FATIGUE (It Happens To Everyone)

     One perfect summer morning an advanced student was checking oxygen and stowing charts, food and water for a much anticipated cross-country flight.   Noticing the way I stared at my feet while he was bustling around, he asked if I was alright.        “Oh yeah," I muttered.   "Didn’t get much sleep last night, but I'll be fine.”      He stopped momentarily. “Are you sure?”      “I’m OK.”   That wasn't half-hearted enough to dampen his enthusiasm, and neither of us mentioned it again.   I snapped into FUNCTION mode the moment our launch began and stayed sharp (or thought I did) all throughout the usual tribulations of a long flight.   Then, feet back on the ground a half hour before sunset, fatigue caught up with me and I melted down onto one knee.   The shade of that wing looked so inviting after all day high in the sun, I crawled under to wait while he tidied the cockpit.    Because even sitting seemed too much work, I lay back on the still warm ground, inhaled the soft evening air and promptly fell asleep – only seconds after rolling to a stop!     Had I been sufficiently safe as pilot in command?   If our flight lasted an hour longer or I’d had even less sleep the night before, would I have still been alert prior to landing?   Maybe, but it's hard to say yes with any conviction.   Also, how might additional stresses, such as dehydration have further affected my ability?