Fatigue risk management system

This regulation allows Part 121 air carriers to exceed the normal flight and duty time limits found elsewhere in this subpart, but only if the FAA approves their Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS). An FRMS is a data-driven alternative to prescriptive rest rules.

To gain approval, the carrier must implement a comprehensive system that includes:

• A formal fatigue risk management policy
• Education and training programs on fatigue awareness
• A way for crew members to report fatigue
• Active monitoring of flightcrew fatigue levels
• An incident reporting process
• Ongoing performance evaluation of the system

In practice, this means airlines can request more scheduling flexibility than the standard rules allow, provided they demonstrate they're scientifically managing fatigue risk rather than simply following hour-counting rules. The FRMS approach recognizes that fatigue management involves more than just limiting duty hours—it requires systematic monitoring and continuous improvement.

*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.*