Fitness for Duty: Proposed FAR Amendment to Air Crew Flight Time Limitations and Rest Requirements

The proposed Air Transport Association (ATA) amendement to the Federal Air Regulations is examined with respect to public safety. The ATA has petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for this change which essentially asks that domestic aircrews not be restricted to 16 hours on duty, but be permitted to operate to as much as 20 hours on duty.

The stated purpose for this rulemaking proposal by the ATA is, “so that air carriers, passengers, and flight crewmembers are not unnecessarily inconvenienced”, and to “avoid unnecessary disruption of airline schedules”.

When the FAA implemented the new and improved flight/duty time regulations in 1986 (the first revision of its kind in 50 years), the purpose was to reduce fatigue and thereby increase safety.