Flight time limitations and rest requirements: Unscheduled three- and four-pilot crews

This regulation sets flight and duty time limits for unscheduled Part 135 operations using augmented crews (three or four pilots).

Pilots flying in these crews cannot exceed 500 hours per quarter, 800 hours in two consecutive quarters, or 1,400 hours per year. Before each assignment, pilots must receive at least 10 consecutive hours of rest.

During the assignment, limits include:

• Maximum 8 hours of flight deck duty in any 24-hour period
• Maximum 18 duty hours (three-pilot crew) or 20 duty hours (four-pilot crew) in 24 hours
• Maximum 12 hours aloft (three-pilot) or 16 hours aloft (four-pilot) during those duty periods

The aircraft must have adequate sleeping facilities for relief pilots. After completing the assignment, pilots need at least 12 hours rest (or 16 hours if they exceeded flight deck duty limits by more than 60 minutes due to circumstances beyond their control).

Certificate holders must also provide at least 13 rest periods of 24+ consecutive hours each quarter.

*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.*