Dr. Gregory Belenky, director of the WSU Sleep and Performance Research Center, testified in front of the U.S. Senate Aviation, Operations, Safety and Security subcommittee yesterday on the importance of sleep and air traffic controllers’ effectiveness on the job.
Dr. Belenky shakes hands with WA Senator Maria Cantwell after the hearing.
Dr. Belenky (center) discusses the hearing with FAA Administrator J. Randolph Babbitt (left) and Transportation Department Inspector General Calvin Scovel III. Also testifying at the hearing was National Air Traffic Controllers Association President Paul Rinaldi.
Dr. Belenky’s research in the sleep lab at WSU Spokane supports the idea of providing air traffic controllers with on the job napping built into their work schedule. The sub-committee may consider new regulations on the FAA to control safety oversight as a result of the recent increase in air-traffic controller errors.
Read a full report on the hearing here: The Seattle PI
Read more about Dr. Belenky here: WSU Today story