NBAA Calls for Pilot Rest Rule Changes

The business aviation organization is urging changes to Part 135 rest and duty requirements ahead of FAA reauthorization.

Amelia Walsh

Wednesday, June 07, 2023 at 02:41 PM ET

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In a letter to House lawmakers, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen said that “preventing and mitigating [pilot] fatigue remains a universal area of concern.” [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

The NBAA is advocating for significant revisions to FAA Part 135 pilot rest and duty regulations to enhance aviation safety ahead of a new reauthorization bill.
Key proposals include eliminating "tail-end ferry" flights, which currently allow pilots to exceed maximum duty limits by reclassifying flights as Part 91, posing substantial fatigue risks.
The NBAA also calls for mandatory recordkeeping of both scheduled duties and prospective rest periods, supported by a 2021 Aviation Rulemaking Committee and NTSB findings, to ensure adequate and scientifically-based fatigue management.

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The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is calling for changes to Part 135 pilot rest rules and duty requirements ahead of a new FAA reauthorization bill.

In a June 1 letter to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and aviation subcommittee, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen noted “preventing and mitigating fatigue remains a universal area of concern.” He urged for changes to Part 135 rest and duty requirements—namely to eliminate tail-end ferries and to require recordkeeping regarding the scheduling of both duties and prospective rest.