I once fell asleep while flying a plane! 75% of the captains and co-pilots honestly said they were afraid of reporting the reasons because they were afraid of something happening.

Aircraft pilots can easily become fatigued due to irregular or changing shift patterns and jet lag. (Reuters)

Three quarters of European airline pilots admit to falling asleep in the cockpit, new research shows. A survey of nearly 7,200 captains and first officers revealed that pilots are suffering from a lack of rest and the stress of extended shifts.

The report, released by the European Cockpit Association (ECA), said findings showed drivers "fear being punished for reporting fatigue" which could create "safety risks".

Of the drivers surveyed, 24% admitted they continued working because of fatigue rather than reporting they were unwell, while only 16.8% said they would call in sick.

At the same time, three-quarters of respondents said they had "microsleep" in the cockpit due to fatigue. According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), microsleep is when you involuntarily "fall asleep for a few seconds" and "may not even realize it."

Drivers can easily become fatigued due to irregular or changing shift patterns and jet lag, which disrupts their "circadian clock", coupled with lack of sleep.

These results have serious safety implications, as these factors can impair pilots' judgment, slow down their reactions, reduce their alertness, and alter their responses to unexpected situations in flight.