Rest period

This regulation establishes mandatory rest periods for airline flightcrew members under Part 117 fatigue rules.

Before any duty period, pilots must receive at least 10 consecutive hours of rest that provides a minimum 8-hour sleep opportunity. If a pilot determines they won't get 8 uninterrupted hours of sleep, they must notify the airline and cannot report until receiving proper rest.

Additionally, pilots need at least 30 consecutive hours off within each 168-hour (7-day) period. After traveling more than 60° longitude and being away from home base for more than 168 hours, pilots must receive 56 consecutive hours rest upon returning home, encompassing three physiological nights based on local time.

The regulation also addresses "acclimation" to new time zones—36 consecutive hours of rest counts toward meeting the 30-hour weekly requirement. If deadhead transportation exceeds normal flight duty limits, rest equal to the deadhead time (but not less than 10 hours) is required before the next duty period.

Neither airlines nor pilots may accept assignments during required rest periods.

*This is a plain-English summary for study only. The official 14 CFR text on this page is controlling — always read the current regulation and consult a CFI.*