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 National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is calling for revisions to Part 135 pilot rest and duty rules in the upcoming FAA reauthorization bill to address and mitigate pilot fatigue.
A primary change advocated is the elimination of "tail-end ferries," which are Part 91 flights undertaken after a maximum Part 135 duty day, as these allow pilots to circumvent rest requirements and pose significant safety risks.
NBAA also proposes requiring more comprehensive recordkeeping for scheduled duty and prospective rest times, beyond just flight hours, to ensure pilots receive adequate and properly managed rest.

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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.