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In formulating this rule, the FAA considered the fact that augmentation is currently used by air carriers to mitigate fatigue. An augmented flight is staffed by more than the minimally-required number of flightcrew members, and the extra staffing allows the flightcrew members to work in shifts and rest during the flight. Existing regulations allow higher flight times for augmented flights, and this allows air carriers to conduct longer flights.
The rule introduces the following concepts and requirements to augmented operations:
- a diurnal component
- a classification of onboard rest facilities
- inflight rest requirements
- penalties for un-acclimated operations
Like the Flight time limitations for augmented operations, the FDP limitations for augmented operations are used to offset transient fatigue brought about by how long a flight crewmember has been awake.
The diurnal component will mitigate fatigue associated with the circadian cycles.
Authors note: Based upon previous FAA interpretations, it is believed that all operational flight segments within the FDP must have the augmented flightcrew compliment.
Q16) What conditions are required for the determination the flight duty time limitations for a flight crewmember assigned to a FDP as a member of an augmented flightcrew?
A16) The class of the in-flight rest facility as stipulated in (117.3 Definitions – Rest Facility) and Augmentation as stipulated in (117.3 Definitions – Augmented flightcrew). The class of the rest facility are further defined in AC 117-1.
Q17) What are the flight duty time limitations for a flight crewmember assigned to a FDP as a member of an augmented flightcrew?
A17)117.17(a) and (b) stipulates to follow the flight duty time limitations as depicted in Table C. If acclimated, at Report Time using either local time at the start of the FDP series or the pilot’s home base time if within 60 degrees longitude or the time zone to where the flight crewmember was last acclimated to when the flight crewmember is in an un-acclimated state. The Class of the in-flight rest facility and the applied crew compliment.
Table C to Part 117—Flight Duty Period: Augmented Operations
Q18) Are there specific in-flight rest requirements for members of an augmented flightcrew?
A18) Yes, the pilot flying the aircraft during landing must have had 2 consecutive hours rest in the second half of the FDP, and the pilot performing monitoring duties during landing must have had 90 consecutive minutes rest. (117.17(c) refers)
Q19) Are there any scheduled landing limitations for augmented flightcrew?
A19) Yes, 3 flight segments as stipulated under 117.17(d)
Q20) May the scheduled landing limitations for augmented flightcrew be exceeded due to a diversion?
A20)Yes, Accordingly, a diversion would not count toward the 3-segment limit that applies to augmented operations.
Q21) Are there any additional flightcrew qualification for augmented flightcrew?
A21) Yes, at all times on the flight deck a flightcrew member qualified in accordance to 121.543(b)(3)(i) is in operation of the flight controls. (117.17(e) refers)
117.17 Flight duty period: Augmented flightcrew.
(a) For flight operations conducted with an acclimated augmented flightcrew, no certificate holder may assign and no flightcrew member may accept an assignment if the scheduled flight duty period will exceed the limits specified in Table C of this part.
(b) If the flightcrew member is not acclimated:
(1) The maximum flight duty period in Table C of this part is reduced by 30 minutes.
(2) The applicable flight duty period is based on the local time at the theater in which the flightcrew member was last acclimated.
(c) No certificate holder may assign and no flightcrew member may accept an assignment under this section unless during the flight duty period:
(1) Two consecutive hours in the second half of the flight duty period are available for in-flight rest for the pilot flying the aircraft during landing.
(2) Ninety consecutive minutes are available for in-flight rest for the pilot performing monitoring duties during landing.
(d) No certificate holder may assign and no flightcrew member may accept an assignment involving more than three flight segments under this section.
(e) At all times during flight, at least one flightcrew member qualified in accordance with § 121.543(b)(3)(i) of this chapter must be at the flight controls.
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Understanding FAR 117 
Under 117, the on-board rest facilities, must meet one of the definitions under 117.3 (Class 1, 2 or 3) to qualify for the FDP limitations contained within Table-C. Should no facilities be able to be provided, operations conducted with more than 2 pilots, must still be performed under the restrictions in 117.11 (Table-A) and 117.13 (Table-B). Cargo operations under 121 that are not part of a series of flights that operate under 117 are not required to operate under 117 ( 117.1 applicability) as well as Part 121 Subpart(s) Q, R and S, 121.470, 121.480, 121.500 Applicability. Since 121 contains no definitions concerning rest facilities, those operations that do not operate under 117, do not have the same requirements and restrictions. I suggest you consult with your airlines own documentation, as my opinion may differ from what the FAA has approved for your specific airline.
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On aircraft without rest facility meeting ANY of the definitions within Part 117, are augmented operations even allowed? For example, B767-300 freighter with only cockpit jumpseats (insufficient recline and no leg or foot rest).
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