Scope: Part VII — Commercial Air Services, Division III (§§700.19–700.72) — Flight Crew Member Fatigue Management, applicable to Subpart 5 (705) Airline Operations. Includes Division IV (medical evacuation §§700.100–700.135) and Division V (FRMS §700.200+).
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| acclimatized | Describes a flight crew member whose biorhythm is aligned with local time |
| class 1 rest facility | A bunk or other horizontal surface in an area (a) separated from flight deck and passenger cabin; (b) with temperature and light controls; (c) subject to minimal noise and disturbances |
| class 2 rest facility | A seat allowing horizontal sleeping position in an area (a) separated from passengers by curtain; (b) equipped with portable oxygen; (c) minimizing disturbances |
| class 3 rest facility | A seat that reclines at least 40° from vertical with leg and foot support |
| early duty | Hours of work that begin between 02:00 and 06:59 (acclimatized time) |
| flight crew member on reserve | A flight crew member designated by an air operator to be available to report for flight duty on notice of more than one hour |
| late duty | Hours of work that end between midnight and 01:59 (acclimatized time) |
| local night's rest | A rest period of at least nine hours that takes place between 22:30 and 09:30 (acclimatized time) |
| night duty | Hours of work that begin between 13:00 and 01:59 and end after 01:59 (acclimatized time) |
| reserve availability period | The period in any 24 consecutive hours during which a flight crew member on reserve is available to report for flight duty |
| reserve duty period | The period beginning when a flight crew member on reserve is available to report for flight duty and ending when the FDP ends |
| single day free from duty | Time free from duty from the beginning of the first local night's rest until the end of the following local night's rest |
| window of circadian low | The period beginning at 02:00 and ending at 05:59 (acclimatized time) |
[SOR/2003-121, s. 1; SOR/2009-152, s. 2; SOR/2018-269, s. 10; SOR/2025-98, s. 15; SOR/2025-226, s. 8]
[SOR/2006-199, s. 15; SOR/2018-269, s. 18] — Applies to Subpart 5 (705 Airline) and Subpart 4 (704 Commuter) air operators
(1) This Division does not apply to: (a) Subpart 2 operators/crew; or (b) medical evacuation flights (covered by Division IV).
(2) Time references are: (a) for acclimatized crew: local time at their current location; (b) for non-acclimatized crew: local time at the last acclimatized location.
[SOR/2018-269, s. 13]
(1) Air operator shall have a system monitoring flight times, FDPs, hours of work, and rest periods; include details in company operations manual.
(2) Per crew member, keep records of: (a) all flight times; (b) FDP start/end/duration; (c) duty period start/end/duration; (d) rest period start/end/duration; (e) all time free from duty.
(3) Keep records of all notifications provided by pilot-in-command under §700.63(4).
(4) Retain records for 24 months after the day they are made.
(1) Provide flight crew member schedule sufficiently in advance for adequate rest planning.
(2) Determine monthly if maximum FDP is exceeded more than 10% of the time in any 90 consecutive days.
(3) If >10% exceeded due to unforeseen circumstances: change schedule or pairing within 28 days of determination.
(1) Air operator shall not allow a crew member to begin an FDP if the member has advised they are fatigued to the extent of not being fit for duty.
(2) Crew member shall advise all other crew members and the air operator as soon as they become aware of in-flight fatigue affecting duty fitness.
(3) Single-pilot: if fatigue occurs in flight, advise air operator immediately or as soon as possible after landing.
(4)/(5) Anyone who becomes aware of an impending maximum exceedance or a denied rest period shall advise the air operator as soon as possible.
Total flight time shall not exceed:
Table selection: Determined by average duration of all scheduled flights and number of flights in the FDP. Positioning is not counted as a flight (§700.28(6)).
| Start Time of FDP | 1–11 Flights | 12–17 Flights | 18+ Flights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00–03:59 | 9 hrs | 9 hrs | 9 hrs |
| 04:00–04:59 | 10 hrs | 9 hrs | 9 hrs |
| 05:00–05:59 | 11 hrs | 10 hrs | 9 hrs |
| 06:00–06:59 | 12 hrs | 11 hrs | 10 hrs |
| 07:00–12:59 | 13 hrs | 12 hrs | 11 hrs |
| 13:00–16:59 | 12.5 hrs | 11.5 hrs | 10.5 hrs |
| 17:00–21:59 | 12 hrs | 11 hrs | 10 hrs |
| 22:00–22:59 | 11 hrs | 10 hrs | 9 hrs |
| 23:00–23:59 | 10 hrs | 9 hrs | 9 hrs |
| Start Time of FDP | 1–7 Flights | 8–11 Flights | 12+ Flights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00–03:59 | 9 hrs | 9 hrs | 9 hrs |
| 04:00–04:59 | 10 hrs | 9 hrs | 9 hrs |
| 05:00–05:59 | 11 hrs | 10 hrs | 9 hrs |
| 06:00–06:59 | 12 hrs | 11 hrs | 10 hrs |
| 07:00–12:59 | 13 hrs | 12 hrs | 11 hrs |
| 13:00–16:59 | 12.5 hrs | 11.5 hrs | 10.5 hrs |
| 17:00–21:59 | 12 hrs | 11 hrs | 10 hrs |
| 22:00–22:59 | 11 hrs | 10 hrs | 9 hrs |
| 23:00–23:59 | 10 hrs | 9 hrs | 9 hrs |
| Start Time of FDP | 1–4 Flights | 5–6 Flights | 7+ Flights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00–03:59 | 9 hrs | 9 hrs | 9 hrs |
| 04:00–04:59 | 10 hrs | 9 hrs | 9 hrs |
| 05:00–05:59 | 11 hrs | 10 hrs | 9 hrs |
| 06:00–06:59 | 12 hrs | 11 hrs | 10 hrs |
| 07:00–12:59 | 13 hrs | 12 hrs | 11 hrs |
| 13:00–16:59 | 12.5 hrs | 11.5 hrs | 10.5 hrs |
| 17:00–21:59 | 12 hrs | 11 hrs | 10 hrs |
| 22:00–22:59 | 11 hrs | 10 hrs | 9 hrs |
| 23:00–23:59 | 10 hrs | 9 hrs | 9 hrs |
| Start Time of FDP | Maximum FDP |
|---|---|
| 00:00–03:59 | 9 hrs |
| 04:00–04:59 | 10 hrs |
| 05:00–05:59 | 11 hrs |
| 06:00–06:59 | 12 hrs |
| 07:00–12:59 | 13 hrs |
| 13:00–16:59 | 12.5 hrs |
| 17:00–21:59 | 12 hrs |
| 22:00–22:59 | 11 hrs |
| 23:00–23:59 | 10 hrs |
Acclimatization thresholds (§700.28(5)): <4h TZ diff: 72h in same zone; ≥4h TZ diff: 96h in same zone; or 24h per 1h of TZ difference.
§700.28(8): FDP for standby crew begins at the time they report for duty at the designated location.
Hours of work shall not exceed:
Hours of work calculation: Reserve crew: 33% of reserve availability period; Standby crew: 100% of standby time.
§700.36: An air operator shall assign a home base for each of its flight crew members.
§700.37: An air operator shall provide a flight crew member with not less than 15 minutes every 6 hours within an FDP to eat and drink. (FRMS-exempt: not waivable)
(1) At the end of an FDP, an air operator shall provide:
(2) If an FDP (excluding positioning time) exceeds the maximum FDP by 1 hour or more, the rest period shall be the longer of: (a) max FDP + time worked beyond max FDP; or (b) the §700.40(1) rest period.
(4) Air operator shall provide advance notice of the rest period and its duration.
(1) In addition to §700.40 rest, air operator shall provide one local night's rest between: (a) late duty/night duty ending and the following early duty beginning; or (b) early duty ending and the following late duty/night duty beginning.
(2) Does not apply when crew member is at a location where local time differs by more than 4 hours from the last acclimatized location.
(1) FDP ending away from home base:
(2) FDP ending at home base from a different time zone:
(1) If positioning immediately after an FDP causes total (FDP + positioning) to exceed max FDP, air operator shall provide rest equal to:
(2) Rest shall not be shorter than §700.40(1) rest period.
(3) Air operator shall not require positioning that would exceed max FDP by >3h unless: (a) member agrees; and (b) FDP is not exceeded by >7h.
(4) Positioning not immediately followed by an FDP is treated as an FDP for rest purposes under §700.40.
(1) FDP may exceed the §700.28 maximum by the following amount if the air operator provides a break of at least 60 consecutive minutes in suitable accommodation:
(2) Break duration is reduced by 45 minutes before the calculation is made.
(3) Night duty limit: If assigned to night duty, split FDP extension only for 3 consecutive nights.
(5) Reserve: If flight crew member on reserve is assigned split duty, air operator may extend reserve duty period by 2 hours. No more than 2 flights during the FDP following the break.
(1) Air operator shall not assign more than 3 consecutive FDPs if any part falls between 02:00 and 05:59, unless one local night's rest is provided at the end of the third FDP.
(2) Air operator may assign up to 5 consecutive FDPs with WOCL if the member is provided: (a) 3-hour rest in suitable accommodation during each FDP; and (b) 56 consecutive hours free from duty at the end of the last consecutive FDP.
(1) If delay advised before leaving suitable accommodation, FDP duration calculated from whichever reporting time results in the shorter period.
(2) FDP begins at:
(3) If delay ≥10h and member is advised before leaving accommodation and rest not disturbed before an agreed time: delay counts as a rest period.
(1) Maximum FDP with augmentation:
| Maximum FDP | Additional Crew | Rest Facility |
|---|---|---|
| 14 hours | 1 | Class 3 |
| 15 hours | 1 | Class 1 or 2 |
| 15.25 hours | 2 | Class 3 |
| 16.5 hours | 2 | Class 2 |
| 18 hours | 2 | Class 1 |
(2) These maximums apply only to FDPs with 3 or fewer flights:
(3) FDP includes all time spent in the rest facility.
(4) FDP begins and ends at the same location. Exception: if 2+ flights and first flight is <105 min scheduled, additional crew may join after first flight — but all must end at the same location.
(6) In-flight rest occurs between 10,000 ft AGL and 15 min before scheduled descent.
(7) If an FDP has been extended, rest period after shall be the longer of: (a) duration of duty period just completed; or (b) 14 hours in suitable accommodation (or 16 hours if ending at home base).
Air operator shall not assign (and crew shall not accept) an FDP that occurs within the window of circadian low and includes a flight that follows a scheduled flight of more than 7 hours.
(1) Maximum FDP: 18 hours (hard cap — cannot be extended).
(2) Maximum single scheduled flight time: 16 hours (hard cap).
(1) If pilot-in-command believes an unforeseen operational circumstance within 60 minutes of FDP start could lead to fatigue affecting safety, after consulting all crew on fatigue levels, PIC may:
(2) If further unforeseen circumstances arise after take-off on the final flight for which the max FDP was already extended, PIC may continue to destination or alternate aerodrome.
(3) Air operator shall extend rest period after an FDP extension by an amount at least equal to the extension.
(4) At the end of the FDP, PIC shall notify the air operator of any change made under this section.
(1) Advance notice: Air operator shall notify reserve crew of RAP start/end time and location no later than:
(2) Start time changes: Air operator shall not change the start time by more than: (a) 2h early or 4h late; or (b) 8h early or late in any 168h unless 2 consecutive days free from duty are provided.
(3) If start time changes to after 02:00, another RAP shall not be assigned unless 2 consecutive days free from duty are provided.
(4) Air operator shall not change start time to fall in the WOCL unless 24 hours' notice is given before the revised start time.
(5) RAP maximum duration: 14 consecutive hours.
(6) Rest between RAPs: At least 10 consecutive hours.
(7) Maximum reserve duty period (RDP):
| RDP Start Time | Maximum RDP |
|---|---|
| 02:00–17:59 | 18 consecutive hours |
| 18:00–18:59 | 17 consecutive hours |
| 19:00–20:59 | 16 consecutive hours |
| 21:00–22:59 | 15 consecutive hours |
| 23:00–01:59 | 14 consecutive hours |
(8) Augmented extensions:
| Augmentation | Rest Facility | Start Time | Max RDP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 additional crew | Class 1 or 2 | Any | 20 hours |
| 2 additional crew | Class 1 or 2 each | 21:00–03:00 acclimatized | 22 hours |
| 2 additional crew | Class 1 each | Before 21:00 or after 03:00 | 26 hours |
(9) WOCL extension credit: If RAP begins between 02:00 and 05:59 and crew member is not contacted during that period, air operator may extend the RDP by 2 hours or 50% of the RAP time between 02:00–05:59, whichever is shorter.
(10) Air operator shall not assign FDP exceeding the max RDP (§700.70(7)/(8)) or max FDP (§700.28), whichever is shorter, unless: (a) at least 24 hours' notice before FDP start; (b) notice not provided between 22:30 and 07:30; (c) no duties assigned between notice and FDP start.
[SOR/2018-269, s. 13; SOR/2022-246, s. 18(E)]
§700.71 — Standby: If not assigned to flight duty, rest period = same as §700.40(1) (12h at home base or 11h+travel or 10h in suitable accommodation; 10h away from home base).
§700.72 — Controlled rest on flight deck: Permitted only if: (a) ≤45 min, during cruise, completed ≥30 min before scheduled descent; (b) no other crew member taking rest simultaneously; (c) ≥2 crew members on flight deck. Crew member shall not assume duties until 15 minutes after end of rest. On return, another crew member shall provide an operational briefing.
Applies to air operators conducting medical evacuation flights, including 705 operators performing such flights. §700.19(1)(b) excludes medevac from Division III.
Air operators may be exempt from specific provisions in §§700.27–700.72 (not §700.27(1)(c) annual limit, §700.29(1)(a), §700.36, §700.37) if: (1) notice of intent sent to Transport Canada Minister; (2) fatigue risk management plan + process implemented; (3) 90-day reporting. Exemption lasts max 3 years, after which a full exemption (§700.234) must be obtained.
| Parameter | Limit |
|---|---|
| Maximum flight time / 24h (single pilot) | 8 hours |
| Maximum flight time / 28 days | 112 hours |
| Maximum flight time / 90 days | 300 hours |
| Maximum flight time / 365 days | 1,000 hours (FRMS-exempt: not waivable) |
| Maximum hours of work / 7 days (standard) | 60 hours |
| Maximum hours of work / 7 days (special) | 70 hours |
| Maximum hours of work / 28 days | 192 hours |
| Maximum hours of work / 365 days | 2,200 hours |
| Basic max FDP (07:00–12:59 start) | 13 hours |
| Minimum FDP (00:00–03:59 start) | 9 hours |
| Augmented FDP max (2 crew + class 1) | 18 hours |
| Ultra long-range max FDP | 18 hours |
| Ultra long-range max flight time | 16 hours |
| Rest at home base (basic) | 12 hours (or 11h+travel, or 10h in suitable accommodation) |
| Rest away from home base (basic) | 10 hours in suitable accommodation |
| Local night's rest definition | ≥9 hours, between 22:30–09:30 (acclimatized time) |
| Window of circadian low | 02:00–05:59 (acclimatized time) |
| Reserve availability period max | 14 consecutive hours |
| Rest between reserve availability periods | ≥10 consecutive hours |
| Max reserve duty period (02:00–17:59 start) | 18 hours |
| Reserve: hours of work counted | 33% of reserve availability period time |
| Standby: hours of work counted | 100% of standby time |
| Controlled rest on flight deck | ≤45 min, cruise only, ≥30 min before descent, ≥2 crew on deck |
| Nutrition break | ≥15 min every 6 hours during FDP (FRMS-exempt: not waivable) |