Flight and Duty Limitations (FTL)

In order to prevent the daily and cumulative effects of fatigue, flight and duty limitations have been developed by regulatory authorities around the world. Flight and duty limitations are established to limit the number of hours flight and cabin crew can work in a particular period before rest must be taken.

In New Zealand, Civil Aviation Law requires operators to establish a scheme for the regulation of flight and duty time. Once this scheme is approved by the CAA, it becomes a part of the operators exposition. Such scheme are based on the principles of fatigue risk management systems. Subpart K of Part 121, 125 and 135 does not allow a crew member to operate an aircraft if they suspect they are suffering from the effects of fatigue. In addition no member may fly more than 100 hours in the previous 28 days or 1000 hours in the previous 365 days.

Beyond these requirement, fatigue reducing schemes vary between operators. In general, they will follow the following formats (developed from Civil Aviation Authority, 2006).


Two-Pilot Crews

Flight Time
No pilot shall be rostered to fly more than 8 hours in a single duty period. This may be extended to 8 hours 30 minutes in the event of a disrupt.

In addition to this, no pilot shall be rostered to fly more than

  • 35 hours in 7 days
  • 100 hours in 28 days
  • 300 hours in 90 days

Duty Period
No pilot shall be rostered a duty in excess of 11 hours. This may be extended to 12 hours in the event of a disrupt.

Rest Period
Normal rest periods are to be no less than 10 hours.

In the event that a pilot flies more than 8 hours or has more than 11 hours on duty. They shall have a minimum of 12 hours rest including the hours between midnight and 6am.

Further, if a pilot, within any 48 hour period, flies more than 16 hours, or has more than 11 hours on duty in a 24 hours period. They shall have not less than 24 hours rest. If a pilot, within any 72 hour period, flies more than 20 hours or has more than 29 hours. They shall have not less than 24 hours rest.


Single Pilot Crews

Single pilot operations are generally more restricted due to the increased likelihood of fatigue. They may also differ between VFR and IFR operations.

Flight Time
No pilot shall be rostered to fly more than 6 hours (IFR) or 8 hours (VFR) in a single duty period. This may be extended to (6)8 hours 30 minutes in the event of a disrupt.

In addition to this, no pilot shall be rostered to fly more than

  • (30)35 hours in 7 days
  • (90)100 hours in 28 days
  • (250)300 hours in 90 days

Duty Period
No pilot shall be rostered a duty in excess of 11 hours. This may be extended to 12 hours in the event of a disrupt for VFR operations only.

Meals
If any duty is to exceed 4 hours, the pilot shall be rostered a 30 minute meal break free of any duty. This shall occur in the first 5 hours of a duty and thereafter at intervals no exceeding 4 hours.

Rest Period
Normal rest periods are to be no less than 10 hours.

In the event that a pilot flies more than (6)8 hours or has more than 11 hours on duty in any 24 hour period. They shall have a minimum of 12 hours rest including the hours between midnight and 6am.

Further, if a pilot, within any 48 hour period, flies more than (12) 16 hours, or has more than 22 hours on duty. They shall have not less than 24 hours rest. If a pilot, within any 72 hour period, flies more than 20 hours or has more than 29 hours. They shall have not less than 24 hours rest.

References
1. Civil Aviation Authority (2006). Advisory Circular - AC119-2. http://www.caa.govt.nz/Advisory_Circulars/AC119-2.pdf, August 2006.

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