DGCA Order: Aviation sector regulator DGCA has made major changes in duty time, shift, night duty and weekly rest to provide rest to the flight crew. DGCA has issued Flight Duty Time Limitations Rules (FDTL) in this regard on Monday. In this, the weekly rest of flight crew has been increased to 48 hours. Besides, the number of night landings has also been reduced from present 6 to 2.
Flight crew will get more rest, safety of planes will increase
According to DGCA, these changed rules will provide more rest to the flight crew. Besides, the security of planes will also increase. According to the official statement, the new rules will be implemented from June 1.
Opinions also taken from airline operators, pilot associations and flight crew
DGCA has made new rules on the basis of pilot roster and various reports received from airline operators. In this, many rules including flight duty period, night duty, weekly rest period, flight duty period extension have been changed. While making these, opinions were also taken from airline operators, pilot associations and flight crew. DGCA said that the rules used by America's FAA and European Union's EASA were also considered.
Weekly rest period extended, definition of night also changed
According to the new rules, the weekly rest period for flight crew has been increased from 36 hours to 48 hours. With its help, the flight crew will get full opportunity to overcome the fatigue of flying. Apart from this, the definition of night has also been changed, according to the new rules, now it will be considered from 12 midnight to 6 am. At present the night is considered to be from 12 o'clock in the morning to 5 o'clock in the morning. This will provide more comfort to the flight crew during night duty. This is also considered to be in line with the Window of Circadian Low (WOCL). This is considered to be the worst time of fatigue for the body.
Change in flight duty period and night landing also
Apart from this, special care has also been taken of time zone in the new rules. According to this, the maximum flight duty period has been reduced to 10 hours and night duty period has been reduced to 8 hours. The number of flight landings at night has been reduced from 6 to 2. All these rules will significantly increase flight safety.
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