Flight Plan Vision: A More Capable and Credible Air Force Responsive to National Security and Development

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ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES

HEADQUARTERS PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE
Colonel Jesus Villamor Air Base, Pasay City

AFSO/OAFA

SAFETY INSTRUCTION 30 September 2021

Number 2021-01

SUBJECT: Crew Rest Guidelines

TO: All PAF Units

1. REFERENCES:

a. Philippine Air Force Safety Handbook, Second Edition.

b. U.S. Air Force Instruction 11-202, Volume 3, dated 10 August
2016, Chapter 2: Flight Readiness.
c. PAF Manual 17-6: Air Force Safety Operations Instructions.
d. CAAP CAR Part 8 Subpart 11: Fatigue Management for
Commercial Air Transport, 28 January 2014.

2. BACKGROUND:

International aviation organizations have identified the lack of crew rest

and operational fatigue as significant contributors to accidents. Crew rest issues
have led to decreased productivity, poor quality of life, diseases, and fatigue-related
accidents and incidents.

The PAF has had its share of mishaps related to crew rest. However,
the Command has no clear policy on crew rest to serve as guidelines to operational
commanders and aircrew members.

3. PURPOSE:

This Instruction prescribes mandatory flight time, flight duty period, and
rest periods of all personnel who operate PAF aircraft. Flight time, flight duty period,
duty period limitations, and rest requirements are established for the sole purpose of
ensuring that the flight crew members are performing at an adequate level of
alertness for safe flight operations. It also addresses the management of fatigue
related safety risks of crew members engaged in flying operations of the Command
based on scientific principles and knowledge.

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Safety Inst Nr 2021-01, AFP, HPAF dtd 30 Sep 21, cont’n:

4. APPLICABILITY:

This applies to all PAF Flying Units and Aircraft Maintenance Units.

5. DEFINITION OF TERMS:

a. Aircrew or Crew – The full complement of Airmen who man, or

are designated to man, an aircraft in the air; also applied in a specific context to the
pilot of a single-seat airplane.

b. Aircrew member – an individual is an aircrew assigned by an

operator to duty on an aircraft during a flight duty period.

c. Augmented Aircrew – A primary aircrew supplemented by

additional aircrew members to permit in-flight rest periods. If the primary aircrew
requires only one pilot and a second qualified pilot is designated as an aircrew
member to augment pilot duties, the crew can be considered augmented.

d. Basic Aircrew – Aircrew positions as defined in the aircraft Table

of Organization for the regular operation of the aircraft or mission.

e. Crew Rest Period – is usually a minimum 12-hour non-duty

period before the Flight Duty Period (FDP) begins. Its purpose is to ensure the
aircrew member is adequately rested before performing flight or flight-related duties.
Crew rest is free time and includes time for meals, transportation, and rest. Rest is
defined as a condition that allows an individual the opportunity to sleep.

f. Deadhead Time – For crew rest purposes, "deadhead" time is

computed as FDP. If an aircrew member performs in-flight or crew-specialty related
duties (i.e., aircraft offloading or performance data calculations) in conjunction with
"deadheading," provisions on Crew Rest, Scheduling Restrictions, Alertness
Management Strategies, and Maximum FDP shall apply.

g. Deadhead Transportation – Transportation of a flight crew

member as a passenger or non-operating flight crew member by any mode of
transportation to a deployment area or a forward operating base. All-time spent in
deadhead transportation is a duty and is not rest, but is not considered a flight
segment.

h. Flight Duty Period (FDP) – begins when an aircrew member

reports for a mission, briefing, or other official duty and ends when engines are
shutdown at the end of the mission, mission leg, or a series of tasks. FDP ends at
final engine shutdown, final in-flight handover briefing, or final crew swap, whichever
occurs last.

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Safety Inst Nr 2021-01, AFP, HPAF dtd 30 Sep 21, cont’n:

i. Official Duty - performance of military service by a member of

the Armed Forces of the Philippines under competent State military orders, including
training, the performance of emergency response missions, and traveling directly to
or returning directly from the location of such military service. These include
functions performed by members necessary to demonstrate responsible and
accountable government concerning matters within the AFP.

j. Series of Flights – Consecutive flights that begin and end within

24 hours and are conducted by the same Pilot-in-Command (PIC).

k. Sleeping Provisions – Sleeping provisions are crew bunks or

other A-3 defined rest facilities aboard the aircraft. Rest facilities should provide
adequate privacy and noise levels to obtain proper rest.

6. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES:

a. Fatigue Management Authorization:

Regardless of authorized FDP, the PIC will restrict duty time,

extend crew rest period or terminate a mission/mission leg if fatigue factors
compromise safety.

b. Cumulative Flight Time Limitations:

Aircrew members are allowed a maximum flying time of 30

hours in 7 consecutive days, 100 hours in any calendar month, and 1000 hours in
any calendar year.

c. Maximum Flight Duty Periods:

1) The maximum flight duty periods (Hours per Day) and

aircraft type:

Aircraft Type Basic Augmented

Aircrew Aircrew
Single Control Aircraft 12 NA
Fighter, Attack or Trainer (Dual Control) 12 16
Rotary Wing (without Auto Flight Control System) 12 14
Rotary Wing (with Auto Flight Control System) 14 18
Utility 12 18
Transport 15 18
Transport (with sleeping provisions) 15 18
Reconnaissance/Special Mission Aircraft 15 18
Unmanned Aircraft System (Single Control) 12 NA
Unmanned Aircraft System (Dual Control) 16 NA

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Safety Inst Nr 2021-01, AFP, HPAF dtd 30 Sep 21, cont’n:

2) The duty aircrew shall observe the following flight duty
period:
Maximum Flight Duty Period
Reporting Time
(Hours/Day)
0000 - 0359 9 + 00
0400 - 0459 9 + 30
0500 - 0559 10 + 00
0600 - 0659 11 + 00
0700 - 1259 13 + 00
1300 - 1659 11 + 00
1700 - 2159 10 + 00
2200 - 2359 9 + 00
3) The duty aircrew shall not exceed the following flying time
limits as specified below:
Maximum Flight Time
Reporting Time
(Hours/Day)
0000 - 0459 6 + 00
0500 - 0659 7 + 00
0700 - 1259 8 + 00
1300 - 1959 7 + 00
2000 - 2359 6 + 00
4) If official post-flight duties are anticipated to exceed two
(2) hours, Commanders should consider reducing the FDP to ensure the safe
completion of those duties;
5) Aircrew shall not be scheduled for continuous alert or
flight duty for more than 18 hours. If such a condition occurs, a relief aircrew shall be
required to take over the crew duty position; and
6) An aircrew that has exceeded eight (8) hours of flying
time within a day must be given at least 18 hours of rest before allowing them to
assume any flight crew duty.
d. Additional Limits on Flying:
1) Sleep deprivation, leading to the onset of fatigue, can
arise if a crew member is required to report early for duty or finishes a task late on
several consecutive days. Therefore, not more than three (3) successive duties that
occur in any part of the period from 1700 to 0359 hours can be undertaken, nor may
there be more than four (4) such duties in any seven (7) consecutive days.
Additionally, any run of successive tasks (late finishes or nights or early starts) can
only be broken by a period of not less than 36 consecutive hours free from such
duties. These 36 consecutive hours may include a duty that is not an early, late, or
night duty;

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Safety Inst Nr 2021-01, AFP, HPAF dtd 30 Sep 21, cont’n:

2) Crew members who are employed on a regular early
morning duty for a maximum of five (5) consecutive duties shall work in accordance
with the following:
a) The minimum rest period before the start of such a
series of duties is 24 hours;
b) The duty will not exceed nine (9) hours; and
c) At the finish of such a series of duties, crew
members will have a minimum of 36 hours free from all duties.

3) Should a crew member be scheduled for duty that occurs

during any part of the period from 1700 to 0359 hours, for a minimum of 2 and a
maximum of 3 consecutive nights, then crew members must be free from all duties
by 1200 hours before covering the block of consecutive night duties.
e. Crew Rest:
1) Aircrew requires at least ten (10) continuous hours of
relaxing activities (including an opportunity for at least eight (8) hours uninterrupted
sleep) during the 12 hours immediately before the FDP. Aircrew members should be
officially notified before entering a crew rest period to ensure individual accountability
and mission reliability. A crew rest period cannot begin until after the completion of
official duties;
2) Crew rest is compulsory for any aircrew member before
performing any flight-related duties like pre-flight, load/unload, start, and taxi aircraft;
3) Each aircrew member is responsible for ensuring that he
or she obtains sufficient rest during crew rest periods. Therefore, activities that would
prevent the opportunity to achieve at least eight (8) hours of uninterrupted sleep are
discouraged; and
4) Time spent on deadhead transportation that an operator
requires of a flight crew member and provides to transport the crew member to an
aerodrome/base/camp at which he/she is to serve on a flight as a crew member or
from an aerodrome/base/camp at which he/she was relieved from the duty to return
to his/her home station, is not considered part of a rest period.
f. Crew Rest Interruptions:
1) Any official duty that requires the active participation of
aircrew members interrupts the crew rest period. If crew rest is interrupted so that
the individual cannot get an opportunity for at least eight (8) hours of uninterrupted
sleep, the individual must be afforded the opportunity for at least eight (8) more
hours of uninterrupted sleep plus a reasonable time to dress, eat, travel, etc.; and
2) Intentional crew rest interruptions shall only be made
under the most exceptional circumstances. The individual must consider unofficial
interruptions so that the intent of crew rest is met. If the crew rest is interrupted,
individuals will inform a supervisor and remove themselves from the flight schedule
when necessary.

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Safety Inst Nr 2021-01, AFP, HPAF dtd 30 Sep 21, cont’n:

g. Exemption to the 12-Hour Minimum Crew Rest Period:

1) For continuous operations when basic aircrew FDPs are

greater than 12 but less than 14 hours, subsequent crew rest may be reduced
proportionally to a minimum of 10 hours to maintain a 24-hour work/rest schedule.
Thus, continuous operations mean three (3) or more consecutive FDPs of at least 12
hours' duration separated by minimum crew rest; and
2) The 10-hour crew rest exception shall only be used to
keep crews in 24-hour clock cycles, not for scheduling convenience or additional
sortie generation. Any reduction from 12 hours' crew rest requires pre-coordination
for transportation, meals and quarters, so that crew members are provided an
opportunity for at least two (2) hours of uninterrupted sleep.

h. Scheduling Restrictions:

1) Flight operations shall only schedule aircrew members

who have adequate crew rest. Aircrews shall also not perform flight duties until the
requirements of crew rest have been met;
2) Flight operations shall only schedule aircrew members
with current annual physical examination profiles from the Chief Surgeon Air Force,
which clears them for flying duties. Aircrew members shall not perform flight duties if
their APE is expired; and
3) Certain activities, conditions, and factors can adversely
affect the member's short-term medical fitness for flying. Although some of these can
be avoided, others may require the declaration of Temporary Medical Unfitness for
Flying (TMUFF), which a medical or dental Officer can impose, or self-imposed by
the individual aircrew member.

i. Waiver Authority:

1) Procedures in this instruction may be waived by the

Commanding General, Philippine Air Force (CG, PAF) when a risk assessment
determines that mission requirements justify the increased risk. TOG Commanders
who have operational control of air assets in their AOR may recommend to the CG,
PAF to take exception to the rule of this policy upon careful assessment provided
that the mission requirements justify the risk.
2) Flight crew members may extend maximum FDP up to
two (2) hours to compensate for unplanned mission delays such as adverse weather
conditions, diversions, aircraft mechanical delays, air traffic delays, or other
unforeseen operational circumstances when Operational Risk Management
assessment determines that the mission requirements justify the increased risk
provided it has been cleared with the Higher Authority (i.e. Unit Commanders, TOG
Commanders, etc.).

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Safety Inst Nr 2021-01, AFP, HPAF dtd 30 Sep 21, cont’n:

3) The maximum extension to the flight time and FDP

requirements is permitted provided:
a) The Pilot-in-Command (PIC), after consultation
with other crew members, considers it is safe to do so;
b) The PIC notifies the Unit of the length of and the
reason for the extension; and
c) The Unit immediately reports the extension to the
Command, records the extension's details, and maintains this record until the next
audit is completed.

7. RESPONSIBILITIES:

a. Commanders, Major Flying Units shall:

1) Be primarily responsible for the implementation and

enforcement of crew rest policies within their Units;
2) Establish implementing policies and procedures
consistent with this instruction;
3) Ensure subordinate commanders and operational
planners take into account crew rest considerations in the mission planning cycle,
including flight authorization, aircrew selection/pairing/augmentation, flight
schedules, and personnel relieving/turn over;
4) Ensure operational aircrew are knowledgeable of and
adhere to HPAF and significant PAF flying Unit crew rest policies and their
responsibilities concerning crew rest; and
5) Promulgate and enforce alertness management
procedures.

b. Assistant Chief of Air Staff for Operations, A-3 shall:

1) Exercise functional supervision on matters related to crew

rest and medical unfitness for flying; and
2) Perform all other necessary tasks to ensure the
effectiveness and proper implementation of crew rest policies.
c. Director, Air Force Safety Office shall:

1) Be the Office of Primary Responsibility in the

establishment of the Command's Crew Rest policy;
2) Review and update provisions of crew rest policy;
3) Coordinate with concerned Units/Offices in the
development, implementation, and improvement of policies on crew rest and
unfitness for flying; and
4) Perform all other tasks as necessary.

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Safety Inst Nr 2021-01, AFP, HPAF dtd 30 Sep 21, cont’n:

d. Chief Surgeon Air Force shall:

1) Perform specialized research/studies on medical and

related fields concerning crew rest and unfitness for flying;
2) Provide advice on the development, implementation, and
improvement of policies on crew rest and unfitness for flying; and
3) Perform all other necessary tasks for a responsive and
relevant crew rest policy.

8. RESCISSION: All other policies and directives in conflict herewith are

hereby rescinded.

9. EFFECTIVITY: This Safety Instruction shall take effect upon approval.

BY COMMAND OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL PAREDES:

OFFICIAL: ARTHUR M CORDURA

Major General PAF
Chief of Air Staff

SHEILLAH GRACE E VICENTE

Colonel PAF (MNSA)
Air Force Adjutant

DISTRIBUTION:
“A”

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