Rest rules and schedules for "contract pilots"
- Thread starter mshunter
- Start date
Dugie8
Well-Known Member
Late hour I thought you were referring to the new rest and duty rules. Derp
as I understand contract pilots, you still go through indoc (lets leave out the latest scuttle about initials and recurrents) for a company so yes the same rules and requirements apply. Even if some places still hold their pilots on call 24/7.
as I understand contract pilots, you still go through indoc (lets leave out the latest scuttle about initials and recurrents) for a company so yes the same rules and requirements apply. Even if some places still hold their pilots on call 24/7.
Dugie8
Well-Known Member
There are plenty of 135 operators whom schedule their pilots to be on call, stating that since the pilot was not called, that period was a rest period and thus a pilot can be on call for 24 hours. Completely flies in the face of not only numerous legal interpretations by the Chief Council, not to mention basic tracking common sense.
z987k
Well-Known Member
Ok, so they blatantly violate the duty and rest regs. How does their POI not catch on? The FAA has been fairly clear in regards to 135.265/7
Autothrust Blue
”…trusting ze process…”
Big Sky Theory.
The FAA is woefully understaffed to inspect flight operations. We have known that since Critter 592, and there have been token remedies...but not the true hiring that needs to happen to adequately surveil everyone.
msmspilot
Well-Known Member
Also some POIs just don't care.
Dugie8
Well-Known Member
The POIs are signing off on it, going outside their authority and interpreting regulation where a legal interp already exists.
I had the POI at CAE SimuFlite tell me that SIDs are not for obstacle avoidance that you can disregard the published climb gradients and apply the standard 200 foot per NM to any SID and be clear of obstacles....
Roger Roger
Bottom of the list
They also don't seem to do themselves any favors in their staffing assignments. Some things I've heard of: guys with no pilot cert doing ramp checks, career turbine helicopter guys inspecting piston airplane ops, guys who've never flown anything bigger than a Cessna 310 doing line checks on 121 jets, or, best of all, a POI for a seaplane only operation... With no float rating on his certificate.
Autothrust Blue
”…trusting ze process…”
Not surprised.
It is a highly politicized organization, not a safety organization.
Dugie8
Well-Known Member
I've said this before but I think it needs repeating. We, as line pilots, need something other than the FSDO/POI system to air grievances to about regulation violations at operations. Something that has the teeth to send strongly worded letters to DOs and CPs about reported "violations" and follow up to make sure the actions have stopped.
Pay2
Oberkellner
I've worked for two different 135 operators at the same airport with the same POI. At both places we were on call at home 24/7 and if we weren't called we must have been resting. Our POI came into the first place and told our DO that our on call shifts had to be split because the time on call must be considered on duty even if the time is spent at home. So we started doing 12 hr on call shifts. Fast forward to my new operator we have the same POI and I am on call 24/7 an he seems to think that there's nothing wrong with that. I haven't found any logic in the way the FAA handles that issue. Then again, I stopped searching for logic in most things involving the FAA.
z987k
Well-Known Member
That's a POI that has no flight experience right there. If I took that advice, I'd die twice a day.
Stone Cold
Well-Known Member
To answer the OP's question, what kind of operation are you contracting for? If it is part 91, there are no rest and duty requirements, so they can technically fly you until you drop or walk off. That has not been my experience, although I have had some very long days out there. Just be smart and have a back bone...if you don't feel comfortable or are fatigued, tell them. Nobody out there is Superman, so just apply common sense and self preservation and you'll be fine.
Technically, you could put something in your contract limiting your time and duty if you wanted, but I have not felt the need to take that approach. Also, if flying for a US part 91 operator, if they have a GOM, you would be bound to fly with whatever restrictions they have in place, if any.
Technically, you could put something in your contract limiting your time and duty if you wanted, but I have not felt the need to take that approach. Also, if flying for a US part 91 operator, if they have a GOM, you would be bound to fly with whatever restrictions they have in place, if any.