Flight Deck Duty Time.

[max autobrakes]

How is it calculated ?
CASA certainly doesn't know, one minute CASA agrees Flight Deck duty time is defined as "the total time a flight crew member spends on the flight deck in a flight duty period"
Then later under obvious pressure from Airline management they recind this definition and now say that "blocks" time is counted as Flight Deck Duty as applied by some operators using the CAO48 exemption.
This is pending an internal CASA discussion that appears to have been going on now since 2005 and they will not enforce the definition as they themselves had originally interpreted it. Why does CASA need to make a ruling when something is so clearly defined ?

Clearly any airline that is presently applying only "blocks" time when calculating Flight deck duty is in breach of the definition and intent of CAO48E .

Why do we even have CASA and a Minister when nothing ever seems to get done unless GoD tells them it's OK! :bored:

[Wizofoz]

By "Blocks" you mean start-up/push-back till shutdown?

The CAO 48 exemtion is based on CAP 371, and that is the definition used under those regs.

Yearly limit, though, is 900hrs under Cap371. Funny how using rules based on it allow the extention to 1000hrs in Aus- Aussies are just tougher I guess!!:ugh:

[blow.n.gasket]

Max wrote: "Clearly any airline that is presently applying only "blocks" time when calculating Flight deck duty is in breach of the definition and intent of CAO48E ."


You wouldn't be refering to JetStar now would you Max?
No wonder mainline can't be as efficient as them!
They would have to bend the rules too! :}

PS :Short haul Qantas operates to CAO48E don't they?
How are Flight Deck Duty hours calculated there?

[Keg]

You should see the definitions for Flight Deck duty time for S/Os and when that is calculated to start!

[max autobrakes]

Wizofoz :By "Blocks" you mean start-up/push-back till shutdown?

The CAO 48 exemtion is based on CAP 371, and that is the definition used under those regs.




Sorry Wizofoz I can't find in CAP 371 any reference to "blocks" being the definition for Flight deck Duty?
Don't certain carriers bother with flight planning?
That's a preflight duty isn't it?

2.2 Planned schedules must allow for flights to be completed within the maximum
permitted flying duty period. The CAA, when assessing the planning of a schedule will take into account the time allowed for pre-flight duties, taxying, the flight and turnround times. However, it is recognised that on occasion a planned flight will experience unforeseen delays. Under these conditions, the aircraft commander may, within prescribed conditions, extend an FDP.


8)
'Flying Duty Period (FDP)'

Any time during which a person operates in an aircraft as a member of its crew. It starts when the crew member is required by an operator to report for a flight, and finishes at on-chocks or engines off, or rotors stopped, on the final sector.

And the preamble to CAP371 reads:

It was recognised in the 1950s that a contributory factor in some aircraft accidents may have
been aircrew fatigue. The Bader Report was commissioned and the Flight Time Limitation
Board convened, with the object of regulating the hours worked by aircraft crew. Restrictions
placed on the number of hours worked, developed over the years, have gone a long way
towards ensuring that crew are sufficiently rested prior to commencing a flying duty period.
The preparation and presentation of any Flight Time Limitation (FTL) scheme is both complex
and time consuming. The need to strike a balance between the many and varied views of all
those who have an interest and aero medical evidence, and at the same time not disadvantage
the United Kingdom industry, dictates that the composition of a scheme must set a standard
which reflects the common good. The views of all interested parties have been sought, and
where practical and acceptable, incorporated into the scheme. The end result, this CAP,
presents a consensus of broad opinion and defines a basic framework for the duty hours of
flight crew and cabin crew.

So tell me how on gods earth can one calculate Flight Deck Duty without including the time to flight plan, read Notams and peruse weather forcasts
if the whole point and intent of this CAP is to mitigate fatigue risks?