The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India has introduced revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms for flight crew members, aiming to enhance aviation safety by addressing pilot fatigue concerns. Let’s delve into the key updates and their implications.
Regulatory Changes
Under the revised norms, flight crew members are now entitled to a weekly rest period of 48 hours, a significant increase from the previous requirement of 36 hours. Additionally, night duty hours have been extended, and the number of night landings has been capped at two, compared to the earlier limit of six.
Data-Driven Approach
The DGCA adopted a data-driven approach to formulate these regulations, analyzing pilot rosters and fatigue reports submitted by airline operators. This meticulous study identified various factors contributing to fatigue, including maximum flight duty periods, night duty hours, and weekly rest periods.
Stakeholder Engagement
The formulation of the revised FDTL regulations involved extensive consultation with stakeholders, including airline operators, pilot associations, and individuals. Feedback from these entities, combined with insights from global aviation regulators such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the US and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), informed the regulatory amendments.
Key Amendments
One of the notable changes is the expansion of the definition of ‘night’ to include the period from 0000 to 0600 hours, providing flight crew members with adequate rest during the early morning hours. This adjustment aligns with the Window of Circadian Low (WOCL) from 0200 to 0600 hours, optimizing alertness levels during night operations.
Tailored Regulations
Recognizing the diverse nature of flight operations across different time zones, the revised regulations tailor maximum flight time and flight duty period restrictions for operations encroaching night hours. For such operations, flight time is limited to eight hours, while the flight duty period is capped at 10 hours, ensuring optimal safety standards.
Flight Safety Enhancement
By limiting the number of night landings to two, the updated regulations bolster flight safety during nocturnal operations. This measure aims to mitigate fatigue-related risks and enhance overall safety outcomes in the aviation sector.
Compliance Deadline
Airlines are required to adhere to the revised FDTL norms by June 1, ensuring a smooth transition to the new regulatory framework and bolstering safety protocols across the aviation industry.
