Date: 201404
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Trainee
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Fatigue; Physiological - Other; Training / Qualification; Workload
Anomaly: Other Ineffective training due to scheduling induced fatigue
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: Other Over an extended training curricula
Contributing factors: Human Factors
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: I am in training for 737 NG Captain. I was a 737/300 Captain in the past. Additionally I am coming off of the 747/400; so both the aircraft and the box are familiar. My partner is coming off of the A320 with no recent Boeing glass experience.The training has been sufficient for myself. However I have observed that the Airbus First Officers in our class have been more challenged. This is relevant because of the timing of our training. Our initial training sessions were all scheduled for a [very early morning] brief. Obviously training conducted [very early morning] will not be as sticky as training that is not conducted in a Window of Circadian Low (WOCL). We completed all four training events in WOCL.This was followed by a brief in normal hours then a Systems Evaluation. Two days off then a travel day to [the training facility]. In [the training facility] we are training in the simulator with motion off for FTDB events. All of our periods are scheduled from [late night to early morning]; another WOCL. In the first three periods it has been my feeling that we are getting some training value up until about midnight local time; followed by a rapid degradation in performance. I notice this in my partner; the instructor; and myself.It would be an interesting exercise to observe a video of our training sessions. It would be classic study in the effects of sleep deprivation on performance. I believe that it would clearly show that very little training is being accomplished. Performance is degraded and tempers are short. If you want to discuss this further we can do so privately.Last night we returned to the hotel around XA:00 am. I was unable to sleep until about XB am. I was woken promptly at XF am by the sound of maids working; doors slamming; and people talking in the hall. This was my third consecutive night with approximately 4 hours of sleep. I was able to get a nap 2 days ago; but yesterday and today was unable to sleep due to ambient noise (airplanes; maids; etc).I am absolutely too fatigued to train. In addition I am starting to get physically ill from lack of quality rest. To add insult to injury the rest of my training schedule is more of the same; all [late night to early morning] SIM periods. I have concerns about the quality of training for myself; and my crew under these conditions. I request that steps be taken to mitigate the threats posed by this training schedule. At least for me; six days in a row of this; followed by only 2 days off; is unrealistic and not conducive to quality training. My crew and our customers deserve better.




Synopsis: A B737NG Captain in training expressed concern over his debilitating training schedule conducted almost exclusively on the back side of his body clock in either midnight or predawn conditions.