Flight Time and Rest

FAR 91.1059 — Flight Time and Rest

FAR 91.1059 sets flight time limits and rest requirements for one- and two-pilot crews in fractional ownership operations. Key limits explained for pilots.

In Plain English

FAR 91.1059 sets the flight time limits and rest requirements for one- and two-pilot crews flying under Subpart K (fractional ownership programs). It exists to prevent fatigue-related accidents by capping how much a pilot can fly and ensuring adequate rest.

Cumulative flight time limits — counting all commercial flying:

500 hours in any calendar quarter
800 hours in any two consecutive calendar quarters
1,400 hours in any calendar year

24-hour flight time limits (assigned flight plus other commercial flying):

8 hours for a single-pilot crew
10 hours for a two-pilot crew qualified under Subpart K

Normal duty schedule:

Minimum rest immediately before duty: 10 hours
Duty period: up to 14 hours
Flight time: up to 8 hours (1 pilot) or 10 hours (2 pilots)
Minimum after-duty rest: 10 hours
Minimum after-duty rest for multi–time zone flights: 14 hours

With an extension of flight time, duty may extend up to 18 hours, flight time to 9 hours (1 pilot) or 12 hours (2 pilots), with after-duty rest increased to 12 hours.

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Regulation Text

14 CFR § 91.1059

§ 91.1059 Flight time limitations and rest requirements: One or two pilot crews. (a) No program manager may assign any flight crewmember, and no flight crewmember may accept an assignment, for flight time as a member of a one- or two-pilot crew if that crewmember's total flight time in all commercial flying will exceed— (1) 500 hours in any calendar quarter; (2) 800 hours in any two consecutive calendar quarters; (3) 1,400 hours in any calendar year. (b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, during any 24 consecutive hours the total flight time of the assigned flight, when added to any commercial flying by that flight crewmember, may not exceed— (1) 8 hours for a flight crew consisting of one pilot; or (2) 10 hours for a flight crew consisting of two pilots qualified under this subpart for the operation being conducted. (c) No program manager may assign any flight crewmember, and no flight crewmember may accept an assignment, if that crewmember's flight time or duty period will exceed, or rest time will be less than— 18 Hours. 14 Hours (6) Minimum After Duty Rest Period for Multi-Time Zone Flights 12 Hours. 10 Hours (5) Minimum After Duty Rest Exceeding 10 Hours up to 12 Hours. Up to 10 Hours (4) Flight Time For 2 Pilots Exceeding 8 Hours up to 9 Hours. Up to 8 Hours (3) Flight Time For 1 Pilot Up to 14 Hours. Up to 14 Hours (2) Duty Period 10 Hours. 10 Hours (1) Minimum Rest Immediately Before Duty Extension of flight time Normal duty

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Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1Under Subpart K, what are the maximum cumulative flight hours a pilot may fly in a calendar quarter and calendar year?

Per FAR 91.1059, total commercial flight time may not exceed 500 hours in any calendar quarter, 800 hours in any two consecutive calendar quarters, and 1,400 hours in any calendar year.

Q2In any 24 consecutive hours, how much flight time can a one-pilot crew versus a two-pilot crew accept?

FAR 91.1059(b) limits a one-pilot crew to 8 hours and a two-pilot crew qualified under Subpart K to 10 hours of total flight time, including any other commercial flying.

Q3What is the minimum rest period required immediately before a duty assignment, and how does it change after a multi–time zone flight?

Under FAR 91.1059(c), the minimum rest immediately before duty is 10 hours, and the minimum after-duty rest following a multi–time zone flight is 14 hours.

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