Nil requirement to log bunk time - what does your CAA do for you?
Those operators who cry foul over the uneven playing ground to be found in some airlines seven hours east of London may just have a bit more fuel for their fire. The regulator (GCAA) in the UAE, home to at least a couple of 'world class' operators, have elected to change the logging of flight time and duty.
Notably, any time spent resting in the bunk counts for precisely zero hours towards the 28 day and annual total flying hour limits (currently 100 and 900 block hours respectively.) Previously as operating crew, these bunk hours counted in full toward the limits, though as augmenting crew only 'stick' time counted. The limits will remain at 100 and 900 hours, but the new change ensures that neither operating nor augmenting pilots will log those resting hours.
For example, for the two sectors DXB-LAX-DXB, an actual block time of 31 hours gets recorded as approximately 17 hours only. The upshot being that more flights per month can be squeezed into the same 100hr limit, and more per year can be squeezed into the same 900hr limit.
The crew of course have no say - even filling out fatigue reports can be a career threatening move in some circumstances. And take it from one who has flown these patterns, this will lead to an increase in the all ready concerning fatigue levels.
Uneven playing ground / commercial advantage? Is your CAA as generous to your country's airlines.....? If not, offer to put them in touch with the GCAA in the UAE to show them how it's done - if they don't like the idea of adopting the same methods on safety grounds then perhaps ask them how come they are happy to have that country's aircraft and crews flying through your airspace and landing at your airports operating under just such conditions....?