Cheat Sheet
Introduction
This is a high-level overview of the Canadian Aviation Regulations relating to fatigue management. Knowledge of definitions is required to understand these rules. You can click on any terms to find further information. The rules below may not apply to you, depending on the operation you work in. Your company may have additional rules that go beyond these rules. Always consult the CARs for the current rules.
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Basic Flight/Duty/Rest Rules
Maximum Flight Time
112 hours in 28 days
300 hours in 90 days
1,000 hours in 365 days
Times are always based on acclimatized time zone. Normally the acclimatized time zone is home base.
Augmented Crew Conditions:
3 or fewer flights
final landing crew member must have 2 consecutive hours rest
all crew must have minimum of 90 minutes rest
duty includes time in rest facility
additional crew can join after first flight (if first flight is less than 105 min long), all must finish together at same location
one additional crew member must be in flight deck for takeoff and landing (unless crew join after first flight)
rest can only happen above 10,000’ and 15 minutes prior to top of decent
Maximum Work Hours
Any duty or work, flying or non-flying, count towards maximum work hours.
single day free from duty
time free from duty from the beginning of the first local night’s rest until the end of the following local night’s rest
local nights rest
means a rest period of at least nine hours that takes place between 22:30 and 09:30 at the location where the flight crew member is acclimatized
Minimum Rest
HOME BASE: 12 hours or 11 plus travel time, or 10 hours in suitable accommodation (provided by operator)
AWAY FROM BASE: 10 hours in suitable accommodation
Additional Rest
When calculating additional rest, more than one situation may apply. Always use the situation that provides the greatest rest.
disruptive schedule
rest period PLUS 1 local night rest between late duty or night duty and early duty
rest period PLUS 1 local night rest between early and late duty or night duty
does not apply away from home base if time zone is more than 4 hours different
time zone 4 hour difference
11 consecutive hours in suitable accommodation
time zone >4 hours difference
14 consecutive hours in suitable accommodation
1 local night rest if away for 60 hours or less and FDP does not enter window of circadian low
2 local nights rest if away for more than 60 hours or FDP enters window of circadian low
3 consecutive FDP with any part between 0200-0559
1 local night rest at the end of the third duty period
extending FDP
rest is extended equal to extension
see Unforeseen Operational Circumstances for more detail
Reserve Rules
crews must be advised of their RAP:
12 hours in advance if no part of the RAP falls within a crew member's window of circadian low
32 hours in advance if any part of the RAP falls within a crew member's window of circadian low
24 hours notice if a RAP start time is moved into window of circadian low
an operator may change the start time of a RAP by 2 hours before and 4 hours after, but advance notice limits still apply
an operator can not change the start time of RAPs by a cumulative of 8 hours within a 168 consecutive hour period (7 days) unless a crew member is given two consecutive days free from duty within that 168 consecutive hour period
if a RAP start time is moved past 0200 a crew member must be given two consecutive days free from duty before another RAP
if RAP begins between 0200-0559 and the crew member is not contacted, the RAP can be extended by 2 hours or 50% of the time in between 0200-0559, whichever is shorter
the maximum duration of the RAP is 14 hours.
maximum FDP apply - a crew member must determine which is more restrictive when a flight duty is assigned, maximum reserve duty period or maximum FDP
maximum reserve duty period does not apply if:
Following a FDP a crew member can be placed back on RAP once FDP rest requirements have been met. The scheduled end time of the RAP does not change. The maximum reserve duty period would be based on the originally scheduled start time of the RAP.
Unforeseen Operational Circumstances
Any operational event that happens prior to the start of a FDP plus 60 minutes is not considered unforeseen. For example, if the FDP starts at 1100, any operational event (including forecasted weather) prior to 1000 is not considered unforeseen and the FDP can not be extended as a result.
If the PIC determines an unforeseen operational circumstance has occurred:
Maximum FDP may be extended for unforeseen operational circumstances by the following
If an additional unforeseen operational circumstance occurs after takeoff during the last flight that is exceeding the maximum FDP, the flight may continue to the destination or alternate airport.
If an unforeseen operational circumstance occurs after the start of the FDP, the operator may add a split flight duty if the PIC agrees and the change is made prior to the ground rest period. The PIC will not agree to a split after consulting all flight crew members if the split could lead to a level of fatigue that may adversely affect the safety of the flight. See Splits for more information.
Splits
minimum break is 60 minutes
can only be used for 3 consecutive night duty periods
times are based on acclimatized time
if a crew member was assigned split duty while on reserve the reserve duty period can only be extended by 2 hours and there shall be no more than 2 flights following break
Delayed Reports
report time can be delayed if the operator advised the crew member before leaving suitable accommodation
FDP will begin at new report time if delay is less than 4 hours
FDP will begin four hours after initial report time if delay is more than 4 but less than 10 hours
if the delay is 10 hours or more
duration of delay is considered rest
crew member advised prior to leaving suitable accommodation
the air operator will not disturb the flight crew member before a mutually agreed time
unless a specific time is agreed upon between the crew member and operator, the operator may only interrupt a crew member's rest 30 minutes prior to initial time to leave suitable accommodations or 60 minutes prior to initial report time
passive communication (email, text) that does not disturb the crew member is permitted but crew member has no obligation or communicate back or read the communication (emailing a crew member to call operators is an interruption of rest)