Posting the below after seeing several inaccurate statements re USA Flight Time - Crew complement maximums.
- 3 pilots can fly up to 13 flight hours max
- 4 pilots can fly up to 17 flight hours max
More than 17 flight hours requires a special issuance approval to include programs for increased in base / out of base rest, post flight rest, etc.
Below is the actual published rules for
flight time. The
duty time limits, that is the cumulative time between work show to work end vary based on the pilot's start time.
Depending on the start time the window of allowable duty can be very small for flight times approaching 13 hours to fly with only 3 pilots. This is why many US pilots
think that 12 is the maximum for 3 pilot complement. If one is rostered for an morning westbound flight it's legal, and usual, at my airline to fly with 3 pilots. If there is
a delay we have bumped up on the duty limits and have had to cancel the segment.
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FAR 117.11 Flight time limitation.
(a) No certificate holder may schedule and no flightcrew member may accept an assignment or continue an assigned flight duty period if the total flight time:
(1) Will exceed the limits specified in Table A of this part if the operation is conducted with the minimum required flightcrew.
(2) Will exceed 13 hours if the operation is conducted with a 3-pilot flightcrew.
(3) Will exceed 17 hours if the operation is conducted with a 4-pilot flightcrew.