NoApu
9th Dec 2019, 11:08
FAA, EASA, GULF STATES, CASA...
Which of these authorities sanctions factoring of flying duty hours, to allow us to operate crew duties beyond 900 hours per calendar year, and 1000 hours in any 12 month period!
If the whole idea of imposing limitations on flying duty hours, due the fatiguing nature of our profession, is to take into account disturbance to our circadian rhythm, then how is it possible for any authority to permit operators to legally schedule us beyond the above stated limits?
Ah,well!..they say....it's because, as a double crew, you are not at the controls for the whole flight.. Therefore, when you are part of the reinforcing crew, allowing an extension to the normal single flight duty period, we only have to take into account your time at the controls, when assessing your annual total!
Hmmmm..so let me get this right!
I operated the outbound longhaul flight, crossing countless time zones. On arrival, had the best rest that I could manage, due my circadian rhythm disruption, then operated the return sector as relief crew B, another longhaul flight, back across the time zones - and you are allowed to count only 50% of the return sector time when calculating my annual total?
So,what you are saying is that the return sector only disturbs my circadian rhythm by 50%, when compared with the outbound sector, therefore we do not need to count it in its entirety.
Does anybody else smell a rat here?
Do the authorities really allow this to happen under their very noses!
Of course, there will be those who are happy to take the extra money that may come with it, in which case,who cares about our long term health...a point that the beancounters are well aware of, and possibly our greatest Achilles heel!
Which of these authorities sanctions factoring of flying duty hours, to allow us to operate crew duties beyond 900 hours per calendar year, and 1000 hours in any 12 month period!
If the whole idea of imposing limitations on flying duty hours, due the fatiguing nature of our profession, is to take into account disturbance to our circadian rhythm, then how is it possible for any authority to permit operators to legally schedule us beyond the above stated limits?
Ah,well!..they say....it's because, as a double crew, you are not at the controls for the whole flight.. Therefore, when you are part of the reinforcing crew, allowing an extension to the normal single flight duty period, we only have to take into account your time at the controls, when assessing your annual total!
Hmmmm..so let me get this right!
I operated the outbound longhaul flight, crossing countless time zones. On arrival, had the best rest that I could manage, due my circadian rhythm disruption, then operated the return sector as relief crew B, another longhaul flight, back across the time zones - and you are allowed to count only 50% of the return sector time when calculating my annual total?
So,what you are saying is that the return sector only disturbs my circadian rhythm by 50%, when compared with the outbound sector, therefore we do not need to count it in its entirety.
Does anybody else smell a rat here?
Do the authorities really allow this to happen under their very noses!
Of course, there will be those who are happy to take the extra money that may come with it, in which case,who cares about our long term health...a point that the beancounters are well aware of, and possibly our greatest Achilles heel!