This is another way out... to save face and give to justify the pilot rest in J class...
A recent article...
India's Civil Aviation Authority Drafts Rules To Allow Pilots Short Nap On Long Flights
Don't be surprised if you find out your pilot is sleeping in the cockpit on a long flight in India!
Rules have now been framed to allow pilots to take a power nap to fight fatigue under stringent conditions, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.
Taking cue from global best practices, official sources said Indian aviation regulator Directorate General Civil Aviation (DGCA) has drafted rules to allow a pilot take a short nap on the flight deck while the other pilot takes full control of the aircraft on a long-distance flight.
The rules were framed after several pilots' unions sought changes in the Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) provisions on adequate rest to mitigate fatigue so pilots can remain alert and perform aircraft operations according to safety norms.
Many countries already have rules to allow controlled rest or CR for pilots while in cockpit seats. This is among measures that form part of the International Civil Aviation Organisation's fatigue risk management systems.
Global aviation regulators started allowing controlled rest after a 1992 NASA study concluded that a pilot would be more alert for the approach phase of a flight if he or she rested 45 minutes or less during the pre-descent part of the flight.
The draft DGCA rules make it mandatory for CR to be allowed only on a flight lasting three hours or more and would commence after the aircraft has completed its full climb and ends 30 minutes before the descent begins.
The CR would be allowed by the Captain and during periods of low workload when weather conditions are benign.
The maximum time for CR would not be longer than 40 minutes with another 20 minutes for operational orientation before resuming flight deck duties.
The draft DGCA rules also make it clear that the resting pilot would keep his or her seat belt and harness fastened and move the seat to a position so that there is no "unintentional interference" with flight controls.
During CR, the non-resting cockpit crew would take on full responsibilities of the resting pilot and exercise control of the aircraft at all times, including not leaving the seat and keeping seat belt and harness fastened.
Scientific evidence has shown that pilots are more mentally aware during more difficult phases of flight, such as during approach and landing, after taking a controlled rest.
-- BERNAMA