How do pilots stay awake on long flights?

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asked Nov 30, 2021 in Planes by 1988legme (690 points)
How do pilots stay awake on long flights?

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answered Nov 30, 2021 by Shawn (99,990 points)
During long haul flights pilots will sleep while other pilots take over the controls.

Long haul flight airplanes have bunk beds for the pilots to sleep in and while the current pilots are flying the plane the other pilots are sleeping.

Then when it's time for the current pilots to go to sleep the other pilots who were sleeping will get up and then take control of the airplane.

They fly the plane in shifts.

Most long haul aircraft have bunk beds available for both the Pilots and Cabin Crew.

These are generally hidden out of view from passengers.

If no bunks are available, commercial passenger seats in business or first class are set aside for the pilots to ensure a good standard of rest can be achieved.

Also one of the pilots may sleep for a bit and can sleep for up to 40 minutes while the other pilot is flying the airplane.

According to the rules of sleeping while piloting the plane.

The pilot can sleep for no more than 40 minutes, and must wake up at least half an hour before the descent for landing.

They get the first 15 minutes after the nap to fully awaken, during which they can't resume actually flying the plane, unless they need to help deal with an emergency.

How can pilots see at night when flying?

Pilots rely on flight instruments, navigation sensors and weather sensors (primarily radar) instead of normal vision when flying at night or passing through cloud.

Other lights on a plane include red and green LEDS on each wing which identity which direction the plane is facing when flying at night.

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