Flight time and crew duty limitations

In this section you can consult the provisions relating to flight time limitations, duty maximums and minimum rest periods for crews carrying out activities of:

• Commercial air transport by aeroplane, except air taxi*, emergency medical services and single pilot operations. They are subject to Subpart ORO.FTL of Regulation No 965/2012.
• Commercial air transportation with aeroplane, for air taxi operations*, emergency medical services and single pilot operations. The following are subject to Subpart Q of Regulation No 3922/91 and to the national implementing legislation:
  • Operational Circular 16 B on flight time limitations, air duty maximums and minimum rest periods for crews.
  • Royal Decree 1952/2009 of 18 December 2009 adopting requirements relating to flight and duty time limitations and rest requirements for service crews on aircraft engaged in commercial air transport.
  • Circular of the Director-General for Civil Aviation of 17 December 2010 clarifying and interpreting the existing requirements relating to flight and duty time limitations and rest requirements for service crews on aeroplanes engaged in commercial air transport.

*Air taxi: in this context, it refers to commercial, non-scheduled and on-demand air transport operations with an operational maximum passenger seating configuration (MOPSC) of 19 seats or less.

• Commercial air transport with helicopters and gliders. The following are subject to national legislation:
  • Operational Circular 16 B on flight time limitations, air duty maximums and minimum rest periods for crews.

• Specialised commercial operations with aeroplane and helicopter, fire-fighting and rescue operations and airwork operations with historical and commercial aircraft with manned balloons. The following are subject to national legislation:
  • Operational Circular 16 B on flight time limitations, air duty maximums and minimum rest periods for crews. It applies to operations classified in Instruction 11-11B, with the exception of operations to which Annex 1 applies to this Operational Circular, as indicated in the following point.
  • Annex 1 to Operational Circular 16B. It applies to activities contained in the following types of operations, according to the classification set out in Circular Instruction 11-11B:
    • Emergency operations.
    • Air treatments.
    • Transport of material and launch of water with helicopter
  • Resolution of 1 March 2018 of the Director of the State Aviation Safety Agency authorising the general exemption from compliance with point 4.2.4 of Annex 1 to Operational Circular 16-B flight time limitations, air activity maximums and minimum rest periods for crews
  • Decision extending the exemption granted by the decision of 22 December 2021 from compliance with the provisions of section 4.2.4 of Annex 1 to Operation Circular 16-b on flight time limitations, maximum air activity and minimum rest periods for crews, authorised by decision of 1 March 2018

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