As far as I can remember when I was producing the crew rosters for Autair in 1966 the maximum flying duty period at that time was sixteen hours with no sector limitations. For example we would schedule a crew of 2 Flight Deck 2 Cabin on a HS748 Luton-Corfu-Luton (with tech stops) for a 15.35 hour FDP.
The safety record of British Independent Airlines was not good during the nineteen sixties and I believe the FTL regulations were then reviewed and the maximum FDP was reduced. Subsequently (1975) and not before time the publication of The Bader Report resulted in the whole business of UK Flight Time Regulations being overhauled with, among other regulations, Sector Restrictions, Minimum Rest Periods and max FDPs being tightened up.
Last edited by OUAQUKGF Ops; 19th Aug 2016 at 15:10.
Reason: Additional Info.