This chapter explains how an airline operation is run safely and legally — who may sit where, what paperwork must fly with you, how much fuel and oxygen you must carry, what survival gear is mandatory, and how long a crew may legally work before fatigue makes them unsafe. Every number here is examinable: learn the exact figures.
ICAO Annex 6 is titled "Operation of Aircraft". It contains the international Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) that tell operators how aircraft must be flown safely. It is split into three Parts, and each Part became applicable on a different date.
Think "1-6-9 / 8-6" — General Aviation Part came in '69, Helicopters in '86. Part I (the big airline part) is the original core. Helicopters were added last because the rules for them matured later.
graph TD
A["ICAO ANNEX 6
Operation of Aircraft"] --> B["PART I
International Commercial
Air Transport — Aeroplanes"]
A --> C["PART II
International General
Aviation — Aeroplanes
(applicable Sep 1969)"]
A --> D["PART III
International Operations —
Helicopters
(applicable Nov 1986)"]
style A fill:#0d2a4a,color:#fff,stroke:#0d2a4a
style B fill:#e8f1fb,stroke:#1f5fa8,color:#0d2a4a
style C fill:#e9f6ec,stroke:#1e7d34,color:#0d2a4a
style D fill:#fdf3e0,stroke:#b9791a,color:#0d2a4a
Every operator must run a structured, self-checking organisation rather than relying on chance.
An operator shall establish one quality system and designate one quality manager to monitor compliance with — and the adequacy of — procedures required to ensure safe operational practices and airworthy aeroplanes.
Compliance monitoring must include a feed-back system to the accountable manager to ensure corrective action is taken as necessary.
"One system, one manager, one feedback loop." The quality manager watches the operation; the accountable manager has the authority and money to fix what the quality manager finds. Without the feedback loop, problems would never reach the person who can correct them.
People must not be carried in unsafe parts of the aircraft.
An operator shall take all reasonable measures to ensure that no person is in any part of an aeroplane in flight which is not designed for the accommodation of persons, unless temporary access has been granted by the commander to any part of the aeroplane in the following cases:
The flight deck is a restricted area. Only specific categories of person may be admitted.
An operator must ensure that no person, other than a flight crew member assigned to a flight, is admitted to or carried in the flight deck unless that person is:
The final decision regarding admission to the flight deck shall be the responsibility of the commander.
An operator shall take all reasonable measures to ensure that no person secretes himself, or secretes cargo, on board an aeroplane (i.e. stowaways and hidden/undeclared cargo are prohibited).
An operator shall not permit any person to use, and shall take all reasonable measures to ensure that no person does use, on board an aeroplane, a portable electronic device that can adversely affect the performance of the aeroplane's systems and equipment.
The rule does not ban every device outright — it bans devices that can adversely affect aircraft systems. The concern is electromagnetic interference with navigation and communication equipment, especially during critical phases of flight.
No person in charge of any aircraft shall allow that aircraft to be flown unless the following valid documents — as applicable — are carried on board, in original or attested copies.
Checklists for the take-off, cruise and landing phases shall be displayed in the cockpit, unless the lists form a part of the Flight Manual carried on board.
All operators of passenger aircraft shall provide a passenger safety information briefing card at every passenger seat location. Such a card shall make use of symbology to convey the instructions in a clear and concise manner.
Two favourite exam traps: (1) the dangerous goods list must be personally shown to the PIC before flight — not merely carried; (2) the Flight Manual is carried by all aircraft only if the C of A states so — the C of A determines the requirement.
So that an investigation is always possible, key flight information must be safely preserved off the aircraft.
An operator shall ensure that — at least for the duration of each flight or series of flights:
The aircraft can be lost — so a ground copy must exist. Until that ground copy is safely duplicated at the storage location, you must keep a protected copy. If keeping a ground copy is genuinely impracticable, the on-board copy must be inside a fireproof container so it can survive an accident.
An operator shall ensure that any person authorised by the Authority is permitted at any time to board and fly in any aeroplane operated under an AOC issued by that Authority, and to enter and remain on the flight deck.
The commander may refuse access to the flight deck if, in his opinion, the safety of the aeroplane would thereby be endangered. Safety always outranks the inspection right.
Before an airline may sell tickets, it must prove to the State that it is capable of operating safely. That proof is the Air Operator Certificate.
A Permit / Certificate authorising an operator to carry out specified commercial air transport operations.
The State in which the operator's principal place of business is located or, if there is no such place of business, the operator's permanent residence.
Contracting States shall recognise as valid an AOC issued by another Contracting State, provided that the requirements under which the certificate was issued are at least equal to the applicable Standards specified in Annex 6.
The issuance of an AOC is dependent upon the operator demonstrating to the State that the following are adequate for the nature and extent of operations to be conducted:
The certification process involves the State's evaluation of each operator and a determination that the operator is capable of conducting safe operations before initial issue of an AOC, or before the addition of any subsequent authorizations to an AOC.
The validity of an AOC shall depend upon the operator maintaining the original certification standards under the supervision of the State of the Operator. This supervision requires that a system of continued surveillance be established to ensure the required standards of operations are maintained.
graph LR
A["Operator applies"] --> B["Demonstrate adequacy:
Organisation • Training •
Flight Ops • Ground Handling •
Maintenance"]
B --> C["State evaluates &
determines capability
for safe operations"]
C --> D["AOC ISSUED"]
D --> E["Operator maintains
original standards"]
E --> F["State conducts
continued surveillance"]
F --> G["AOC remains VALID"]
style A fill:#e8f1fb,stroke:#1f5fa8,color:#0d2a4a
style D fill:#1e7d34,color:#fff,stroke:#1e7d34
style G fill:#0d2a4a,color:#fff,stroke:#0d2a4a
style B fill:#fdf3e0,stroke:#b9791a,color:#0d2a4a
style F fill:#fdecec,stroke:#c0392b,color:#0d2a4a
When an aerodrome's normal minima are made stricter, "additives" are applied to the published Normal AOM.
Restricted Aerodrome Operating Minima shall be based on additives applied to the Normal AOM as below:
Restricted AOM = Normal AOM DA(H)/MDA(H) + 100 ft AND Normal AOM Visibility/RVR + 400 m
"One hundred up, four hundred out." Add 100 ft to the decision/minimum descent height and 400 m to the required visibility/RVR. Both additives apply together.
The PIC shall not commence an instrument approach if the reported RVR/Visibility is below the applicable minimum.
If, after commencing an instrument approach, the reported RVR/Visibility falls below the applicable minimum, the approach shall not be continued:
Where RVR is not available, RVR values may be derived by converting the reported visibility.
If, after entering the final approach segment or descending below 1 000 ft above aerodrome elevation, the reported RVR/visibility falls below the applicable minimum — the approach may be continued to DA/H or MDA/H.
The approach may be continued below DA/H or MDA/H, and the landing may be completed, provided that the required visual reference is established at the DA/H or MDA/H and is maintained.
graph TD
A["Reported RVR/Vis
BELOW minimum?"] -->|"Yes — before
commencing"| B["DO NOT commence
the approach"]
A -->|"No"| C["Commence approach"]
C --> D{"RVR/Vis drops below
minimum during approach"}
D -->|"Before 1000 ft AGL
OR before FAS"| E["Approach must
NOT be continued"]
D -->|"After entering FAS or
below 1000 ft AGL"| F["May continue to
DA/H or MDA/H"]
F --> G{"Required visual
reference at DA/H-MDA/H?"}
G -->|"Established & maintained"| H["May continue below
minima & LAND"]
G -->|"Not established"| I["Go-around /
Missed approach"]
style B fill:#fdecec,stroke:#c0392b,color:#0d2a4a
style E fill:#fdecec,stroke:#c0392b,color:#0d2a4a
style I fill:#fdecec,stroke:#c0392b,color:#0d2a4a
style H fill:#1e7d34,color:#fff,stroke:#1e7d34
style F fill:#e9f6ec,stroke:#1e7d34,color:#0d2a4a
The touch-down zone (TDZ) RVR is always controlling. If reported and relevant, the mid-point and stop-end RVR are also controlling.
| Runway Segment | Minimum RVR Value | Special Case |
|---|---|---|
| Touch-down zone (TDZ) | Always controlling | The primary reference |
| Mid-point | 125 m | ...or the RVR required for the TDZ if that is less. With a stop-end (roll-out) guidance or control system, the mid-point minimum is 50 m. |
| Stop-end | 50 m | Controlling when reported and relevant |
In this context, "relevant" means that part of the runway used during the high-speed phase of the landing down to a speed of approximately 60 knots.
Filed minima 300 m; TDZ RVR 400 m; mid-point RVR 100 m; stop-end RVR 300 m. The mid-point reads only 100 m, which is below the 125 m minimum — so the runway is below minima. A single segment failing the minimum makes the whole runway unusable.
An operator is to ensure that VFR flights are conducted in accordance with the Visual Flight Rules and in VMC. Special VFR flights are NOT permitted for commercial air transport aeroplanes.
An operator shall not operate an aeroplane in which fuses are used unless spare fuses are available for use in flight equal to at least 10% of the number of fuses of each rating, OR three of each rating — whichever is the greater.
"10% or 3 — take the bigger." If 10% of a rating works out to less than 3, you must still carry 3 of that rating.
An operator shall not operate an aeroplane with a maximum certificated take-off mass of more than 5,700 kg unless it is equipped at each pilot station with a windshield wiper or equivalent means to maintain a clear portion of the windshield during precipitation.
Pressurised aeroplanes carrying passengers should be equipped with operative weather radar whenever such aeroplanes are operated in areas where thunderstorms or other potentially hazardous weather conditions — regarded as detectable with airborne weather radar — may be expected to exist along the route, either at night or under Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC).
All aeroplanes shall be equipped with a data source that provides pressure altitude information with a resolution of 7.62 m (25 ft) or better.
All flight crew members required to be on flight deck duty shall communicate through boom or throat microphones below the transition level / altitude.
All turbo-jet aeroplanes of a maximum certificated take-off mass in excess of 5,700 kg, OR authorized to carry more than 9 passengers, should be equipped with:
All turbine-engined aeroplanes of a maximum certificated take-off mass in excess of 5,700 kg, OR authorized to carry more than 19 passengers, shall be equipped with an Airborne Collision Avoidance System (ACAS II).
Both thresholds use 5,700 kg — but the passenger figure differs. Wind shear/GPWS = turbo-jet, >9 pax. ACAS II = turbine-engined, >19 pax. Remember: collision avoidance needs more seats (19) before it bites.
All passenger-carrying aeroplanes of a maximum certificated take-off mass in excess of 45,500 kg, OR with a passenger seating capacity greater than 60, shall be equipped with an approved flight crew compartment door that is designed to:
This door shall be capable of being locked and unlocked from either pilot's station.
First-aid kits are carried for use by cabin crew in managing incidents of ill health. The number required scales with passengers carried.
| Passengers | First Aid Kits |
|---|---|
| 0 – 100 | 1 |
| 101 – 199 | 2 |
| 200 – 299 | 3 |
| 300 or more | 4 |
An aircraft carrying 250 passengers falls in the 200–299 band — answer is 3 kits. Watch the band boundaries carefully.
Universal Precaution Kit: For aeroplanes required to carry cabin crew as part of the operating crew — one universal precaution kit (two for aeroplanes authorized to carry more than 250 passengers) for use by cabin crew in managing incidents of ill health associated with a suspected communicable disease, or illness involving contact with body fluids.
Medical Kit: For aeroplanes authorized to carry more than 100 passengers, on a sector length of more than 2 hours — a medical kit for use by medical doctors or other qualified persons in treating in-flight medical emergencies.
Flight recorders capture what the aircraft and crew did. They fall into two families — crash-protected recorders (heavy, survivable) and lightweight recorders.
Comprise one or more of the following systems:
Image and data link information may be recorded on either the CVR or the FDR.
Comprise one or more of the following systems:
Image and data link information may be recorded on either the CARS or the ADRS.
All aeroplanes of a maximum certificated take-off mass of over 15,000 kg, which are required to be equipped with both a CVR and an FDR, shall be equipped with two combination recorders (FDR/CVR).
One recorder shall be located as close to the cockpit as practicable, and the other recorder located as far aft as practicable.
Putting one recorder forward and one aft maximises the chance that at least one survives an accident — a fire or impact that destroys one location may spare the other.
| Recorder | Minimum Retention | Applicability |
|---|---|---|
| FDR (all) | Last 25 hours | All FDRs |
| CVR & Data Link Recorders | Last 2 hours | General requirement |
| CVRs / CARS | Last 2 hours | All CVRs/CARS retain at least last 2 hours |
| CVR (large new aircraft) | Last 25 hours | Aeroplanes of MCTOM over 27,000 kg for which the individual C of A is first issued on or after 1 January 2022 |
The CVR or a Cockpit Audio Recording System (CARS) shall start recording before the aircraft moves under its own power, and shall continuously record until the aircraft is no longer capable of moving under its own power.
CVR/CARS shall NOT use magnetic tape or wire for recording.
FDR = 25 h. Standard CVR & data link = 2 h. But a new CVR on a heavy aircraft (>27,000 kg, C of A on/after 1 Jan 2022) = 25 h. A common question pairs "FDR 25, CVR 2, data link 2" — that is the correct combination.
As an aeroplane climbs, the air thins. Oxygen rules are written around absolute pressure values, which correspond to standard-atmosphere altitudes.
| Absolute Pressure | Metres | Feet |
|---|---|---|
| 700 hPa | 3 000 m | 10 000 ft |
| 620 hPa | 4 000 m | 13 000 ft |
| 376 hPa | 7 600 m | 25 000 ft |
A flight to be operated at a flight altitude at which the atmospheric pressure in personnel compartments will be less than 700 hPa shall not be commenced unless sufficient stored breathing oxygen is carried to supply:
A flight to be operated with a pressurised aeroplane shall not be commenced unless a sufficient quantity of stored breathing oxygen is carried to supply all crew members and passengers — as appropriate to the circumstances of the flight — in the event of loss of pressurisation, for any period that the atmospheric pressure in any compartment occupied by them would be less than 700 hPa.
In addition, when an aeroplane is operated at flight altitudes at which the atmospheric pressure is less than 376 hPa — OR which, if operated at altitudes where the pressure is more than 376 hPa, cannot descend safely within 4 minutes to a flight altitude where the atmospheric pressure equals 620 hPa — there shall be no less than a 10-minute supply for the occupants of the passenger compartment.
Pressurised aeroplanes intended to be operated at flight altitudes where the atmospheric pressure would be less than 376 hPa shall be equipped with a device to provide positive warning to the flight crew of any dangerous loss of pressurisation.
An operator shall not operate a pressurised aeroplane, OR an unpressurised aeroplane with a MCTOM exceeding 5,700 kg or having a maximum approved seating configuration of more than 19 seats, unless:
PBE protects the "three openings" — eyes, nose, mouth — for at least 15 minutes. The 15-minute figure applies to both flight crew and cabin crew PBE.
Portable fire extinguishers provided shall be of a type which, when discharged, will not cause dangerous contamination of the air within the aeroplane. At least one shall be located in:
Any portable fire extinguisher fitted in accordance with the Certificate of Airworthiness of the aeroplane may count as one prescribed.
An operator shall not operate an aeroplane with a MCTOM exceeding 5,700 kg, OR having a maximum approved passenger seating configuration of more than 9 seats, unless it is equipped with at least one crash axe or crowbar located on the flight deck.
If the maximum approved passenger seating configuration is more than 200, an additional crash axe or crowbar must be carried and located in or near the most rearward galley area.
Areas of the fuselage suitable for break-in by rescue crews in an emergency are marked on an aeroplane. The colour of the markings shall be red or yellow, and if necessary they shall be outlined in white to contrast with the background.
An operator shall, for each type of aeroplane, assign to all flight crew members the necessary functions they are to perform in an emergency or in a situation requiring emergency evacuation. Annual training in accomplishing these functions shall be contained in the operator's training programme and shall include instruction in the use of all emergency and lifesaving equipment required to be carried, and drills in the emergency evacuation of the aeroplane.
An operator shall not operate an aeroplane with a maximum approved passenger seating configuration of more than 60 and carrying one or more passengers, unless it is equipped with portable battery-powered megaphones readily accessible for use by crew members during an emergency evacuation, to the following scales:
| Passenger Seating Configuration | Number of Megaphones Required |
|---|---|
| 61 to 99 | 1 |
| 100 or more | 2 |
An operator shall not operate a passenger-carrying aeroplane which has a maximum approved passenger seating configuration of more than 9 unless it is provided with an emergency lighting system having an independent power supply to facilitate the evacuation of the aeroplane.
All aeroplanes shall carry an automatic ELT.
All aeroplanes authorized to carry more than 19 passengers shall be equipped with at least two ELTs, one of which shall be automatic.
An operator shall ensure that passengers are made familiar with the location and use of:
On over-water flights, an operator shall not operate an aeroplane at a distance away from land suitable for making an emergency landing without sufficient life-rafts to carry all persons on board.
Unless excess rafts of enough capacity are provided, the buoyancy and seating capacity beyond the rated capacity of the rafts must accommodate all occupants of the aeroplane in the event of a loss of one raft of the largest rated capacity. The life-rafts shall be equipped with:
Operators shall at all times have available for immediate communication to rescue coordination centres lists containing information on the emergency and survival equipment carried on board any of their aeroplanes engaged in international air navigation. The information shall include, as applicable:
An aeroplane shall be provided with radio communication equipment capable of:
The radio communication equipment shall provide for communications on the aeronautical emergency frequency 121.5 MHz.
For flights in defined portions of airspace, or on routes where an RCP (Required Communication Performance) type has been prescribed, an aeroplane shall:
An aeroplane shall be provided with navigation equipment which will enable it to proceed:
For operations where a navigation specification for PBN (Performance-Based Navigation) has been prescribed, an aeroplane shall:
The airspace formerly known as the "North Atlantic Minimum Navigational Specifications Airspace" (MNPSA) — FL285–420 inclusive — is re-designated as the "North Atlantic High Level Airspace" (NAT HLA). The re-designation from MNPS to HLA is in keeping with the transition from capability-based navigation (MNPS) to Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) in this segment of the NAT airspace.
An aeroplane operated across land areas designated by AAI as areas in which search and rescue would be especially difficult shall be equipped with at least one survival radio equipment, stowed so as to facilitate its ready use in an emergency, which:
The aeroplane shall also be equipped with such signaling devices and life-saving equipment (including means of sustaining life) as may be appropriate to the area overflown.
An operator shall not operate an aeroplane under IFR unless it is equipped with an audio selector panel accessible to each required flight crew member.
For all aeroplanes (except helicopters), fuel planning is built up from defined "blocks". You must understand each block and the exact rules attached to it.
The amount of usable fuel carried shall, as a minimum, be based on:
The amount of fuel expected to be consumed before take-off, taking into account local conditions at the departure aerodrome and APU fuel consumption.
The amount of fuel required to enable the aeroplane to fly from take-off (or the point of in-flight re-planning) until landing at the destination aerodrome, taking into account the operating conditions.
The amount of fuel required to compensate for unforeseen factors. It shall be 5% of the planned trip fuel (or of the fuel required from the point of in-flight re-planning, based on the consumption rate used to plan the trip fuel) — but in no case shall it be lower than the amount required to fly for 5 minutes at holding speed at 450 m (1 500 ft) above the destination aerodrome in standard conditions.
"Unforeseen factors" are those which could influence fuel consumption to the destination — deviations of an individual aeroplane from expected fuel data, deviations from forecast weather, extended delays, and deviations from planned routings and/or cruising levels.
1) Where a destination alternate aerodrome is required — the amount of fuel required to enable the aeroplane to:
2) Where two destination alternate aerodromes are required — the amount of fuel required to enable the aeroplane to proceed to the destination alternate aerodrome which requires the greater amount of alternate fuel.
3) Where a flight is operated without a destination alternate aerodrome — the amount of fuel required to fly for 15 minutes at holding speed at 450 m (1 500 ft) above destination aerodrome elevation in standard conditions.
4) Where the aerodrome of intended landing is an isolated aerodrome:
The amount of fuel calculated using the estimated mass on arrival at the destination alternate aerodrome (or the destination aerodrome when no destination alternate is required):
The supplementary amount of fuel required if the minimum fuel calculated is not sufficient to:
It must also allow an aeroplane engaged in EDTO to comply with the EDTO critical fuel scenario as established by the State of the Operator, and meet additional requirements not covered above.
Any operation by an aeroplane with two or more turbine engines where the diversion time to an en-route alternate aerodrome is greater than the threshold time established by the State of the Operator.
The extra amount of fuel to be carried at the discretion of the pilot-in-command.
graph TD
A["TAXI FUEL
before take-off + APU"] --> B["TRIP FUEL
take-off to destination"]
B --> C["CONTINGENCY FUEL
5% of trip fuel — min 5 min
holding at 1500 ft"]
C --> D["DESTINATION ALTERNATE FUEL
missed approach + climb + cruise
+ descent + approach & land"]
D --> E["FINAL RESERVE FUEL
Turbine: 30 min holding at 1500 ft
Recip: 45 min"]
E --> F["ADDITIONAL FUEL
engine-out / depressurisation
+ EDTO critical scenario"]
F --> G["DISCRETIONARY FUEL
extra — PIC's discretion"]
style A fill:#e8f1fb,stroke:#1f5fa8,color:#0d2a4a
style C fill:#fdecec,stroke:#c0392b,color:#0d2a4a
style E fill:#fdecec,stroke:#c0392b,color:#0d2a4a
style G fill:#1e7d34,color:#fff,stroke:#1e7d34
Contingency = 5% of trip fuel (floor: 5 min holding). Final reserve — turbine 30 min, recip 45 min. No-alternate destination fuel = 15 min holding. Holding height in every case = 450 m / 1 500 ft.
Fatigue is a flight-safety hazard. FDTL rules set the maximum a crew may legally work and the minimum rest they must receive. Every figure below is examinable.
Civil Aviation Requirement Section 7 — Flight Crew Standards, Training and Licensing, Series J (in three parts) prescribes the maximum limits of Flight Time, Flight Duty Period, Duty Period and the minimum Rest Period applicable to all flight crew and cabin crew of Scheduled, Non-Scheduled, General Aviation and Scheduled Commuter Air Transport Services.
The figures that follow are highlights of CAR Series J, Part III, Issue III, Rev 2, dated 26 Mar 2024, for flight crew engaged in Scheduled Air Transport Operations. For other operations, refer to Series J Parts I, II and IV.
Crew who perform duties in the interest of the safety of passengers, and duties assigned by the operator and the pilot-in-command — but who shall not act as a flight crew member.
A licensed crew member charged with duties essential to the operation of an aircraft during a flight duty period.
Operators permitted to operate aircraft weighing up to 40,000 kg. They are permitted to operate commercial flights between two or more local destinations, except the Category I cities, which include: Mumbai Int'l, Kolkata Int'l, Delhi Int'l, Bangalore Int'l, Hyderabad Int'l, Thiruvananthapuram and Chennai.
A state in which a crew member's circadian biological clock is synchronised to the time zone where the crew member is. A crew member is considered acclimatized to a 3-hour-wide time zone surrounding the local time at the point of departure. When the local time at the place where a flight duty commences differs by more than 3 hours from the local time where the next duty starts, the crew member — for calculating the maximum daily FDP — is considered acclimatized to the departure time zone for the first 48 hours. After 48 hours, the crew member is considered acclimatized to the local time where they start the next duty.
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 providing a crew member with the possibility to sleep, with enough capacity to accommodate all crew members present, and with access to food and drink.
For the purpose of standby, split duty and rest — a separate room for each crew member located in a quiet environment, equipped with a bed, sufficiently ventilated, with a device for regulating temperature and light intensity, and with access to food and drink.
A flight crew which comprises more than the minimum number required to operate the aircraft, allowing each flight crew member to leave the assigned post for the purpose of in-flight rest and to be replaced by another flight crew member of equal or higher qualification.
Any task that flight crew members are required by the operator to perform — including flight duty, administrative work, training, positioning and standby when it is likely to induce fatigue.
A period which starts when a flight crew member is required by an operator to report for, or to commence, a duty and ends when that person is free from all duties.
A period intended to cover a continuous period of duty that always includes a flight or series of flights. It commences when a flight crew member is required to report for duty and finishes at engine(s) off at the end of the last flight on which he/she is a flight crew member.
The total time from the moment an aeroplane first moves for the purpose of taking off until the moment it finally comes to rest at the end of the flight. Note: "Flight time" is synonymous with "block-to-block" or "chocks-to-chocks" time.
When a crew member is required to report for a duty in advance of the stipulated reporting time, for a scheduled flight or series of flights, to carry out a duty at the behest of the operator — the time spent on that duty shall be part of the subsequent FDP.
A physiological state of reduced mental or physical performance capability resulting from sleep loss or extended wakefulness, circadian phase, or workload, that can impair a crew member's alertness and ability to safely operate an aircraft or perform safety-related duties.
The location nominated by the operator, having a high degree of permanence, from which the crew member normally starts and ends a flight duty or a series of flight duty periods.
The place of posting by the operator where the crew operates and starts a series of Duty Cycles, and which is not the same as Home Base.
A 24-hour period commencing at 00:00 local time.
A period of 8 hours falling between 2200 hours and 0800 hours local time.
Any Duty Period encroaching upon any portion of the time period between 0000 hrs and 0600 hrs in the time zone to which the crew is acclimatized.
A crew member carrying out duties in an aircraft during a sector.
The transferring of a non-operating flight crew member from place to place at the behest of the operator. Note: "Positioning" is synonymous with "Deadheading".
The time at which a flight crew member is required by an operator to report for duty.
A continuous, uninterrupted and defined period of time, subsequent to or prior to duty, during which a flight crew member is free from all duties, standby and reserve.
A bunk or seat with leg and foot support suitable for crew members' sleeping on board an aircraft.
A list provided by an operator of the times when a flight crew member is required to undertake duties. Note: "Roster" is synonymous with "Schedule", "Line of Time", "Pattern" and "Rotation".
A defined period of time during which a flight crew member is required by the operator to be available to receive an assignment for a specific duty without an intervening rest period.
The segment of a Flight Duty Period between an aircraft first moving for the purpose of taking off until it comes to rest after landing on the designated parking position.
A defined region of the earth with a uniform local time which differs by one hour, or part of one hour, from the uniform local time of an adjoining region — irrespective of season.
Flights for the purpose of Base Training, Familiarization, and Conducting Aircraft Training and Checks (Skill Test / IR / PPC).
An unplanned event — such as unforeseen weather, natural calamity, medical emergency, national requirement for relief and rescue operations (mission oriented), equipment malfunction, runway closure, passenger or aircraft security, etc. — that is beyond the control of the operator.
Continuous non-stop flights between a specific city pair, involving any sector having a flight time of over 14 hours — and flight duty periods of up to 22 hours — at any time during a calendar year, taking into account the mean and seasonal wind changes. ULR operations apply to both sectors of a city pair.
A period of time within a flight duty time which is given to a crew member to rest before recommencing duty.
A period between 0200h and 0600h in the time zone to which a crew member is acclimatized. This window is calculated from scientific data on the circadian low of performance, alertness (peak fatigue) and body temperature.
The maximum flight time and maximum flight duty period during any 24 hours for a two-pilot crew:
| Maximum Flight Time | Maximum Flight Duty Period (Hours) | Maximum Number of Landings |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Hrs | 11:00 | 6 |
| 11:30 | 5 | |
| 12:00 | 4 | |
| 12:30 | 3 | |
| 9 Hrs | 13:00 | 2 |
| 10 Hrs | 13:00 | 1 |
| For Operations Encroaching Upon Night | ||
| 8 Hrs | 10:00 | 2 |
For a 2-crew international scheduled flight, the basic entry is FDP 11:00 hrs, Flight Time 8 hrs, 6 landings. As you trade FDP for more flying, landings drop — more flying hours allowed means fewer landings permitted. Operations encroaching on night are stricter: FDP capped at 10:00 hrs with only 2 landings.
An augmented crew carries extra pilots so each can take in-flight rest. This permits longer limits:
| Crew | Max Flight Time | Max FDP — Bunk | Max FDP — Isolated Rest Seat | Max FDP — Basic Rest Seat | Max Landings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Crew Operations | 12 Hrs | 16 Hrs | 15 Hrs | 14 Hrs | 2 |
| 4 Crew Operations | 14 Hrs | 18 Hrs | 16 Hrs | NA | 1 |
| Above 14 hrs (ULR) — 4 Crew Operations | 17 Hrs | 21 Hrs | NA | NA | 1 |
Better rest facility = longer FDP allowed. A Bunk (lie-flat) always permits the highest FDP; an Isolated Rest Seat is next; a Basic Rest Seat the least — and is not available (NA) for 4-crew or ULR operations.
| Period | Maximum Flight Time (Hours) | Maximum Cumulative Duty Period |
|---|---|---|
| In 7 consecutive days | 35 | 60 |
| In 14 consecutive days | 65 | 100 |
| In 28 consecutive days | 100 | 190 |
| In 90 consecutive days | 300 | 600 |
| In 365 consecutive days | 1000 | 1800 |
Flight Time: 7 days → 35 h, 28 days → 100 h, 90 days → 300 h, 365 days → 1000 h. A pilot can fly 100 hrs in 28 consecutive days and 1000 hrs in 365 consecutive days — both are classic MCQ answers.
"Flight Time", "Flight Duty Period", "Landing" and "Consecutive Night" may be extended due to unforeseen operational circumstances as follows:
The PIC, in consultation with the other flight crew members, will convey their willingness or consent to the Head of Operations for operating the flight. The Head of Operations will submit a quarterly report to the DGCA on all extensions granted. Cumulative Flight Time and Duty Time Limitations can be increased — as per (a) and (b) above — for the 7, 14, 28 and 90 consecutive-day maximums specified.
Records shall be kept for 18 months of the duties performed and the rest periods provided, so as to facilitate inspection by the operator's authorized personnel and surveillance/audit by DGCA officers. The records may be made available to flight crew on request.
Attempt each question before checking the answer key. These are the exact questions from the chapter — use them to confirm you have retained the regulatory numbers.
1. Flight Duty Period and Flight Time Limit for a 2-crew international scheduled flight is ______ hrs, ______ hrs and ______ landings.
2. Route guides are required to be carried in
3. The duty time of the trainee pilot:
4. A pilot can fly in 28 consecutive days
5. Flight Manual is to be carried by
6. A pvt. aircraft from Chennai to Colombo is required to carry on board.
7. The maximum duty time limit per day extension for a scheduled flight is
8. Max flying hours for a flight crew in 90 consecutive days is:
9. With regard to flight time limitations, "flight time" means:
10. The maximum permitted flight time for flight crew is:
11. A flight to be operated with a pressurized aeroplane will not be commenced unless a sufficient quantity of stored breathing oxygen is carried to supply:
12. Emergency and cockpit check list is to be carried by
13. Number of first aid kits to be carried on board an aircraft carrying 250 passengers is:
14. No person, other than a flight crew member assigned to a flight, is admitted to, or carried in, the flight deck unless that person is:
15. Low Visibility Procedures (LVP) are applied at an aerodrome for the purpose of ensuring safe operations during
16. For an unplanned event, such as unforecast weather, equipment malfunction, or air traffic delay that is beyond the control of the operator, 'Flight Time' and 'Flight Duty Period' for scheduled operations may be extended as follows:
17. Minimum trip fuel required shall be the amount of fuel required to enable the aeroplane to fly from take-off or the point of in-flight re-planning,
18. Scheduled operators may be authorized LVTO minima of up to:
19. If, after commencing an instrument approach, the reported RVR/Visibility falls below the applicable minimum, the approach shall not be continued:
20. All FDRs shall be capable of retaining the information recorded during at least the last ____ hours of their operation. CVRs at least ____ hrs and Data link recorders shall be capable of retaining the information recorded during at least the last ____ hours of their operation.
21. Filed minima is 300 m. Touch down zone RVR is 400 m. Relevant mid-point RVR is 100 m and stop-end RVR 300 m. The runway is:
22. CARS is a:
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | A | A | B | A | C | B | B | A | C | C | A | C | B |
| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B | C | A | C | C | B | A | A |
Q1 (A): Basic 2-crew FDP entry — 11 hrs FDP, 8 hrs FT, 6 landings. Q7 / Q16 (C): Unforeseen circumstances allow FT +1 hr, FDP +2 hrs. Q13 (C): 250 pax sits in the 200–299 band → 3 kits. Q20 (B): FDR 25 h, CVR 2 h, data link 2 h. Q21 (A): mid-point 100 m is below the 125 m minimum → runway below minima. Q22 (A): CARS = Cockpit Audio Recording System, a lightweight recorder.