Airlines pilot is caught SLEEPING in the cockpit while flying a Boeing 747

A China Airlines pilot has been filmed taking a nap in the cockpit of his passenger jet mid-flight. 

The 30-second clip, filmed by the co-pilot, shows the Boeing 747 pilot slumping his head forward with his eyes closed while the aircraft was mid-flight. 

The pilot was identified as Weng Jiaqi, a senior officer for China Airlines, the national carrier of Taiwan, with almost 20 years' experience, according to media reports. 

The video surfaced just days after China Airlines pilots ended an unprecedented seven-day strike over issues such as pilot fatigue and long working hours. 

While it is not known when the incident took place, the airline responded saying that the clip was filmed before the recent strikes.  

Weng is said to be the airline's most senior Boeing 747 pilot, with near 20 years of experience flying mainly Tokyo, Okinawa, Seoul and Hong Kong. 

The chief pilot is also an instructor in charge of simulations at the China Airlines Flight Training Center.

Facing accusations including ignoring flight safety procedures, the pilot is said to have 'received adequate punishment', a statement by China Airlines said.

'Fatigue is inevitable. But as a senior officer, the pilot should have set a good example for his subordinates, an unnamed China Airlines pilot told EBC News. 

'If the pilot was really too tired, he could have alerted crew members and have them observe your condition,' he added.  

The co-pilot has also been disciplined for not waking the pilot up. 

Guidelines state that pilots can sleep in the cockpit on longer flights in what is known as 'controlled rest', but typically the procedure would be done with the seat pulled back and the pilot nowhere near the controls. 

Taiwan's Civil Aviation Bureau states that if pilots have flown for more than 12 hours, they should be given at least 24 hours off. 

The unprecedented seven-day strike officially ended last Thursday after the airline and the Taoyuan Union of Pilots signed an agreement addressing complaints about overwork and pilot fatigue following four rounds of negotiations. 

They also reached consensus on transparent co-pilot training and promotion, as well as replacement of the airline manager in charge of labor relations. 

About 70 per cent of the carrier's 1,300 pilots belong to the union. The strike affected bout 200 flights and 25,000 passengers.  

- DAILY MAIL