Mumbai: Cockpit napping should not be an excuse to extend a pilot's flight duty said the directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA). After allowing cockpit napping two days ago, the DGCA released a draft on Thursday stating that the provision cannot be used to extend the flight duty time limit (FDTL) of pilots. The DGCA said that the napping or controlled rest shall not be considered while creating a roster.
On Tuesday, the DGCA allowed cockpit napping practice on long-haul flights (those with duration of more than three hours). This means, that 30 minutes after take-off and before touch-down, one of the two pilots can nap for about 20-30 minutes if the weather and other aircraft conditions are clear. This decision was made after a NASA research stated that these short naps increase efficiency and fight work fatigue.
In a circular, the DGCA said that while cockpit napping may be practiced, it is not a substitute for proper pre-flight sleep. "Controlled Rest is not a means of deferring duty or extending a flight duty period. Controlled Rest is not intended to reduce sleep debt, rather it is an option should tiredness overcome an otherwise well-rested and prepared crew," states the circular.
31/05/13 Chinmayi Shalya/Times of India
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On Tuesday, the DGCA allowed cockpit napping practice on long-haul flights (those with duration of more than three hours). This means, that 30 minutes after take-off and before touch-down, one of the two pilots can nap for about 20-30 minutes if the weather and other aircraft conditions are clear. This decision was made after a NASA research stated that these short naps increase efficiency and fight work fatigue.
In a circular, the DGCA said that while cockpit napping may be practiced, it is not a substitute for proper pre-flight sleep. "Controlled Rest is not a means of deferring duty or extending a flight duty period. Controlled Rest is not intended to reduce sleep debt, rather it is an option should tiredness overcome an otherwise well-rested and prepared crew," states the circular.
31/05/13 Chinmayi Shalya/Times of India
