In a significant move to address concerns related to pilot fatigue and enhance aviation safety, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has implemented updated Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) regulations. These measures include an increase in pilots’ weekly rest hours from 36 to 48, a reduction in the maximum night flight time to eight hours, and a limit of two landings by a pilot in a day.
The aviation industry had been advocating for revised FDTL regulations following instances of pilot fatalities attributed to fatigue-related cardiac issues in 2023. The DGCA has shared the new FDTL norms with airlines, mandating their compliance by June 1.
Under the updated norms, the DGCA has redefined the night period, extending it from 0000-0600 hours compared to the previous 0000-0500 hours. This additional one hour in the early morning aims to provide pilots with adequate rest and aligns with the Window of Circadian Low (WOCL) from 0200-0600 hours. During this time, the circadian body clock cycle is at its lowest in terms of alertness.
The regulations also account for various types of operations across time zones, restricting the maximum flight time and flight duty period to eight and 10 hours, respectively, for operations encroaching into the night. Additionally, the number of landings during night operations has been capped at two, a reduction from the previous maximum of six, thereby bolstering flight safety.
The DGCA emphasized that the revised FDTL regulations were crafted after comprehensive data analysis and feedback from stakeholders, including airline operators, pilot associations, and individuals. The authority also considered global best practices, taking inspiration from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the US and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in the EU, while tailoring the regulations to suit the specific operating environment in India.
