The US Federal Aviation Administration is to enforce more rigorously the rules on pilot flight time, duty and rest requirements, and is increasing pressure on an industry working group to update its rules.
The FAA's move follows pressure from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and from pilot groups. Its renewed focus on flight times follows the 1 June crash landing of an American Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-82 at Little Rock, Arkansas.
When the aircraft overran the runway while landing in a thunderstorm, the cockpit crew had been on duty for 13.5h - 30min below the US maximum permissible.
The NTSB says outdated rules allow fatigued pilots to put public safety at risk, and it recommends that, within two years, the FAA should establish scientifically based crew rest regulations that set limits on duty hours, provide work and rest schedules, consider the effects of time zones and determine sleep requirements.
The NTSB also wants duty time limits tailored to the type of flying the crews are doing.
Current FAA regulations impose an 8h flying time limit during a 24h period, with a minimum of 8h rest during the same period, but they do not address the amount of time that pilots can be on duty.
Four years ago, using NASA data, the FAA proposed new crew duty and rest limits, but no consensus emerged during the consultation process.
The Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee, an FAA/ industry working group, has been tasked with making recommendations.
Source: Flight International
