[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":323},["ShallowReactive",2],{"learn-\u002Flearn\u002Fflight-time-limitations-explained":3,"learn-nav-\u002Flearn\u002Fflight-time-limitations-explained":276},{"id":4,"title":5,"body":6,"date":217,"description":218,"draft":219,"extension":220,"faqs":221,"howTo":231,"keyTakeaways":231,"meta":232,"navigation":233,"path":234,"quiz":235,"seo":258,"series":259,"seriesOrder":209,"sources":260,"stem":273,"topic":274,"__hash__":275},"learn\u002Flearn\u002Fflight-time-limitations-explained.md","Flight time limitations explained",{"type":7,"value":8,"toc":207},"minimark",[9,13,19,24,48,83,86,90,103,107,116,148,152,160,178,187,191,200,204],[10,11,12],"p",{},"Flight time limitations exist to keep fatigue from quietly eroding safety, and the rules turn on a handful of terms that are easy to mix up.",[14,15,16],"blockquote",{},[10,17,18],{},"This is general educational information, not operational, legal, or regulatory advice. Rules differ by authority and change over time. Always verify against current official sources and follow your operator's approved procedures.",[20,21,23],"h2",{"id":22},"four-words-to-keep-straight","Four words to keep straight",[10,25,26,27,34,35,41,42,47],{},"Almost every fatigue rule is built from four ideas, and the ",[28,29,33],"a",{"href":30,"rel":31},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.easa.europa.eu\u002Fen\u002Fdocument-library\u002Feasy-access-rules\u002Feasy-access-rules-air-operations",[32],"nofollow","EASA definitions"," (ORO.",[28,36,40],{"href":37,"className":38},"\u002Flearn\u002Fglossary#gt-ftl",[39],"glossary-link","FTL",".105) and the ",[28,43,46],{"href":44,"rel":45},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ecfr.gov\u002Fcurrent\u002Ftitle-14\u002Fchapter-I\u002Fsubchapter-G\u002Fpart-117",[32],"FAA Part 117 definitions"," (14 CFR 117.3) line up closely:",[49,50,51,59,71,77],"ul",{},[52,53,54,58],"li",{},[55,56,57],"strong",{},"Flight time"," is block time, measured from when the aircraft first moves for take-off until it comes to rest at the end of the flight. It is the narrowest of the four.",[52,60,61,70],{},[55,62,63,64,69],{},"Flight duty period (",[28,65,68],{"href":66,"className":67},"\u002Flearn\u002Fglossary#gt-fdp",[39],"FDP",")"," runs from when you report for a flight or series of flights until the aircraft finally comes to rest at the end of the last sector. It includes flight time plus the time on the ground between sectors.",[52,72,73,76],{},[55,74,75],{},"Duty"," is broader still: any task the operator requires, including the FDP, pre-flight and post-flight duties, training, and positioning.",[52,78,79,82],{},[55,80,81],{},"Rest"," is a continuous, protected period during which you are free of all duties.",[10,84,85],{},"A useful way to picture it: flight time sits inside the flight duty period, which sits inside duty, with rest as the counterweight that has to come before the next duty.",[20,87,89],{"id":88},"the-icao-baseline","The ICAO baseline",[10,91,92,93,98,99,102],{},"Internationally, ",[28,94,97],{"href":95,"rel":96},"https:\u002F\u002Fstore.icao.int\u002Fen\u002Fannex-6-operation-of-aircraft-part-i-international-commercial-air-transport-aeroplanes",[32],"ICAO Annex 6, Part I"," requires each State to set flight time, flight duty period, and rest limits, and it allows an approved Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS) as an alternative to fixed limits where the operator can show an equivalent level of safety. Annex 6 sets the obligation; the actual numbers are written by each authority, which is why an EASA limit and an FAA limit for the same situation are not the same figure. ",[55,100,101],{},"Never treat one authority's number as universal, and always check the version in force",", because these limits are amended over time.",[20,104,106],{"id":105},"easa-and-uk-caa-limits","EASA and UK CAA limits",[10,108,109,110,115],{},"Under the EASA rules in Regulation (EU) 965\u002F2012, Subpart FTL (and the ",[28,111,114],{"href":112,"rel":113},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.caa.co.uk\u002Fcommercial-industry\u002Fairlines\u002Fflight-time-limitations\u002Feasa-flight-time-limitations\u002F",[32],"UK CAA's retained version","), the headline caps for commercial air transport are attributed as follows:",[49,117,118,129,135,142],{},[52,119,120,122,123,128],{},[55,121,57],{}," is limited to 100 hours in any 28 consecutive days, 900 hours in any calendar year, and 1000 hours in any 12 consecutive calendar months (",[28,124,127],{"href":125,"rel":126},"https:\u002F\u002Feur-lex.europa.eu\u002Flegal-content\u002FEN\u002FTXT\u002F?uri=CELEX:02012R0965-20250501",[32],"EASA ORO.FTL.210",").",[52,130,131,134],{},[55,132,133],{},"Cumulative duty"," is limited to 60 hours in any 7 consecutive days, 110 hours in any 14 consecutive days, and 190 hours in any 28 consecutive days (EASA ORO.FTL.210).",[52,136,137,138,141],{},"The ",[55,139,140],{},"basic maximum daily FDP"," for an acclimatised crew is 13 hours, reduced as the number of sectors rises and for start times that fall in the window of circadian low, with extensions allowed only in limited, defined circumstances (EASA ORO.FTL.205).",[52,143,144,147],{},[55,145,146],{},"Minimum rest"," at home base is at least as long as the preceding duty period or 12 hours, whichever is greater; away from base it is at least the preceding duty period or 10 hours, whichever is greater, and the away figure must allow an 8-hour sleep opportunity (EASA ORO.FTL.235).",[20,149,151],{"id":150},"faa-limits","FAA limits",[10,153,154,155,159],{},"In the United States, the equivalent rules for scheduled passenger airlines live in ",[28,156,158],{"href":44,"rel":157},[32],"14 CFR Part 117",":",[49,161,162,167,173],{},[52,163,164,166],{},[55,165,57],{}," is limited to 100 hours in any 672 consecutive hours (that is, 28 days) and 1000 hours in any 365 consecutive calendar days (FAA 14 CFR 117.23).",[52,168,137,169,172],{},[55,170,171],{},"maximum flight duty period"," is not a single number but a table that depends on your report time and the number of flight segments, running up to roughly 14 hours for an unaugmented crew at the most favourable report times and reducing from there (FAA 14 CFR Part 117, Table B).",[52,174,175,177],{},[55,176,146],{}," before a flight duty period is at least 10 consecutive hours, including a minimum 8-hour uninterrupted sleep opportunity (FAA 14 CFR 117.25).",[10,179,180,181,186],{},"Part 117 applies to passenger operations conducted under ",[28,182,185],{"href":183,"rel":184},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.faa.gov\u002Ffaq\u002Fwhat-are-crewmember-flight-and-duty-time-and-rest-requirements",[32],"Part 121",". Operations under Part 135 and Part 91 have separate, historically less restrictive flight, duty, and rest rules, with FAA rulemaking under way to align some of them more closely with Part 117, so check the FAA for the current Part 135 requirements rather than assuming Part 117 applies.",[20,188,190],{"id":189},"why-the-detail-matters","Why the detail matters",[10,192,193,194,199],{},"These numbers are deliberately specific, and they differ by authority, by type of operation, and over time. The figures above are illustrative anchors with their source attached; they are not a substitute for the regulation in force for your operation. ",[28,195,198],{"href":196,"className":197},"\u002Flearn\u002Fglossary#gt-standby",[39],"Standby",", split duty, augmented crews, time-zone crossings, and disruptive schedules all change the picture, and an operator's approved scheme can be more restrictive than the baseline. When a calculation is close to a limit, go to the authority's current text.",[20,201,203],{"id":202},"in-pilot-efb","In Pilot EFB",[10,205,206],{},"Pilot EFB can import your roster from a CSV file and work out flight time and duty totals across the rolling periods, so you can see at a glance when you are approaching a limit. It is a planning and awareness aid, not a compliance system: the limits that bind you are those in your operator's approved scheme and the current regulation, and Pilot EFB is not a certified Electronic Flight Bag. Saved roster data stays available offline; pulling a fresh roster needs a connection.",{"title":208,"searchDepth":209,"depth":209,"links":210},"",2,[211,212,213,214,215,216],{"id":22,"depth":209,"text":23},{"id":88,"depth":209,"text":89},{"id":105,"depth":209,"text":106},{"id":150,"depth":209,"text":151},{"id":189,"depth":209,"text":190},{"id":202,"depth":209,"text":203},"2026-06-14","Flight time, duty, flight duty period and rest, explained plainly, with the EASA\u002FUK CAA and FAA limits attributed to each authority. Numbers differ by authority and change, so always check the current rule.",false,"md",[222,225,228],{"q":223,"a":224},"What is the difference between flight time, duty and flight duty period?","Flight time is block time, from when the aircraft first moves for take-off until it comes to rest. The flight duty period (FDP) runs from reporting for a flight or series of flights until the aircraft comes to rest at the end of the last sector, so it includes flight time plus the ground time between sectors. Duty is broader still, covering any task the operator requires, and rest is a protected period free of all duties.",{"q":226,"a":227},"Are EASA and FAA flight time limits the same?","No. ICAO Annex 6 requires each State to set flight time, duty and rest limits, but the actual numbers are written by each authority, so an EASA limit and an FAA limit for the same situation are not the same figure. Never treat one authority's number as universal, and always check the version in force.",{"q":229,"a":230},"Does Pilot EFB make me compliant with flight time limitation rules?","No. Pilot EFB can import a roster from a CSV file and total flight time and duty across the rolling periods as a planning and awareness aid, but it is not a compliance system. The limits that bind you are those in your operator's approved scheme and the current regulation.",null,{},true,"\u002Flearn\u002Fflight-time-limitations-explained",[236,242,250],{"q":237,"options":238,"answer":240,"explanation":241},"Which of the four terms is described as block time, measured from when the aircraft first moves for take-off until it comes to rest?",[239,57,75,81],"Flight duty period (FDP)",1,"Flight time is block time, measured from when the aircraft first moves for take-off until it comes to rest at the end of the flight. It is the narrowest of the four terms.",{"q":243,"options":244,"answer":209,"explanation":249},"Under the EASA and UK CAA rules, flight time for commercial air transport is limited to how much in any 28 consecutive days?",[245,246,247,248],"60 hours","90 hours","100 hours","190 hours","EASA ORO.FTL.210 limits flight time to 100 hours in any 28 consecutive days, alongside 900 hours in any calendar year and 1000 hours in any 12 consecutive calendar months.",{"q":251,"options":252,"answer":240,"explanation":257},"According to the article, does Pilot EFB make you compliant with flight time limitation rules?",[253,254,255,256],"Yes, it is a certified compliance system","No, it is a planning and awareness aid, not a compliance system","Yes, but only for EASA operations","Yes, once you import your roster from a CSV file","Pilot EFB imports a roster from a CSV file and totals flight time and duty across the rolling periods as a planning and awareness aid, but it is not a compliance system; the limits that bind you are those in your operator's approved scheme and the current regulation.",{"title":5,"description":218},"duty-rest-and-flight-time-limits",[261,263,265,267,269,271],{"label":262,"url":95},"ICAO Annex 6: Operation of Aircraft, Part I",{"label":264,"url":30},"EASA Easy Access Rules for Air Operations (Regulation (EU) 965\u002F2012, Subpart FTL)",{"label":266,"url":125},"EUR-Lex: Regulation (EU) No 965\u002F2012 (consolidated)",{"label":268,"url":112},"UK CAA: EASA flight time limitations",{"label":270,"url":44},"FAA 14 CFR Part 117 (Flight and Duty Limitations and Rest Requirements)",{"label":272,"url":183},"FAA: crewmember flight, duty and rest requirements","learn\u002Fflight-time-limitations-explained","Regulations","ECyyfbD_WnnAb_v1TqeKnxIEm28mpZWnbx7zStzMAvc",{"related":277,"newer":298,"older":304,"series":310},[278,285,291],{"path":279,"title":280,"description":281,"date":282,"topic":274,"draft":219,"minutes":283,"series":284,"seriesOrder":209},"\u002Flearn\u002Fvfr-weather-minima-and-cruising-levels","VFR weather minima and cruising levels","The visibility and distance-from-cloud minima for visual flight, and the semicircular cruising-level rule, with the ICAO baseline and the EASA and FAA figures attributed because the units and numbers differ.","2026-05-30",4,"plan-a-vfr-cross-country",{"path":286,"title":287,"description":288,"date":289,"topic":274,"draft":219,"minutes":283,"series":284,"seriesOrder":290},"\u002Flearn\u002Ffuel-planning-and-reserves","Fuel planning and reserves","Why a flight carries more fuel than the trip needs, the ICAO baseline, the FAA VFR and IFR reserve rules, and the EASA fuel-scheme components, each attributed because the numbers differ.","2026-05-29",3,{"path":292,"title":293,"description":294,"date":295,"topic":274,"draft":219,"minutes":296,"series":259,"seriesOrder":297},"\u002Flearn\u002Fstandby-and-reserve-duty","Standby and reserve duty","What standby and reserve mean, how airport standby differs from standby at home, how the FAA handles long-call and short-call reserve, and how standby converts into duty and the flight duty period.","2026-05-24",8,5,{"path":299,"title":300,"description":301,"date":302,"topic":303,"draft":219,"minutes":283,"series":231,"seriesOrder":231},"\u002Flearn\u002Funderstanding-notams","Understanding NOTAMs","What a NOTAM is, how the ICAO format and Q-line are built, the difference between NOTAMN, NOTAMR and NOTAMC, and how to deal with NOTAM overload.","2026-06-15","Briefing",{"path":305,"title":306,"description":307,"date":308,"topic":309,"draft":219,"minutes":283,"series":231,"seriesOrder":231},"\u002Flearn\u002Fstabilised-approaches-and-cdfa","Stabilised approaches and CDFA","Why a continuous descent final approach beats dive-and-drive, what a stabilised approach actually means, and where the 1000 ft and 500 ft gate heights come from.","2026-06-13","Operations",{"slug":259,"title":311,"part":209,"total":297,"prev":312,"next":318},"Duty, rest and flight time limits",{"path":313,"title":314,"description":315,"date":316,"topic":274,"draft":219,"minutes":317,"series":259,"seriesOrder":240},"\u002Flearn\u002Fduty-time-flight-time-and-fdp","Duty time, flight time and the flight duty period","The four terms at the heart of every fatigue rule, how the maximum flight duty period is built from report time and sectors, and how EASA and the FAA each handle extensions.","2026-04-30",7,{"path":319,"title":320,"description":321,"date":322,"topic":274,"draft":219,"minutes":317,"series":259,"seriesOrder":290},"\u002Flearn\u002Frest-requirements-explained","Rest requirements and minimum rest","What counts as a rest period, how EASA and the FAA set the minimum rest before a duty, the idea of a sleep opportunity, and the weekly rest that protects against cumulative fatigue.","2026-05-10",1781989191456]