducted a survey?
  2. How many pilots took part in a study?
  3. How many of the pilots admitted to dozing off at the controls?
  4. How many pilots said they flew despite being too tired?
  5. What can cause fatigue besides long working hours and insufficient rest?
  6. What were many pilots hesitant to report?
  7. What did many pilots fear?
  8. What did safety experts say exhaustion impairs?
  9. What can fatigue prevent pilots from responding to?
  10. What does the article say should be the top priority of airlines?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What is the name of the organization that conducted a survey?
a) European Pilot Association
b) World Pilot Association
c) European Cockpit Association
d) World Cockpit Association
2) How many pilots took part in a study?
a) nearly 7,200
b) exactly 7,200
c) just over 7,200
d) a little fewer than 7,200
3) How many of the pilots admitted to dozing off at the controls?
a) around two thirds
b) more than three quarters
c) four fifths
d) seven eighths
4) How many pilots said they flew despite being too tired?
a) a fifth
b) a third
c) a quarter
d) half
5) What can cause fatigue besides long working hours and insufficient rest?
a) too much exercise
b) bad weather
c) unpredictable situations
d) east-west flights

6) What were many pilots hesitant to report?
a) alcohol consumption
b) fatigue
c) aches and pains
d) poor eyesight
7) What did many pilots fear?
a) hijackings
b) turbulence
c) losing their licence
d) punishment
8) What did safety experts say exhaustion impairs?
a) eyesight
b) judgement
c) landing skills
d) hand-eye coordination
9) What can fatigue prevent pilots from responding to?
a) terror threats
b) unexpected in-flight situations
c) mayday calls
d) medical emergencies
10) What does the article say should be the top priority of airlines?
a) passenger safety
b) pilot safety
c) profit
d) image

Role play

Role  A – Jet Lag
You think jet lag is the most exhausting thing. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as exhausting. Also, tell the others which is the least exhausting of these (and why): shopping, overthinking or parenting.

Role  B – Shopping
You think shopping is the most exhausting thing. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as exhausting. Also, tell the others which is the least exhausting of these (and why): jet lag, overthinking or parenting.

Role  C – Overthinking
You think overthinking is the most exhausting thing. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as exhausting. Also, tell the others which is the least exhausting of these (and why): shopping, jet lag or parenting.

Role  D – Parenting
You think parenting is the most exhausting thing. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as exhausting. Also, tell the others which is the least exhausting of these (and why): shopping, overthinking or jet lag.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words...

'pilot'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and 'fatique'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • Share your findings with your partners.

    • Make questions using the words you found.

    • Ask your partner / group your questions.

    2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

    •Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

    3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

    4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

    5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

    • raised
    • discovered
    • briefly
    • admitted
    • operated
    • result
    • frank
    • feared
    • warned
    • impair
    • foster
    • top

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - Pilot Fatigue

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'pilot'?
    3. Would you like to be a pilot?
    4. What are the good and bad things about being a pilot?
    5. What do you think when you see a pilot?
    6. How much responsibility does a pilot have?
    7. How often are you fatigued?
    8. What can airlines do about pilot fatigue?
    9. How often do you doze off?
    10. What advice do you have for airline companies?

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'fatigue'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What can pilots do to stay alert?
    5. What do you do when you are fatigued?
    6. What punishment might pilots get for flying while exhausted?
    7. Has your judgement ever been impaired by exhaustion?
    8. Do you worry about flying?
    9. Should airplanes be piloted by AI?
    10. What questions would you like to ask a pilot?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    A new report has raised (1) ____ concerns about pilot fatigue. The European Cockpit Association (ECA) conducted a survey of nearly 7,200 pilots across 32 countries. It discovered (2) ____ exhaustion in the cockpit is a widespread and underreported problem. More than three-quarters of respondents said they had briefly (3) ____ off while operating an aircraft in the month before the survey. Almost a quarter of them (4) ____ they continued flying even when they were too tired. Furthermore, half said they had operated a flight when they should have declared themselves unfit (5) ____ duty. Tiredness can result from long working hours, insufficient (6) ____, and unpredictable schedules.

    The pilots were very (7) ____ in their answers to the survey questions. Many said they were reluctant to report fatigue because they (8) ____ punishment or other negative reactions from their bosses. Captain Coen George, a director of the ECA, warned: "When pilots fear career consequences, fatigue (9) ____ unreported and the risk returns to the cockpit." Aviation safety experts say exhaustion can (10) ____ judgement, slow reaction times and prevent pilots from responding effectively to unexpected (11) ____-flight situations. The experts urged airlines to foster a culture in which pilots can report tiredness without fear (12) ____ repercussions. Carriers should ensure that passenger safety is their top priority.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     seriously     (b)     serial     (c)     series     (d)     serious    
    2. (a)     so     (b)     for     (c)     what     (d)     that    
    3. (a)     dizzied     (b)     dozed     (c)     dazed     (d)     dazzled    
    4. (a)     admit     (b)     admission     (c)     admitted     (d)     admissions    
    5. (a)     to     (b)     at     (c)     for     (d)     by    
    6. (a)     rest     (b)     remainder     (c)     surplus     (d)     stand    
    7. (a)     black     (b)     frank     (c)     frack     (d)     blank    
    8. (a)     feared     (b)     scared     (c)     frightened     (d)     afraid    
    9. (a)     comes     (b)     goes     (c)     flies     (d)     takes    
    10. (a)     repair     (b)     despair     (c)     impair     (d)     prepare    
    11. (a)     by     (b)     up     (c)     in     (d)     at    
    12. (a)     by     (b)     in     (c)     at     (d)     of

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. in the ccpkito
    2. three-quarters of sednrntpeos
    3. they had readoetp a flight
    4. cadldere themselves unfit for duty
    5. nuceitsiffni rest
    6. lbectuienpdra schedules

    Paragraph 2

    1. they were eltrucatn to
    2. pilots fear career ocnsseueeqnc
    3. iaivtaon safety experts
    4. exsntoiahu can impair judgement
    5. without fear of srrpeineussco
    6. passenger safety is their top ytiorpri

    Put the text back together

    (  1  )   A new report has raised serious concerns about pilot fatigue. The European Cockpit Association (ECA) conducted a
    (    )   and underreported problem. More than three-quarters of respondents said they had briefly dozed
    (    )   bosses. Captain Coen George, a director of the ECA, warned: "When pilots fear career
    (    )   consequences, fatigue goes unreported and the risk returns to the cockpit." Aviation safety
    (    )   effectively to unexpected in-flight situations. The experts urged airlines to foster a culture in which pilots can
    (    )   experts say exhaustion can impair judgement, slow reaction times and prevent pilots from responding
    (    )   of them admitted they continued flying even when they were too tired. Furthermore, half said they had
    (    )   off while operating an aircraft in the month before the survey. Almost a quarter
    (    )   operated a flight when they should have declared themselves unfit for duty. Tiredness can result from long
    (    )   reluctant to report fatigue because they feared punishment or other negative reactions from their
    (    )   report tiredness without fear of repercussions. Carriers should ensure that passenger safety is their top priority.
    (    )   survey of nearly 7,200 pilots across 32 countries. It discovered that exhaustion in the cockpit is a widespread
    (    )   The pilots were very frank in their answers to the survey questions. Many said they were
    (    )   working hours, insufficient rest, and unpredictable schedules.

    Put the words in the right order

    1. a   cockpit   Exhaustion   in   is   problem   widespread   the   .
    2. aircraft   an   briefly   dozed   off   operating   They   while   .
    3. continued   even   fatigued   flying   they   They   were   when   .
    4. a   flight   had   Half   operated   said   they   .
    5. can   from   hours   long   result   Tiredness   working   .
    6. answers   frank   in   pilots   The   their   very   were   .
    7. fatigue   Many   reluctant   report   said   they   to   were   .
    8. Aviation  can   experts   exhaustion   impair   judgement   safety   say  .
    9. A   can   culture   in   pilots   report   tiredness   which   .
    10. Ensure   is   passenger   priority   safety   that   their   top   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    A new report has arisen / raised serious concerns about pilot fatigue. The European Cockpit Association (ECA) conducted a survey / scurvy of nearly 7,200 pilots across 32 countries. It discovered what / that exhaustion in the cockpit is a widespread / widescreen and underreported problem. More than three-quarters of respondents said they had briefly dazed / dozed off while operating an aircraft on / in the month before the survey. Almost a quarter of them admitted they continued flying eventually / even when they were too tired. Furthermore, half / halve said they had operated a flight when they should have declared themselves unfit for duty / duly. Tiredness can result from long working hours, insufficient rest, and predictable / unpredictable schedules.

    The pilots were very blank / frank in their answers to the survey questions. Many said they were reluctant / reluctance to report fatigue because they feared punishment or other negative / negatively reactions from their bosses. Captain Coen George, a director of the ECA, warned: "When pilots fear / fearing career consequences, fatigue goes unreported and the risky / risk returns to the cockpit." Aviation safety / safe experts say exhaustion can impair judgement, slow reaction times and prevent pilots from / for responding effectively to unexpected in-flight situation / situations. The experts urged airlines to foster a culture in / to which pilots can report tiredness without fear of repercussions. Carriers should ensure that passenger safety is their atop / top priority.

    Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct. Look up the definition of new words.

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

    _  n_w  r_p_rt  h_s  r__s_d  s_r___s  c_nc_rns  _b__t  p_l_t  f_t_g__.  Th_  __r_p__n  C_ckp_t  _ss_c__t__n  (_C_)  c_nd_ct_d  _  s_rv_y  _f  n__rly  7,200  p_l_ts  _cr_ss  32  c__ntr__s.  _t  d_sc_v_r_d  th_t  _xh__st__n  _n  th_  c_ckp_t  _s  _  w_d_spr__d  _nd  _nd_rr_p_rt_d  pr_bl_m.  M_r_  th_n  thr__-q__rt_rs  _f  r_sp_nd_nts  s__d  th_y  h_d  br__fly  d_z_d  _ff  wh_l_  _p_r_t_ng  _n  __rcr_ft  _n  th_  m_nth  b_f_r_  th_  s_rv_y.  _lm_st  _  q__rt_r  _f  th_m  _dm_tt_d  th_y  c_nt_n__d  fly_ng  _v_n  wh_n  th_y  w_r_  t__  t_r_d.  F_rth_rm_r_,  h_lf  s__d  th_y  h_d  _p_r_t_d  _  fl_ght  wh_n  th_y  sh__ld  h_v_  d_cl_r_d  th_ms_lv_s  _nf_t  f_r  d_ty.  T_r_dn_ss  c_n  r_s_lt  fr_m  l_ng  w_rk_ng  h__rs,  _ns_ff_c__nt  r_st,  _nd  _npr_d_ct_bl_  sch_d_l_s.

    Th_  p_l_ts  w_r_  v_ry  fr_nk  _n  th__r  _nsw_rs  t_  th_  s_rv_y  q__st__ns.  M_ny  s__d  th_y  w_r_  r_l_ct_nt  t_  r_p_rt  f_t_g__  b_c__s_  th_y  f__r_d  p_n_shm_nt  _r  _th_r  n_g_t_v_  r__ct__ns  fr_m  th__r  b_ss_s.  C_pt__n  C__n  G__rg_,  _  d_r_ct_r  _f  th_  _C_,  w_rn_d:  "Wh_n  p_l_ts  f__r  c_r__r  c_ns_q__nc_s,  f_t_g__  g__s  _nr_p_rt_d  _nd  th_  r_sk  r_t_rns  t_  th_  c_ckp_t."  _v__t__n  s_f_ty  _xp_rts  s_y  _xh__st__n  c_n  _mp__r  j_dg_m_nt,  sl_w  r__ct__n  t_m_s  _nd  pr_v_nt  p_l_ts  fr_m  r_sp_nd_ng  _ff_ct_v_ly  t_  _n_xp_ct_d  _n-fl_ght  s_t__t__ns.  Th_  _xp_rts  _rg_d  __rl_n_s  t_  f_st_r  _  c_lt_r_  _n  wh_ch  p_l_ts  c_n  r_p_rt  t_r_dn_ss  w_th__t  f__r  _f  r_p_rc_ss__ns.  C_rr__rs  sh__ld  _ns_r_  th_t  p_ss_ng_r  s_f_ty  _s  th__r  t_p  pr__r_ty.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    a new report has raised serious concerns about pilot fatigue the european cockpit association eca conducted a survey of nearly 7200 pilots across 32 countries it discovered that exhaustion in the cockpit is a widespread and underreported problem more than threequarters of respondents said they had briefly dozed off while operating an aircraft in the month before the survey almost a quarter of them admitted they continued flying even when they were too tired furthermore half said they had operated a flight when they should have declared themselves unfit for duty tiredness can result from long working hours insufficient rest and unpredictable schedules

    the pilots were very frank in their answers to the survey questions many said they were reluctant to report fatigue because they feared punishment or other negative reactions from their bosses captain coen george a director of the eca warned when pilots fear career consequences fatigue goes unreported and the risk returns to the cockpit aviation safety experts say exhaustion can impair judgement slow reaction times and prevent pilots from responding effectively to unexpected inflight situations the experts urged airlines to foster a culture in which pilots can report tiredness without fear of repercussions carriers should ensure that passenger safety is their top priority

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Anewreporthasraisedseriousconcernsaboutpilotfatigue.TheEurope
    anCockpitAssociation(ECA)conductedasurveyofnearly7,200pilotsac
    ross32countries.Itdiscoveredthatexhaustioninthecockpitisawidespr
    eadandunderreportedproblem.Morethanthree-quartersofresponde
    ntssaidtheyhadbrieflydozedoffwhileoperatinganaircraftinthemonth
    beforethesurvey.Almostaquarterofthemadmittedtheycontinuedflyi
    ngevenwhentheyweretootired.Furthermore,halfsaidtheyhadoperat
    edaflightwhentheyshouldhavedeclaredthemselvesunfitforduty.Tire
    dnesscanresultfromlongworkinghours,insufficientrest,andunpredic
    tableschedules.Thepilotswereveryfrankintheiranswerstothesurvey
    questions.Manysaidtheywerereluctanttoreportfatiguebecausetheyf
    earedpunishmentorothernegativereactionsfromtheirbosses.Captai
    nCoenGeorge,adirectoroftheECA,warned:"Whenpilotsfearcareerco
    nsequences,fatiguegoesunreportedandtheriskreturnstothecockpit.
    "Aviationsafetyexpertssayexhaustioncanimpairjudgement,slowrea
    ctiontimesandpreventpilotsfromrespondingeffectivelytounexpecte
    din-flightsituations.Theexpertsurgedairlinestofosteracultureinwhic
    hpilotscanreporttirednesswithoutfearofrepercussions.Carriersshoul
    densurethatpassengersafetyistheirtoppriority.

    Free writing

    Write about pilot fatigue for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    All pilots, train drivers, bus drivers, etc. should be tested for tiredness. Discuss.

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    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. FATIGUE: Make a poster about fatigue. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. TIREDNESS TESTS: Write a magazine article about all companies being required to give their staff tiredness tests. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
    Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
    5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
    6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on fatigue. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to stay alert when you are tired. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

    Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

    Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

    Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

    Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

    Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

    Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

    Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

    Also...

    Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

    • News
    • Warm ups
    • Pre-reading / Post-reading
    • Using headlines
    • Working with words
    • While-reading / While-listening
    • Moving from text to speech
    • Post-reading / Post-listening
    • Discussions
    • Using opinions
    • Plans
    • Language
    • Using lists
    • Using quotes
    • Task-based activities
    • Role plays
    • Using the central characters in the article
    • Using themes from the news
    • Homework

    Buy my book

    $US 9.99

    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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