702 Aerial Work — Fatigue Rules
Secondary reference. This page summarises Subpart 702 (aerial work). The 703/704/705 fatigue rules — the tables, acclimatization, reserve, and so on — do not apply here (CARs 700.19(1); AC 700-047 § 4.1). 702 has its own, simpler regime in Division X, sections 702.91–702.98. The authoritative text is on Justice Laws.
Monitoring — 702.91
The air operator must have a system that monitors each flight crew member’s flight time, flight duty periods and rest periods, with the details in the company operations manual. If anyone becomes aware that an assignment would exceed the 702.92 flight-time or 702.93 flight-duty-period limits, they must tell the operator as soon as possible.
Flight time — 702.92
| Limit | Window |
|---|---|
| 1,200 hours | any 365 consecutive days |
| 300 hours | any 90 consecutive days |
| 120 hours | any 30 consecutive days — 100 hours if on call |
| 60 hours | any 7 consecutive days |
| 8 hours | any 24 consecutive hours — single-pilot IFR only |
These may be exceeded only if the extension is authorised in the air operator certificate and both parties comply with the Commercial Air Service Standards (702.92(2)). A crew member who reaches a limit can’t stay on or be reassigned to flight duty until they’ve had the 702.93 rest or 702.96 time free from duty.
Flight duty period — 702.93
- Maximum 14 consecutive hours in any 24 consecutive hours (702.93(1)).
- Split: the FDP may be extended by half the length of a rest period, up to 3 hours, if the operator gives advance notice, a rest period of at least 4 consecutive hours in suitable accommodation, and doesn’t interrupt it (702.93(3)). The following rest period is then extended by at least the amount of the extension (702.93(4)).
- A minimum rest period and any additional rest required by the Subpart follow every FDP (702.93(2)).
Unforeseen operational circumstances — 702.94
The 702.92 flight time and the 702.93 maximum FDP may be exceeded if the flight is extended by an unforeseen operational circumstance after the FDP began, the pilot-in-command (after consulting the crew) considers it safe, and both parties comply with the Commercial Air Service Standards.
Delayed reporting time — 702.95
If notified of a delay of more than three hours before leaving the rest facility, the FDP is treated as having begun three hours after the original reporting time.
Time free from duty — 702.96
- ≥ 24 consecutive hours: 13 times in any 90 days, and 3 times in any 30 days.
- On call: ≥ 36 consecutive hours in any 7 days, or ≥ 3 consecutive days in any 17 days. The operator must give notice of the start and duration.
- Alternatives to the 24-hour requirement are allowed only if authorised in the air operator certificate and both comply with the Commercial Air Service Standards.
Positioning after an FDP — 702.97
If required to travel for positioning after an FDP, the operator provides an additional rest period equal to at least half the travelling time that exceeds the maximum FDP.
Long-range flights — 702.98
- An FDP that ends more than four one-hour time zones from the point of departure (unless flown entirely within Northern Domestic Airspace) is limited to three flights, and is followed by a rest period at least equal to the FDP.
- If it includes a transoceanic flight, only one flight may follow it (excluding one unscheduled technical stop).