Pilots' Nap Times Get Paperwork Extension: FAA Stays the Course
Published Date: 4/30/2026
Notice
Summary
The FAA wants to keep collecting info from airlines about when pilots fly or work too long and don’t get enough rest. This helps spot problems and keep flights safe by making sure schedules are realistic. Airlines and flight crews are affected, and the FAA is asking for public comments by June 29, 2026, before renewing this paperwork rule.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Airlines must report duty exceedances
If you are an air carrier certificated under 14 CFR part 121, you must submit a report any time your operation exceeds a maximum daily flight time limit or a Flight Duty Period (FDP) limit. Reports must include scheduled maximum and actual flight duty periods and flight times, basic flight information (city pairs, departure times, flight number), and the reason for the exceedance. The FAA lists 52 air carriers as respondents and estimates an average burden of 12 hours per response and a total annual burden of 30,954 hours.
Training program updates must be submitted
Air carriers must develop specific fatigue-related elements and incorporate them into their training programs under Sec. 117.9; once those elements are incorporated, the carrier must submit the revised training program to the FAA for approval. This creates a compliance and submission obligation for carriers and can change training content for flightcrew members.
Voluntary FRMS causes reporting burden
If an air carrier chooses to develop a Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS) under Sec. 117.7, the carrier must collect operation-specific data and report related activities to the FAA, which creates an annual recordkeeping and reporting burden. These reporting obligations occur when carriers adopt an FRMS and must be included in the carrier's submissions to the FAA.
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