Augmented flight crews

This regulation sets limits for augmented flight crews—operations where extra pilots are carried to allow for rest periods on longer flights.

Flight time limits cap how much an augmented crew member can fly commercially: 500 hours per calendar quarter, 800 hours in any two consecutive quarters, and 1,400 hours per year.

Crew requirements mandate that the aircraft must have adequate sleeping facilities for pilots, and no pilot can spend more than 8 hours on the flight deck in any 24-hour period. A three-pilot crew needs a PIC, a PIC-qualified pilot, and an SIC (who must be instrument current for IFR). A four-pilot crew needs those three plus an additional SIC (also instrument current for IFR).

These rules allow program managers to conduct extended operations safely by ensuring pilots get proper rest and the crew has sufficient qualified personnel to rotate duties during long flights.

*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.*