Ministry of Civil Aviation

ECAR Part 121

Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA)

Part 121
CERTIFICATION AND OPERATIONS: AIR

SUBPART Q
The Avoidance of Excessive Fatigue in Aircrew
01-Jan-2016
ECAR 121 Subpart Q The Avoidance of Excessive Fatigue in Aircrew 01-Jan-2016
Contents
Contents ................................................................................................................................................................... 2
121.470 Applicability................................................................................................................................................ 3
121.471 Flight and duty time limitations and rest requirements: All crewmembers ............................................. 3
121.473 Logging of pilot time .................................................................................................................................. 3
121.475 Thru 121.499 Reserved .............................................................................................................................. 3
121.501 Definitions .................................................................................................................................................. 3
121.502 General principles of control of flight, duty and rest time ........................................................................ 4
121.503 Limitations on single flying duty periods, cockpit crew ............................................................................. 5
121.504 Extension of flying duty period by in- flight relief...................................................................................... 6
121.505 Extension of flying duty period by split duty ............................................................................................. 6
121.506 Positioning ................................................................................................................................................. 6
121.507 Traveling time ............................................................................................................................................ 6
121.508 Pilot in command’s’ discretion to extend a flying duty period .................................................................. 7
121.509 Delayed reporting time .............................................................................................................................. 7
121.510 Additional limits on helicopter flying ......................................................................................................... 7
121.511 Rest periods ............................................................................................................................................... 7
121.512 Pilot in command’s discretion to reduce rest period ................................................................................ 7
121.513 Standby duty .............................................................................................................................................. 7
121.514 Days off ...................................................................................................................................................... 8
121.515 Accumulative duty and flying hours .......................................................................................................... 8
121.516 Cabin crew.................................................................................................................................................. 8
121.517 Cabin crew required ................................................................................................................................... 8
121.518 Records to be maintained .......................................................................................................................... 8
121.519 Pilot in command discretion report- reduction of rest .............................................................................. 9
121.521 through 121.529 Reserved....................................................................................................................... 10

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ECAR 121 Subpart Q The Avoidance of Excessive Fatigue in Aircrew 01-Jan-2016
121.470 Applicability
This subpart prescribes flight and duty time limitations and rest requirements for air carriers and
air taxi operators to avoid excessive fatigue in the aircrews.

121.471 Flight and duty time limitations and rest requirements: All crewmembers
(a) No air carrier or air taxi may schedule any crewmember and no crewmember may accept an
assignment for flight or duty time in scheduled air transportation or in other commercial flying
except in accordance with a program of flight and duty time limitations approved by the ECAA.
(b) Each air carrier will prepare a program of flight and duty time limitations in accordance with
the ECARs, to be submitted to the ECAA for approval.

121.473 Logging of pilot time

(a) Pilot in command flight time: An airline transport pilot may log as pilot in command, all of the
flight time during which he acts as pilot in command.
(b) Second in command flight time: A pilot may log as second in command, all of the flight time
during which he acts as second in command of an aircraft on which more than one pilot is
required under the type certification of the aircraft.
(c) Pilots administrating line checks may log all hours on flight duty not at the controls while
carrying out line check pilot duties.

121.475 Thru 121.499 Reserved

121.501 Definitions
(a) Standby Duty: A period of time when an operator places restraints on a crewmember who
would otherwise be off duty. However, it shall not include any time during which an operator
requires a crewmember to be available for the purpose of notifying him of a duty which is due
to start 10 hours or more ahead.
(b) Flying Duty Period: Any duty period during which a crewmember flies in an aircraft as a member
of its crew. The flying duty period starts at the time the crewmember is required by the operator
to report for duty (other than standby) and includes such preflight and immediate post flight
duties as are required by the operator.
(c) Duty Period: Any continuous period during which a crewmember flies in any aircraft, whether
as a crewmember or as a passenger, at the behest of his employer, or otherwise carries out a
required duty in the course of his employment. It includes any duty period, positioning at the
behest of the operator, including all ground training, ground duties and standby duty.
(d) Local Night: A period of 8 hours falling between 2200 hours and 0800 hours local time.
(e) Rest Period: A period before starting a flying duty period which is intended to ensure that a
crewmember is adequately rested before a flight.
(f) Days Off: Periods available for leisure and relaxation, not part of which forms any portion of a
duty period. A single day off shall include two local nights. Consecutive days off shall include a
further local night for each additional consecutive day off. A rest period may be included as part
of a day off.
(g) Split Duty: A flying duty period that consists of two or more duty periods which are separated
by less than a minimum rest period.
(h) Positioning: The practice of transferring crews from place to place as passengers in surface or
air transport at the behest of the operator.

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ECAR 121 Subpart Q The Avoidance of Excessive Fatigue in Aircrew 01-Jan-2016
121.502 General principles of control of flight, duty and rest time
(a) The prime objective of any scheme of flight time limitations is to ensure that crewmembers are
adequately rested at the beginning of each flying duty period. Aircraft operators will therefore
need to take account of interrelated planning constraints on individual duty and rest periods,
on the length of cycles of duty and the associated periods of time off and on cumulative duty
hours within specific periods.
(b) Flight schedules must be realistic and the planning of duties must be designed to avoid any
overruns of flying duty limits.
(c) The ECAA will conduct periodic and spot checks of operator’s records and pilot in command
reports to assess whether the operator’s planning of flight schedules and duty in general is
producing results which are compatible with the limitations provided for in the operator’s
scheme. The ECAA will make the necessary amendments and will maintain direct contact with
the Aeromedical Council concerning any associated research or new developments in the
areas of crewmember fatigue. The ECAA may volunteer its views and advice on particular
problems concerning the avoidance of excessive fatigue.
(d) Time off must be planned to ensure that crews are notified of their allocation well in advance
and also consecutive work patterns must be constructed to avoid undesirable rostering
practices as alternating day / night duties and the positioning of crews in a manner likely to
result in a serious disruption of established sleep/ work patterns.
(e) Responsibility for the proper control of flight duty does not rest on the operator alone. It is the
responsibility of all crewmembers to make optimum use of the opportunities and facilities for
rest provided by the operator, and to plan and use their rest periods properly so as to
minimize the risk of fatigue. Crewmembers are also reminded that: A holder of a license shall
not be entitled to undertake his duties if he knows or suspects that his physical or mental
condition renders him temporarily unfit to perform his required duties. The license is to be
suspended if the holder therefore has:
(1) An injury preventing him to undertake his duties.
(2) Any illness preventing him to undertake his duties.
In such cases the holder of the license is required to inform the ECAA in written form for
action to be taken regarding the medical test required for the renewal of the license.
(f) Standard provisions required for an operator’s scheme of limitations:
(1) The standard provisions the ECAA regards as the basis for an acceptable scheme of flight
and duty limitations and which, if included in an operator’s scheme will facilitate approval
by the ECAA, are contained in this subpart.
(2) Although operators are to plan their schemes in accordance with the requirements, it is
recognized that the standard provisions will not necessarily be completely adaptable to
every kind of operation. In exceptional circumstances, therefore, operators may request to
have deviations from the standard provisions approved for their schemes.
(3) However, such variations should be kept to a minimum and approval will only be granted
where the operator can demonstrate that the proposed provision will ensure an equivalent
level of protection against fatigue.

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ECAR 121 Subpart Q The Avoidance of Excessive Fatigue in Aircrew 01-Jan-2016
121.503 Limitations on single flying duty periods, cockpit crew
(a) The maximum rostered flight duty period (FDP), in hours, shall be in accordance with table A or
B (two pilot crews, airplanes) or table C (single pilot crews, airplanes) or table D (helicopters).
Rostering limits in the tables may be extended by in-flight relief or split duty under the terms of
paragraphs 121.504, and 505. The pilot in command may at his discretion further extend the
FDP actually worked in accordance with paragraph 121.508.
(b) Maximum FDP-two pilot crews or more airplanes. Table A shall apply when the FDP starts at a
place where the crewmember is acclimatized to local time, and table B shall apply at other
times. To be considered acclimatized for the purposes of this Part, a crewmember must be
allowed 3 consecutive local nights free of duty within a local time zone band which is two hours
wide. He will thereafter be considered to remain acclimatized to that same time zone band until
he ends a duty period at a place where local time differs by more than two hours.
(c) FDP should not exceed 18 hours of night flying during 72 consecutive hours.
(d) FDP starts from one hour and 30; minutes before the time set for the departure of the flight or
series of flights until 30 minutes after the end of the flight.
Table A – FDP - Two or more flight crew - acclimatised
Sectors - Crewmember in an Acclimated State
Local Time of Start
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 or more
06:00 – 07:59 13:00 12:15 11:30 10:45 10:00 9:30 9:00 9:00
08:00 – 14:59 14:00 13:15 11:45 11:15 10:45 10:15 9:45 9:30
15:00 – 21:59 13:00 12:15 11:30 10:45 10:00 9:30 9:00 9:00
22:00 – 05:59 11:00 10:15 9:30 9:00 9:00 9:00 9:00 9:00

Table B – FDP - Two or more flight crew – NOT acclimatised

Sectors
Length of preceding rest(hours)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 or more
Up to 18 or over 30 13:00 12:15 11:30 10:45 10:00 9:15 9:00
Between 18 and 30 12:00 11:15 10:30 9:45 9:00 9:00 9:00

Table C – FDP - Single flight crew

Sectors
Local Time of Start
4 or less 5 6 7 8 or more
06:00 – 07:59 10:00 9:15 8:30 8:00 8:00
08:00 – 14:59 11:00 10:15 9:30 8:45 8:00
15:00 – 21:59 10:00 9:15 8:30 8:00 8:00
22:00 – 05:59 9:00 8:15 8:00 8:00 8:00

Table D – Maximum FDP – helicopters (cockpit crew members)

Single Pilot Two pilots
Local time of start
Maximum FDP Maximum Flight Time Maximum FDP Maximum Flight Time
06:00-16:59 10:00 7:00 12:00 9:00
17:00-05:59 9:00 6:00 11:00 8:00

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ECAR 121 Subpart Q The Avoidance of Excessive Fatigue in Aircrew 01-Jan-2016
121.504 Extension of flying duty period by in- flight relief
(a). When any additional crewmember is carried to provide in- flight relief for the purpose of
extending an FDP he shall hold qualifications which will meet the requirements of the
operational duty for which he is required as a relief.
(b). When in-flight relief is provided there must be available, for the crewmember who is resting,
a comfortable reclining seat or bunk separated and screened from the flight deck and
passengers.
(c). A total of in-flight rest of less than three hours will not count towards extension of an FDP, but
where the total of in -flight rest (which need not be consecutive) is three hours or more the
rostered FDP may be extended beyond that permitted in tables A and B by:

If rest is taken in a bunk If rest is taken in a seat

A period equal to one half of the total A period equal to one third of the total
of rest taken, provided that the of rest taken, provided that the
maximum FDP permissible shall be 18 maximum FDP permissible shall be 15
hours (or 19 hours in case of Cabin hours (or 16 hours in case of Cabin
crew) crew)

(d). Where a crew member undertakes a period of in-flight relief and after its completion is wholly
free of duty for the remainder of the flight, that part of the flight following completion of duty
may be classed as positioning and be subject to the provisions of positioning detailed in
paragraph 121.506.

121.505 Extension of flying duty period by split duty

(a) When a FDP consists of two or more duties separated by less than a minimum rest period
the FDP may be extended beyond that permitted in the Tables by the amounts indicated
below: The rest period shall not include the time required for immediate post flight and pre-
flight duties. When the rest period is not more than 6 hours it will be sufficient if a quiet and
comfortable place is available, not open to the public, but if the rest period is more than 6
consecutive hours, then a bed must be provided.

Consecutive Hours Rest Maximum Extension of the FDP

1- Less than 3 hours Nil
A period equal to half of the consecutive
2- From 3 hours to 10 hours
hours rest taken

121.506 Positioning
All time spent on positioning as required by the operator shall be considered as duty, but positioning
shall not count as a sector when assessing the maximum permissible FDP. Positioning as required by
the operator which immediately precedes a flying duty period, shall be included as part of the FDP
for purpose of paragraph 121.503 (a).

121.507 Traveling time

(a) Where traveling time between the airport and sleeping accommodation provided by the
operator exceeds thirty minutes each way, the rest period provided must be increased by the
amount of the excess, or such lesser time as is consistent with a minimum of 10 hours at the
sleeping accommodation.
(b) When crewmembers are required to travel from their home to an airport other than the one
from which they normal operate, the assumed traveling time from the normal airport to the
other airport shall be classed as positioning and will be subject to the provisions of positioning
detailed in paragraph 121.506.

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ECAR 121 Subpart Q The Avoidance of Excessive Fatigue in Aircrew 01-Jan-2016
121.508 Pilot in command’s’ discretion to extend a flying duty period
(a) A pilot in command may, at his discretion, extend a FDP beyond the maximum normally
permitted, provided he is satisfied that the flight can safely be made. In these circumstances the
maximum normally permitted shall be 3 hours with the exception of emergencies.
(b) Whenever a pilot in command so exercises his discretion he shall report it to his employer. If the
maximum normally permitted is exceeded by more than 2 hours both the pilot in command and
the operator shall submit a written report to the ECAA within 30 days.
Note 1: Discretion reports either concerning extension of a flying duty or reduction of a rest
period shall be submitted to the ECAA. Those reports will be used by the ECAA when assessing
the realism of particular schedules.
Note 2: An emergency in respect of an extension of a flying duty is a situation which in the
judgment of the pilot in command presents a serious risk to health or safety.

121.509 Delayed reporting time

Where crewmembers are informed of a delay before leaving their place of rest the FDP shall start
at the new reporting time, or 4 hours after the original reporting time whichever is earlier. The
maximum FDP shall be based on the original reporting time. This paragraph shall not apply if crew
members are given 10 hours or more notice of a new reporting time.

121.510 Additional limits on helicopter flying

Pilots engaged on repetitive short sectors, at an average rate of 10 or more landings per hour, shall
have a break of at least 30 minutes away from the aircraft within any continuous period of 3 hours.

121.511 Rest periods

(a) It is the responsibility of the aircraft operator to schedule and operate so that adequate and,
within reason, uninterrupted rest can be obtained by the crewmembers. Away from base the
operator must provide the opportunity and the facilities for the crewmembers to obtain
adequate rest. It is the operator’s responsibility to ensure that rest accommodation is
satisfactory in respect of noise, temperature, light and ventilation. When operations are carried
out at such short notice that is impracticable for the operator to ensure that rest
accommodation is satisfactory, it will be the pilot in command’s responsibility to obtain
satisfactory accommodations.
(b) The minimum rest period which must be provided before undertaking a flying duty period shall
be:
(1) At least as long as the preceding duty period, or a minimum 12 hours whichever is greater.
(2) If rest is away from the company’s home operations base, then the minimum rest is 11
hours.
(3) If the preceding duty period exceeded 18 hours, the minimum rest period must include a
local night.

121.512 Pilot in command’s discretion to reduce rest period

A pilot in command may, at his discretion reduce a rest period to below the minimum required by
paragraph 121.511(b). The exercise of such discretion must be considered exceptional and should
not be used to reduce successive rest periods. A rest period must be long enough to allow cockpit
crewmembers at least 10 hours, and cabin crew at least 9 hours, at the accommodation where the
rest is taken. When a rest period is reduced the pilot in command shall submit a report to his
employer and if the reduction exceeds two hours, then both the operator (employer) and the pilot
in command shall submit a written report to the ECAA within 30 days.

121.513 Standby duty

(a) The following limits shall apply:
Type of duty Maximum duration
Standby duty (all cases) 12 hours
Standby plus FDP 20 hours

(b) The length of the minimum rest period after standby duty combined with FDP is equal to the
proceeding FDP and standby duty combined, but not less than a minimum of 20 hours.

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ECAR 121 Subpart Q The Avoidance of Excessive Fatigue in Aircrew 01-Jan-2016
121.514 Days off
(a) A single day off shall include two local nights. Consecutive days off shall include a further local
night for each additional consecutive day off.
(b) Crewmembers shall:
(1) Not work more than seven consecutive days between days off;
(2) Have 2 consecutive days off in any consecutive 14 days; and
(3) Have a minimum of 6 days off in any consecutive 4 weeks.

121.515 Accumulative duty and flying hours

(a) Maximum cumulative duty hours: The average weekly total of duty hours shall not exceed 50
hours, averaged over any 4 consecutive weeks. All types of duty, flying duty, ground duty, split
duty, standby and positioning shall be counted in full for this purpose.
(b) Maximum monthly flying hours: the maximum number of flying hours which a cockpit crew
member may be permitted to undertake during any 30 consecutive days shall be 100.
(c) Maximum annual flying hours: A person shall not act as a cockpit crewmember if the aggregate
of his flight times in the period of 12 months expiring at the end of the previous month
exceeds 900 hours.
Note: Flying hours includes all flying as cockpit crew except private flying in aircraft not
exceeding 1600 kg maximum weight.

121.516 Cabin crew

(a) The requirements detailed in this section shall be applicable to all cabin crew required as
crewmembers.
(b) The limitations, which shall be applied to cabin crew, are those contained in this section as
applicable to cockpit crewmembers, with the following differences:
(1) Rostered flying duty periods shall not be more than one hour longer than those permitted
for cockpit crewmembers and contained in paragraph 121.503. In order to remove
anomalies which might arise when cabin crew and cockpit crewmembers report at different
times for the same flight, the maximum FDP for cabin crew shall be based on the time at
which the cockpit crewmembers start their flying duty period.
(2) Rostered minimum rest periods shall be not more than one hour shorter than those
required by cockpit crewmembers and contained in 121.511.
(3) The combined sum of standby time and following FDP shall not exceed 21 hours,
reference 121.513.
(4) The average weekly total of duty hours shall not exceed 55 hours, reference 121.515.
(5) The annual and 30 days limit of flying hours need not be applied reference 121.515.
(6) When any additional cabin crews are carried to provide in flight relief for the purpose of
extending FDP, the required number of cabin crews shall be increased by 50% of the
minimum number required, provided adequate seats are available on board the aircraft for
the additional cabin crews.

121.517 Cabin crew required

The numbers of cabin crew required are stipulated in Part 121.391.

121.518 Records to be maintained

(a) Records must be kept of the duty and rest periods of all crewmembers. These records shall
include the following for each crewmember:
(1) Duration of each flying duty period, and function performed during the period, duration of
each duty period whether or not it includes a flying duty period, duration of each rest period
prior to a flying duty standby duty period.
(2) Daily and weekly flying hours for each crewmember, and these records shall be preserved
for at least 12 calendar months from the date of the relevant entry.
(b) Additionally, operators shall retain all pilot in command discretion reports of extended flying
duty periods and reduced rest periods for a period of at least six months.

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ECAR 121 Subpart Q The Avoidance of Excessive Fatigue in Aircrew 01-Jan-2016
121.519 Pilot in command discretion report- reduction of rest
Note: All times to be recorded as date/ time six- figure groups expressed in both GMT and Local
Time.
Part A Operator Aircraft Type
Flight Number PIC
Date
Note: If discretion exercised for part crew or individual state name (s) and
operating capacity below.
Part B
Last duty started GMT/Local
Last duty ended GMT/ Local
Rest aimed Hours
Calculated earliest next available GMT/ Local
Actual start or next FDP
Rest period reduced by
Crew affected
Part C PIC Report
Signed--------------------------------------
Date -------------------------------------
Operator Remarks/ Action
Signed--------------------------------------
Date--------------------------------------
Forwarded to ECAA
Filed
121.520 Voyage detailed

Schedule (Planned) Actual

Place GMT Local GMT Local
Duty of start Duty of start
Arrive Arrive
Depart Depart
Depart Depart
Arrive Arrive
Depart Depart
Depart Depart
Arrive Arrive
Depart Depart
Depart Depart
FDP to end FDP to end
FDP Actual FDP
Max. permitted FDP

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ECAR 121 Subpart Q The Avoidance of Excessive Fatigue in Aircrew 01-Jan-2016
Flying, and duty, rest period hours for pilot working in Aerial-Spray flying hours, under ECAR Part 137
Every 24 hours Every Week Every Month Every 3 Months Every Year
A/C Type Flying Spray Flying Spray Flying Spray Flying Spray Flying Spray
hours hours hours hours hours hours hours hours hours hours
Fixed wing
A/C for
spray with
8 6 25 19 100 75 270 ----- 1100 -----
non-
poisonous
material
Fixed wing
A/C for
spray with 5 4 20 15 85 60 240 ----- 900 -----
poisonous
material
Hel A/C for
spray with
non- 7 5 25 16 75 56 220 ----- 800 -----
poisonous
material
Hel A/C for
spray with
4 3 17 11 70 53 200 ---- 700 ----
poisonous
material

121.521 through 121.529 Reserved

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