This was the idea of a schedule to run 5 crew 1 Cpt 2 FOs and 2 SOs. It’s one way it can be done and keep some semblance of the current flight deck duty times limits. The compliment also allows proper rest to continue in the event of a diversion. Did this a while ago and guessed the flight time but if it’s an hour shorter than below it still works fine.
Using 5 pilots on this leg is still less than the 7 they currently use now to get the QF1 from Syd to Lhr (3 Syd-Sin and 4 Sin-Lhr).
Sorry cant display the link to the post as I haven’t done 10 posts yet. So instead I need to waste more space and put it here. Apologies to anyone who has already read it. Not my policy, perhaps a moderator can delete what’s below and insert the link to post 57 on the So you need a new fleet Leigh thread:
1 Cpt 2 F/Os and 2 S/Os which would be a similar cost and in my opinion safer as much less time will be spent on the deck vs 4 pilot and it gives the ability to plan long breaks and more beneficial sleep periods much better.
Re dealing with the regulator and the pilots association. At the moment the longest planned flight deck time allowed is 8.5 hours in Qf Long Haul. Running Sunrise 4 pilot smashes that out of the park. The below keeps it reasonably close whilst still being reasonably cost effective especially vs 2 Cpts 2 F/Os.
There must always be at least one pilot with a command endorsement on the flight deck at any one time. At the moment a Cpt and F/O (Long Haul) in Qantas hold that endorsement. S/O does not. As such always need a Cpt or F/O on the flight deck.
Also one of the most challenging things about this flight will be the fatigue in the second half and maintaining concentration. The below roster would ensure that towards the end of the flight there is always one pilot who has been on the flight deck for a period longer than the other so someone is always in the “loop” rather than just having the crew both swap at the same time. Also towards the end of the flight the rest/change over periods are shorter so less risk of errors due to the fatigue of long stints at the controls involving controlled rest etc. Doing it this way ensures there is a fresh crew member is at the controls on average every 2.8 hours (with longer breaks at the start and shorter toward the end).
The last comment that I would make is for this to work everyone would need to know their role beforehand and turn up for work accordingly. More about that later.
The following assumes:
22hr flight time. 30 min taxi.
1 hr report. 0.5 hr stand down for 24 hr tour of duty. It can be pretty easily adjusted if required depending on the flight time. But in this example:
TOD 24 hrs
Off blocks 22.5hrs
Captain (obviously there for takeoff and landing) = C1
Take Off and Landing First Officer = F1
Cruise First Officer = F2
Second Officers = S1 & S2
Roster as follows:
C1 & F1
Taxi (20mins) and first 2:40hrs for total 3hrs in seat. (All times below are time in flight deck seat). Time for coffee to wear off!
C1 or F1 (most tired goes off) & S1
4hrs
F2 & S1
3.5hrs
F2 & S2
3.5hrs
C1 or F1 who went on break first & S2
3.5hrs
C1 or F1 who went on break first & S1
0.5hrs
F2 & S1
1hr
F2 & S2
1-1.5hrs (F2) 1.5hrs (S2)
C1 & F1 One comes back before the other so both not swapping together at their discretion.
2-2.5hrs (C1) 2-2.5hrs (F1) including 10 minute taxi.
Total time in seat:
C1 9-9.5hrs
F1 9-9.5hrs
F2 9-9.5hrs
S1 9hrs
S2 8.5hrs
Longest break in order to get a normal sleep period:
C1: 11hrs or 13hrs depending on 1st or 2nd break taken.
F1: 11hrs or 13hrs depending on 1st or 2nd break taken.
F2: 7 hours at start. 4 hours in middle. More broken as not doing takeoff or landing. Doesn’t drink coffee before flight and knows to turn up to work ready to sleep.
S1: 7 hrs.
S2: 10.5 hrs. Also doesn’t drink coffee before the flight and know to turn up to work ready to sleep.
Total time off each approx at least 13 hrs.
For this to work the roles would need to be designated before the flight with a schedule written similar to what other ULR operators do. The Captain and FO should figure out before the flight who wants to go off first so they know how tired to be at the beginning of the duty. That way everyone knows how to plan their rest.
This is the only way I can see which Sunrise can be crewed. 4 pilot just has everyone in the seat too long with too many broken breaks especially with 1 Cpt 1 F/O and 2 S/Os. 5 crew is complicated but not impossible. Easy spreadsheet app for the iPad and could be adapted slightly on the day depending on flight and departure times. It ensures that all the crew have had someone else on duty for a period when they get on duty so someone is always in the loop and the take off and landing pilots both have a big stretch off to get a proper sleep like in a normal 24 hour period. Hopefully this would satisfy the regulator and the AIPA. Also in the event of a medical diversion there is better opportunities to extend and get still have adequate rest.
Lastly yes this would add slightly more weight needing 3 crew rest areas but as the holds will not have much more than pax bags in them there will be plenty of space considering the size of the jet so perhaps creative use of this space for a crew rest area which doesn’t add much more weight than a 2 crew rest could be devised.