Air Crew Duty Time

Abstract

Flight time, flight duty limitations, and rest requirements are compared between the regulations from 22 EU member states. Ten factors are identified which played a role in formulating restric- tions and criteria. Duration of flight duty and crew augmentation are the factors considered by most countries; aircraft type, time of day, night flight, flight time and range are the factors least conside- red. Conformity exists in the necessity to prescribe maximum per- missible flight or duty times and minimum rest requirements on a daily basis. Agreement was also observed in grading the standards according to more or less fatiguing conditions. Seven out of eleven regulations define night hours, but fail to agree upon beginning, end, and duration of night. All countries but one limit flying hours on a monthly and yearly basis, although the limits diverge. Minimum requirements of rest time vary between 8 and 12 hours. Several regu- lations provide for an extended rest period regularly once a week. Some provisions also require the inclusion of two consecutive nights.