In about one month, new European legislation with regard to Work and Rest Requirements for flight- and cabin crew will enter into force (Commission Regulation (EU) No 83/2014).

Deferral till the start of the IATA summer schedule

Since this date falls in the middle of the IATA winter schedule, the Dutch Authorities will accept this date to be deferred until the 27th of March (start IATA summer schedule), based on operational reasons

Backstage

Backstage European Airlines are working very hard to adjust their organisation, network planning and crew schedules to the new Flight Time Limitation requirements.

Main changes

The main changes compared to the current Flight Time Limitations requirements (EU-OPS Sub Part Q):

  • Home base is defined to be a single airport location with a high degree of permanence.
  • Reduction of the maximum Flight Duty Period in less favorable times of the day.
  • Fewer opportunities to extend the Flight Duty Period without in-flight rest (not allowed between 19:00 and 06:14 local time).
  • A more scientific approach to deal with the effects of time zone differences.
  • Improved minimum standards in-flight rest facilities.
  • Rules for shortened rest period will guarantee the possibility of eight hours sleep.
  • Mitigation of the effects of alternating rotation of the east-west.
  • An additional limit of 110 hours of duty in a period of 14 days.
  • Additional rest requirements to avoid cumulative fatigue as a consequence of disruptive schedules.
  • The maximum total length of standby at the airport and the Flight Duty Period will be 16 hours.
  • The rules governing the split duty will be based on defined minimum standards for accommodation and suitable accommodation.
  • “suitable accommodation” means, for the purpose of standby, split duty, and rest, a separate room for each crew member located in a quiet environment and equipped with a bed, which is sufficiently ventilated, has a device for regulating temperature and light intensity, and access to food and drink.
  • “accommodation” means, for the purpose of standby and split duty, a quiet and comfortable place not open to the public with the ability to control light and temperature, equipped with adequate furniture that provides a crew member with the possibility to sleep, with enough capacity to accommodate all crew members present at the same time and with access to food and drink.

Fatigue Risk Management requirements

  • Requirement to provide fatigue risk management training to crew members, personnel responsible for preparation and maintenance of crew rosters and management personnel concerned.
  • Appropriate fatigue risk management need to be applied to actively manage the fatiguing effect of night duties more than 10 hours in relation to the surrounding duties and rest periods.
  • Requirement to establish, implement and maintain Fatigue Risk Management as an integral part of the management system when applying:
  1. Extended values when crew members are in an unknown state of acclimatization (ORO.FTL.205(b)3)
  2. Reduced rest , minimum reduced rest periods are 12 hours at home and 10 hours out of base (CS-FTL.1.235(c)(2)

 Operator specific procedures to be specified in the Operation Manual

  • Delayed reporting, including the establishment of a notification time.
  • Unforeseen circumstances in flight operations, commander’s discretion.
  • Reserve, including an 8-hour sleep opportunity.
  • Standby procedure to ensure that the combination of standby and Flight Duty Period do not lead to more than 18 hours awake time.
  • Nutrition, including the duration of the provided meal opportunity.
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