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Understanding FAR Part 117 

Flight and Duty Time Limitations and Rest Requirements: Flightcrew Members.

Version 1.11

IntroductionWhat is the FNPRM?

The FAA published the FNPRM (Final Notice of Proposed Rule Making) on 04Jan2012 in the Federal Register.

The regulations establish:Pilot - Flight / Duty Time Limitations and Rest Requirements.

When do the Airlines have to comply?Simply put, 04Jan2014, this date is two years since the publication date.

What do the Airlines have to do to comply?Develop scheduling policies.Develop training programs.Update their Operations Specification (OPSPEC).Upgrade crewmember scheduling software, including crew planning and crew tracking software.

Intent of this presentationTo summarize the following sections of the FNPRM.

117.1 Applicability.117.3 Definitions.117.11 Flight time limitation.117.13 Flight duty period: Un-augmented operations.117.15 Flight duty period: Split duty.117.17 Flight duty period: Augmented flightcrew.117.19 Flight duty period extension.117.21 Reserve status.117.23 Cumulative duty limitations.117.25 Rest period.117.27 Consecutive nighttime operations.

Not included in this presentation

The following sections of the FNPRM.117.5 Fitness for duty117.7 Fatigue risk management system117.9 Fatigue education and training program117.29 Emergency and government sponsored operations

Major ChangesApplicability:

• Part 121 passenger operations must apply FAR part 117 for all operations conducted under -o Domestic (subpart Q) oro Flag (subpart R) or o Supplemental (subpart S)

• Part 121 All cargo operations o may still operate under FAR 121 subparts Q, R or S

Major ChangesNew scheduling concepts

include: • Flight Duty Period (FDP)• Acclimatization• Window of Circadian Low (WOCL)• Part 91 Flights

o are now considered the same as Part 121 Flights when conducted during a series of FDP operating under 117.

o Note: clarifying questions to the FAA have been made concerning the required separation between Part 91 and Part 121 to qualify specific Part 91 flights not to be subject to FAR Part 117 .

Major Changes

Cumulative Limitations for:• Flight Duty Period• Flight Time (Block)• Extended Flight Duty Periods• Consecutive Night Duty

Does not include at this time

Part 135 operations

Part 91 Subpart K operations

Part 121 Flight Attendants• Airlines may elect to apply these rules to

FA’s

Basic DefinitionsCalendar day means a 24-hour period from 0000 through 2359 using Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) or local time (Base time).

Duty means any task that a flightcrew member performs as required by the certificate holder, including but not limited to flight duty period, flight duty, pre- and post-flight duties, administrative work, training, deadhead transportation, aircraft positioning on the ground, aircraft loading, and aircraft servicing.

Report time means the time that the certificate holder requires a flightcrew member to report for an assignment.

Rest period means a continuous period determined prospectively during which the flightcrew member is free from all restraint by the certificate holder, including freedom from present responsibility for work should the occasion arise.

Basic DefinitionsScheduled means to appoint, assign, or designate for a fixed time.

Sleep opportunitymeans a period of time when a crewmember is provided and allowed to be in a suitable accommodation to rest in.

Suitable accommodation means a temperature-controlled facility with sound mitigation and the ability to control light that provides a flightcrew member with the ability to sleep either in a bed, bunk or in a chair that allows for flat or near flat sleeping position. Suitable accommodation only applies to ground facilities and does not apply to aircraft onboard rest facilities.

Unforeseen operational circumstance means an unplanned event of insufficient duration to allow for adjustments to schedules, including unforecast weather, equipment malfunction, or air traffic delay that is not reasonably expected.

AugmentationThe use of Augmentation is restricted under the following conditions:

• At least one flightcrew member with a PIC type rating must be present and alert on the flight deck at all times.

• A limitation of 3 flight segments in any FDP.

• Ninety consecutive minutes are available for in-flight rest for the pilot performing monitoring duties during landing.

• The flightcrew member who will be landing the aircraft on the final leg of the FDP is required to have 2 hours of uninterrupted rest in the second half of the FDP.

AugmentationRest facility means a bunk or seat accommodation installed in an aircraft that provides a flightcrew member with a sleep opportunity.

1) Class 1 rest facility means a bunk or other surface that allows for a flat sleeping position and is located separate from both the flight deck and passenger cabin in an area that is temperature-controlled, allows the flightcrew member to control light, and provides isolation from noise and disturbance.

2) Class 2 rest facility means a seat in an aircraft cabin that allows for a flat or near flat sleeping position; is separated from passengers by a minimum of a curtain to provide darkness and some sound mitigation; and is reasonably free from disturbance by passengers or flightcrew members.

3) Class 3 rest facility means a seat in an aircraft cabin or flight deck that reclines at least 40 degrees and provides leg and foot support.

AugmentationApplied Flightcrew Member Schemes All operational flights contained within a FDP shall be evaluated to determine the minimum applied scheme as follows:

This is consistent with current FAR interpretations, to avoid circumvention of Flight Time / Flight Duty Time Limitations and Rest Requirements.

FDP with more than 3 legs scheduled, must apply • 2 Pilot Schemes (Un-augmented).

Augmentation

Example 1: legal, complies with the requirement for 2 hrs inflight rest in the 2nd half of the FDP, for the pilot who will perform the landing on the final flight.

Example 2: illegal, no 2 hr continuous rest in the 2nd half of the FDP can be found.

Augmentation

Example 1: legal for a 3 or 4 pilot flightcrew, complies with the requirement for 2 hrs inflight rest in the 2nd half of the FDP and a 90 minute inflight rest for the pilot performing monitoring duties during landing.

Example 2: legal for a 4 pilot flightcrew only, the inflight rest periods must overlap.

Flight Duty Period (FDP)

121 121 91 DHD

FDP

Duty TimeRelease Time

Arrive Time

Report Time

Flight Time Between Rest Periods

Block Flight Time between rest periods - is the sum of the Block for all legs contained within the duty period.

Note:Difference between Duty Time and FDP

AcclimatizationA Theater is a zone 60 degrees wide, relative to the departure station of the duty period.

JFK 073 deg WestSFO 122 deg WestCDG 002 deg East

JFK to SFO is in the same Theater. 49 deg difference

JFK to CDG Exits the Theater. 75 deg difference

AcclimatizationA crewmember is deemed to be acclimated whenever that individual has either:

• At least 36 hours continuous rest within a specific theater or

• Has remained in a specific theater for at least 72 hours.

Otherwise the individual is NOT acclimated.JFK - CDG CDG – ATH - CDG CDG - JFK

Rest < 36 Rest >= 36

Crewmember will remain un-acclimated until the 36 hour rest period has been received.

Theater 1 acclimated Theater 2 un-acclimated Theater 2 acclimated

Time in Theater < 72

Acclimatization

The FAA issued a letter of interpretation on 30-November-2012

• The revised final rule states that theater is the geographical area in which the distance between the FCM's departure and arrival point differ by no more that 60 degrees.

• You could have a scenario where a pilot starts a series of FDPs and heads west 60 degrees, lays over, flies east to the point of origination, lays over and then continues going east 60 degrees.

• In this case, the FCM is still within a theater that is technically 120 degrees wide.

Acclimatization

Acclimatization effects:

• Daily FDP Limitations

• Daily Flight Time Limitations

• Rest Requirements

• Application of WOCL Rules

• Application of Night Duty Rules

WOCL

Physiological night’s rest means 10 hours rest that encompasses the hours of 0100 and 0700 at the crewmember’s home base, unless the individual has acclimated to a different theater. If the crewmember has acclimated, the rest must encompass the hours of 0100 and 0700 at the acclimated location.

Window of circadian low means a period of maximum sleepiness that occurs between 0200 and 0559 during a physiological night.

Split Duty PeriodDuty Break:

• Is a span of time in which an individual is in a suitable accommodation (Hotel) for no less than 3:00 and not more than a required rest period.

• A duty break must occur between 22:00 and 05:00• A duty break is NOT considered a rest period.• A duty break is scheduled prior to the start of the FDP.• The actual duty break given must be no less than the scheduled

duty break.

Split Duty:• Is a duty that contains a duty break.

Duty Break

Arrival Time Depart Time

Check-In Time Check-Out Time

Ground Time

Split Duty Period

Split Duty:• The Total of the FDP’s Before and After the Duty Break – must not

exceed the limits in Table B.

Duty Break

Arrival Time Depart Time

Check-In Time Check-Out Time

FDP – Before Break FDP – After Break

Ground Time

Split Duty Period

Split Duty:• The Total of the FDP’s Before and After the Duty Break – must not

exceed the limits in Table B.

Scheduled Time of

Start(Acclimated Time)

Maximum Flight Duty Period (hours) for Lineholders Based on Number Of (Operational) Flight Segments

1 2 3 4 5 6 7+

0000-0359 9 9 9 9 9 9 90400-0459 10 10 10 10 9 9 90500-0559 12 12 12 12 11.5 11 10.50600-0659 13 13 12 12 11.5 11 10.50700-1159 14 14 13 13 12.5 12 11.51200-1259 13 13 13 13 12.5 12 11.51300-1659 12 12 12 12 11.5 11 10.51700-2159 12 12 11 11 10 9 92200-2259 11 11 10 10 9 9 92300-2359 10 10 10 10 9 9 9

Split Duty Period

Split Duty:• The Combined FDP and Duty Break may not exceed 14:00

Duty Break

Arrival Time Depart Time

Check-In Time Check-Out Time

FDP – Before Break FDP – After Break

Combined FDP’s and Duty Break

Ground Time

Night DutyNight Flight Duty Period (NFDP):

• Is a Flight Duty Period which infringes upon any portion of the WOCL.

1 2 6543WOCL

• Consecutive NFDPs are those which occur during the WOCL on consecutive calendar days.

• A duty break is a period in which a Flightcrew member is given a sleep opportunity in a suitable accommodation of at least 2 hours between 22:00 and 05:00.

• Note: A sleep opportunity greater than or equal to 2 hours but less than 3 hours will not qualify a FCM to operate under Split duty limitations (FAR 117.15)

Night DutyNight Flight Duty Period (NFDP):• A flightcrew member is not allowed to be assigned to more than 3

consecutive NFDPs – unless the following conditions are met …

1 2 6543WOCL

o All of the NFDPs must contain a duty break.

o The Flightcrew member may be assigned a maximum of 5 consecutive NFDPs.

Rest in a suitable accommodation

Rest Period: Sleep opportunity:Measured from Release to Report. Measured from Hotel Check-in to Hotel Check-out.

Sleep Opportunity

Rest Period

Check-Out

Report

Check-In

Release

Suitable accommodation: Shall only be applied to ground facilities and not to aircraft onboard rest facilities. Example – Hotel

Rest RequirementsMinimum Rest before a FDP or Reserve:• Rest Period of 10:00 and• Sleep opportunity of 8:00

o (117.25(e) refers)

Minimum Rest after a DHD that exceeds The FDP limit in table B:• Rest Period of max of DHD

time or 10:00o (117.25.(g) refers)

Required Rest in 168:00 all operations:• At least one rest period of

30:00 must be found in the previous 168:00 measured from the scheduled start of the Reserve or FDP.

Required Rest at Base after a change in Theater for a series of FDP that exceed 168:00:• 3 Physiological night’s rest

with a minimum rest period of 56 hours.

A sleep opportunity must be able to guarantee 8 hours of un-interrupted rest (117.25(f) refers)

Rest Requirements

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

30 hr

168 hour lookback from start of FDP / Reserve - illegal

Duty Period

Rest Period FDP

Rest period > = 30

Application of 30 hour rest period within the past 168 consecutive hours.

168 hour lookback from start of FDP / Reserve - legal

Daily Flight Time LimitationsUn-Augmented Operations:• Limited to flight time limitations in Table A for that duty period.• The start time is relative to the Report time of that duty period.

Augmented Operations:• Limited to 13:00 scheduled flight time for that duty period for 3 pilot flight

crew• Limited to 17:00 scheduled flight time for that duty period for 4 pilot flight

crew

Time of Report

(Acclimated)

Maximum Flight Time

(hours)

0000-0459 8

0500-1959 9

2000-2359 8Table A

Daily Flight Time Limitations117.11 Flight time limitation.No certificate holder may schedule and no flightcrew member may accept an assignment or continue an assigned flight duty period if the total flight time:a) Will exceed the limits specified in Table A of this part if the operation is conducted

with the minimum required flightcrew.b) Will exceed 13 hours if the operation is conducted with a 3 pilot flightcrew.c) Will exceed 17 hours if the operation is conducted with a 4 pilot flightcrew.

(Currently under 121 Regulations this is a scheduled flight time limit)

4:20 4:20 Total scheduled flight time 8:40

4:41 4:20 Total flight time 9:01 (due to late arrival on leg 1)

Daily FDP LimitationsUn-Augmented FDP:• Based upon

o the Time of Report ando the number of (operational) flight segments

• The scheduled FDP may not exceed the limits in Table B. • Non-Acclimated FDPs shall reduce the limits in Table B by 0:30

Scheduled Time of

Start(Acclimated Time)

Maximum Flight Duty Period (hours) for Lineholders Based on Number Of (Operational) Flight Segments

1 2 3 4 5 6 7+

0000-0359 9 9 9 9 9 9 90400-0459 10 10 10 10 9 9 90500-0559 12 12 12 12 11.5 11 10.50600-0659 13 13 12 12 11.5 11 10.50700-1159 14 14 13 13 12.5 12 11.51200-1259 13 13 13 13 12.5 12 11.51300-1659 12 12 12 12 11.5 11 10.51700-2159 12 12 11 11 10 9 92200-2259 11 11 10 10 9 9 92300-2359 10 10 10 10 9 9 9Table B

Daily FDP LimitationsAugmented FDP:• Based upon:

o the Time of Report ando the number of flight crew ando the type if in-flight rest facility on board,

• The scheduled FDP may not exceed the limits in Table C.• Non-Acclimated FDPs shall reduce the limits in Table C by 0:30

Scheduled Time of

Start(Acclimate

d Time)

Maximum Flight Duty Period (hours) Based on Rest Facility and Number of Pilots

Class 1 Rest Facility Class 2 Rest Facility Class 3 Rest Facility

3 Pilots 4 Pilots 3 Pilots 4 Pilots 3 Pilots 4 Pilots 0000-0559 15 17 14 15.5 13 13.50600-0659 16 18.5 15 16.5 14 14.50700-1259 17 19 16.5 18 15 15.51300-1659 16 18.5 15 16.5 14 14.51700-2359 15 17 14 15.5 13 13.5

Table C

Daily FDP LimitationsUn-Augmented FDP:

• May be extended up to 2:00

Augmented FDP:• May be extended up to 2:00

FDP extensions beyond 0:30 may not occur more than once in any 168:00 period unless an intervening rest period of 30 hours may be found.

FDP extensions beyond the Daily Scheduled Limitation in table B/C are further limited should the extension exceed the Cumulative FDP Limitations in FAR 117.23.(c).

Daily FDP Limitations

Application of FDP extensions greater than 0:30 in any 168 hour period

Daily FDP Limitations

FDP on day 8 is illegal if it is extended more than 0:30 beyond the scheduled FDP limit

Accumulative Limitations

Day 5

Day 4

Day 3

Day 1

Day 6

Today Day 7

Day 2

Day 8

Day 9

Is a Lookback from point of evaluation

Uses Actual values for previously performed activities.

Scheduled values for activities to be completed

Accumulative Limitations

Flight Time Limitations:• May not exceed 100:00 in 672:00• May not exceed 1000:00 in 365 Calendar Days (Base

Time)o Two checks required for legs that cross midnight

FDP Limitations:• May not exceed 60:00 in 168:00• May not exceed 190:00 in 672:00

Extended FDP before takeoff may NOT cause a violation of Cumulative FDP Limits (117.19 (a)(3) refers)

Lookback is from arrival time of leg or Midnight.

Lookback is from arrival time of leg.

ReservesAirport Standby (ASB):

• Occurs when a crewmember reports for flight duty at a specific location to await assignment to a trip.

• Is considered duty as well as flight duty period. • Is subject to flight duty limitations.• Is subject to rest requirements

Short Call Reserve (SC):• means a period of time in which a crewmember does not receive a required

rest period following notification by the certificate holder to report for a flight duty period.

• Is subject to flight duty limitations when assigned to a FDP.• Is subject to rest requirements

Long Call Reserve (LC):• Is NOT considered duty OR flight duty period. • Will require an intervening rest period prior to being assigned to a SC

Reserve or FDP when a flightcrew member is notified by the certificate holder to report for duty.

Reserve Limitations

FDP for Airport Reserve (ASB):• Is measured from Report of the Reserve to the later of Release from

the Reserve or the last operating Flight in the 1st FDP.

FDP Limits:• Is from Table B, using the Report time of the Reserve and the

number of flights, If the ASB is not assigned a trip the FDP shall be limited using 1 Flight.

Airport Reserve

FDPReport Arriv

e Time

Reserve Limitations

Reserve Availability Period(RAP):• Is 14:00 maximum

o this is the time frame that an air carrier may contact, require a flightcrew member to report to a trip.

Short Call Reserve

FDP

Start of SC

Arrive Time

Trips assigned outside the RAP require a minimum rest period of 10:00 with a minimum sleep opportunity of 8:00.

Report of Trip

RAP – 14:00

Reserve LimitationsCombined RAP and FDP for Short Call Reserve (SC):• Is measured from start of the reserve to the later of release from the

reserve the last operating Flight in the 1st FDP.

Short Call Reserve

FDPStart of SC

Arrive Time

Combined RAP and FDP Limits Un-Augmented Operations:• Is the lesser of:

o 16:00o Table B + 4:00

o applied to the start time of the RAP

Report of Trip

Combined RAP and FDP Limit

• Use the Start Time of the FDP to find the FDP limit from Table B + 4:00.

Reserve LimitationsCombined RAP and FDP for Short Call Reserve (SC):• Is measured from Report of the reserve to the later of Release from the

reserve or the last operating Flight in the 1st FDP.

Short Call Reserve

Start of SC

Arrive Time

Combined RAP and FDP Limits Augmented Operations:• Is Table C + 4:00, applied to the start

time of the SC.

Report of Trip

FDP

Combined RAP and FDP Limit

• Use the Start Time of the FDP to find the FDP limit from Table C + 4:00

Reserve Limitations

In this example, the FCM is strictly limited by the permitted extensions for the FDP assigned during RAP, where No extension beyond 1900 will be permitted.

Reserve Limitations

In this example, the crewmember is strictly limited by the permitted extensions of the FDP assigned during the RAP, and no further extension beyond 20:00 will be permitted if the condition is known before takeoff. As you can see the FDP is extended beyond the combined RAP and FDP limit of 16:00.

Reserve Limitations

In this example, we can see how the combined RAP and FDP limitation is now the controlling factor.

Since the Combined RAP and FDP, requires a scheduled end of the FDP by 19:00, it will only be permitted to be extended by 2:00 until 21:00, even though the FDP assigned during the RAP would permit the extension to 22:00.

Extension rules that are still in effect are previous extensions beyond 0:30 within the previous 168:00 without an intervening rest greater than or equal to 30:00, and Cumulative FDP limitations.

Reserve Limitations

Required Rest period after Long Call Reserve (LC):• Is 10:00 if assigned to a Trip, SC reserve, ASB reserve.

If the following Flight Duty Period Operates Into the WOCL:• The FCM must have at least 12:00 notification prior to the report of the

FDP.

Long Call Reserve

Release from

(End of) LC

Report of Trip

Rest Period

WOCL

Time of Notification >= 12:00

Re-Scheduling FDP Start Time

Rest Period

Long–Call Method

WOCL

Sleep opportunity

Sleep opportunity

Notification

Time of Notification

At Time of Notification it must provide for a Rest period of 10 hours with a Sleep opportunity of 8 hours.

At least 12 notice must be given if the FDP will operate into the WOCL.

Daily FDP limitations Table-B/C with permitted extensions will use the Re-Scheduled FDP start time.

Re-Scheduled FDP start time.

Time of Notification

Re-Scheduling FDP Start Time

Rest Period

Short–Call Method

Sleep opportunity

NotificationTime of Notification

At Time of Notification it must provide for a Rest period of 10 hours with a Sleep opportunity of 8 hours.

Time from Original FDP start Time to Re-Scheduled FDP start time is considered to be Time on Short-Call Reserve.

Daily FDP limitations Table-B/C with permitted extensions will use the Re-Scheduled FDP start time.The time considered to be on Short-Call Reserve will not be considered towards the Cumulative FDP Limits in 168 / 672 hours, however it must adhere to the limitations for Short-Call Reserve in 117.21.

Original FDP start time.

Re-Scheduled FDP start time.

Re-Scheduling FDP Start Time

Original FDP start time.

Rest Period

Without using Long/Short Call Reserve

Sleep opportunity

Time of Release from the Duty Period

The Time of Release from the Previous Duty period must provide for a Rest period of 10 hours with a Sleep opportunity of 8 hours.

Daily FDP limitations Table-B/C with permitted extensions will use the Original Scheduled FDP start time.The time considered from the original scheduled FDP start to the Re-Scheduled FDP start time will Not be considered towards the Cumulative FDP Limits in 168 / 672 hours.The Period / Sleep opportunity will be permitted to overlap the time from scheduled Start of the FDP to the Re-Scheduled start of the FDP.

Re-Scheduled FDP start time.