"Unacceptable"; "exceeding the reasonable limits"; "allowing for high density of work..." That is how the experts charged with the scientific evaluation of EU laws on Flight Time Limitations described some of the current laws to protect against crew fatigue. The conclusions of the experts can be found in an independent Study published today by the European Aviation Safety Agency. The European Cockpit Association welcomes the publication and urges a swift review of the rules taking into account the study's results.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has today published the medical and scientific evaluation of European laws on Flight Time Limitations (FTL) for pilots. This Evaluation was required by the "EU-OPS" Regulation, approved by the European Parliament and the Council in 2006. This Regulation also requires the European Commission to "draw up and submit proposals without delay to amend the relevant technical provisions" on the basis of this evaluation.
The scientists identified some critical items which need urgent review:
- Maximum duty hours (currently 13/14 hours)
- Night duty hours (currently 11:45 hours)
- Split duty (duty combined with a short rest)
- Rest hours
- Standby and breaks