Flight time limitations: Pilots: airplanes

This regulation sets flight time limits for pilots flying supplemental operations under Part 121 (typically charter and some cargo flights).

Basic limits:

• Pilots may be scheduled up to 8 hours of flight time in any 24-hour period without a rest break
• After flying more than 8 hours in 24 consecutive hours, pilots must receive at least 16 hours of rest
• Pilots must get at least 24 consecutive hours off duty once every 7 days
• Maximum 100 flight hours in any 30 consecutive days
• Maximum 1,000 flight hours per calendar year

Special exception: For transcontinental nonstop flights, scheduling may extend to 10 hours of continuous flight time if the aircraft has working pressurization, the crew includes at least two pilots plus a flight engineer, and the operator uses approved independent communication and dispatch services.

These limits prevent pilot fatigue by capping both short-term and long-term flight duty 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.*