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FAQ – Daily Flight Time Limitations.	FAQ – Daily Flight Duty Time Limitations Augmented Flight Crew.

One of the regulatory concepts that this rule introduces is the restriction on flightcrew members’ maximum FDP.

In creating a maximum FDP limit, the FAA attempted to address three concerns:

1. Flightcrew members’ circadian rhythms
2. the amount of time spent at work
3. the number of flight segments that a flightcrew member is scheduled to fly during his or her FDP.

The FAA also introduced penalties for un-acclimated operations.

Q11) How is FDP calculated?

A11) FDP is measured from the time a pilot reports with the intention of flight to the arrival time (IN time) of the last operating flight, or when the carrier notifies a pilot that there is no further intention of flight in the FDP, (117.3 Definitions – Flight duty period ).

Q12) What are the flight duty time limitations for a flight crewmember assigned to a FDP as a member of a 2-pilot flightcrew?

A12) 117.13(a)(b) stipulates to follow the flight duty time limitations as depicted in Table B. 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 number of Flight Segments includes (except for air returns and diversions) only segments where a takeoff, landing, or enroute control is expected to be executed or monitored by the flight crewmember. A Deadhead is not a flight segment, and a ground return to gate is not a flight segment

Table B to Part 117—Flight Duty Period: Un-augmented Operations

Q13) If a flight crewmember is re-scheduled during a FDP from 3 flight segments to 5 flight segments, is the FDP limitation based upon 3 or 5 segments?

A13) The subsequent increase in flight segments due to re-scheduling requires a re-evaluation of the FDP limitation based upon 5 segments. (117.13(a))

Q14) If a flight crewmember has a diversion during a FDP that causes an increase in flight segments from 4 to 5 segments, is the FDP limitation based upon 4 or 5 segments?

A14) Yes, Accordingly, because there was no intent to treat diversions as flight segments, a diversion does not constitute a new flight segment for purposes of part 117. In the example presented the FDP limitation would be based on 4 segments

Q15) If a flight crewmember is assigned to a FDP with 4 flight segments and is subsequently re-scheduled to 2 different flight segments after operating the first 2 flight segments must a re-evaluation of the FDP limits occur?

A15) Yes, 117.13(a) no certificate holder may assign and no flightcrew member may accept an assignment for an un-augmented flight operation if the scheduled flight duty period will exceed the limits in Table B of this part.

117.13  Flight duty period: Un-augmented operations.

(a)   Except as provided for in § 117.15, no certificate holder may assign and no flightcrew member may accept an assignment for an unaugmented flight operation if the scheduled flight duty period will exceed the limits in Table B of this part.

(b)   If the flightcrew member is not acclimated:

(1)    The maximum flight duty period in Table B 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.

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FAQ – Daily Flight Time Limitations.	FAQ – Daily Flight Duty Time Limitations – Augmented flightcrew.