Flight time limitations: Three pilot crews: airplanes

This regulation sets duty and flight time limits for supplemental operations using three-pilot crews.

Certificate holders cannot schedule a pilot for more than 8 hours of flight deck duty in any 24-hour period, even though the airplane has three pilots who can rotate. The pilot also cannot be aloft for more than 12 hours in that same 24-hour window—this is the total time the airplane is airborne, regardless of whether the pilot is actively at the controls or resting. Additionally, the pilot's total duty period cannot exceed 18 hours in 24 consecutive hours.

These limits recognize that three-pilot crews allow for rest rotation during long flights, permitting longer duty periods than two-pilot operations. However, they still impose maximum thresholds to prevent fatigue. The distinction between "flight deck duty" (8 hours), "aloft" (12 hours), and total "on duty" (18 hours) allows pilots to rest in the cabin during portions of extended flights while maintaining safety margins.

*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.*