Canadian Aviation Regulations · SOR/96-433
Maximum Flight Duty Period
Your maximum flight duty period depends on when the FDP starts, how many flights you are scheduled for, the average length of those flights, and whether you are acclimatized to local time.
Applies to 703704705 · in force since December 12, 2020
The flight duty period (FDP) is defined in CARs 101.01. It begins at the earliest of: carrying out any assigned duties before reporting for a flight; reporting for a flight (the first flight, if there is more than one); reporting for positioning; or reporting as a flight crew member on standby. It ends at engines off or rotors stopped at the end of a flight. Section 700.28 sets the maximum FDP an air operator may schedule and a flight crew member may accept. See the glossary for the other defined terms used on this page.
The basic idea
There is no single number. Your maximum FDP is read from a table, and three things choose the row and column:
- When the FDP starts — the local time you report, at the place you are acclimatized to. Earlier and overnight starts get shorter limits.
- How many flights are scheduled in the FDP.
- The average length of those flights — under 30 minutes, 30 to under 50 minutes, or 50 minutes or more. Shorter average flights mean more take-offs and landings, so the limits are tighter.
Flights conducted under day VFR use their own, simpler table with no flight-count column.
Find your maximum FDP
| Start time of flight duty period | 1 to 11 flights | 12 to 17 flights | 18 or more flights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00–03:59 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| 04:00–04:59 | 10:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| 05:00–05:59 | 11:00 | 10:00 | 9:00 |
| 06:00–06:59 | 12:00 | 11:00 | 10:00 |
| 07:00–12:59 | 13:00 | 12:00 | 11:00 |
| 13:00–16:59 | 12:30 | 11:30 | 10:30 |
| 17:00–21:59 | 12:00 | 11:00 | 10:00 |
| 22:00–22:59 | 11:00 | 10:00 | 9:00 |
| 23:00–23:59 | 10:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Start time of flight duty period | 1 to 7 flights | 8 to 11 flights | 12 or more flights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00–03:59 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| 04:00–04:59 | 10:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| 05:00–05:59 | 11:00 | 10:00 | 9:00 |
| 06:00–06:59 | 12:00 | 11:00 | 10:00 |
| 07:00–12:59 | 13:00 | 12:00 | 11:00 |
| 13:00–16:59 | 12:30 | 11:30 | 10:30 |
| 17:00–21:59 | 12:00 | 11:00 | 10:00 |
| 22:00–22:59 | 11:00 | 10:00 | 9:00 |
| 23:00–23:59 | 10:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Start time of flight duty period | 1 to 4 flights | 5 or 6 flights | 7 or more flights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00–03:59 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| 04:00–04:59 | 10:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| 05:00–05:59 | 11:00 | 10:00 | 9:00 |
| 06:00–06:59 | 12:00 | 11:00 | 10:00 |
| 07:00–12:59 | 13:00 | 12:00 | 11:00 |
| 13:00–16:59 | 12:30 | 11:30 | 10:30 |
| 17:00–21:59 | 12:00 | 11:00 | 10:00 |
| 22:00–22:59 | 11:00 | 10:00 | 9:00 |
| 23:00–23:59 | 10:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Start time of flight duty period | Maximum flight duty period |
|---|---|
| 00:00–03:59 | 9:00 |
| 04:00–04:59 | 10:00 |
| 05:00–05:59 | 11:00 |
| 06:00–06:59 | 12:00 |
| 07:00–12:59 | 13:00 |
| 13:00–16:59 | 12:30 |
| 17:00–21:59 | 12:00 |
| 22:00–22:59 | 11:00 |
| 23:00–23:59 | 10:00 |
Times shown as h:mm. These tables assume an acclimatized flight crew member — see acclimatization below if you are not acclimatized to local time.
How to read the tables
- Pick the table for your average flight duration (or the day-VFR table).
- Find the row for the time your FDP starts.
- Find the column for the number of flights scheduled.
- The cell is your maximum FDP.
Average flight duration is the total scheduled flight time divided by the number of flights. Positioning (dead-head) legs do not count as flights for choosing the column, but positioning time still counts as duty.
Prefer to just get the answer? The FDP calculator does this lookup for you and shows which row and column it used, plus the augmented-crew and split-duty adjustments.
Acclimatization
The tables above are read using a start time that is the local time at the place you are acclimatized to — not necessarily the clock on the wall where the FDP begins (700.28(5); AC 700-047 § 4.22–4.26).
- If you are acclimatized to the place the FDP begins, the start time is simply local time. Use that row.
- If you are not acclimatized to that place, convert your report time to the local time at the zone you are still acclimatized to, and use that row.
Because the home‑zone equivalent is often earlier in the day, the maximum FDP can drop sharply.
Worked examples (from AC 700-047 § 4.22). Acclimatized to Calgary (Mountain), you report in Toronto (Eastern) at 07:00 local. Toronto is two zones east, so your start time for the table is 05:00 — use the 05:00–05:59 row, not 07:00–12:59. Acclimatized to Halifax (Atlantic), you report in Vancouver (Pacific) at 07:00 local. Your start time for the table is 11:00 — still the 07:00–12:59 row.
When you count as acclimatized
An operator may assume you are acclimatized to your home‑base time zone unless previous duty has acclimatized you somewhere else. Only operating or positioning to a new zone — and then spending enough time there — changes it; a there‑and‑back trip the next day does not (AC 700-047 § 4.23).
After leaving the zone you are acclimatized to, you become acclimatized to the new location once required rest has been provided and you have spent:
| Time-zone difference from where you were acclimatized | Time in the new zone before you count as acclimatized | CARs |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 4 hours | 72 hours | 700.28(5)(a) |
| 4 hours or more | 96 hours | 700.28(5)(b) |
Alternatively (700.28(5)(c)), your acclimatized time shifts 1 hour toward the new zone for every 24 hours spent there — so the table row you use moves an hour at a time until you are fully acclimatized.
Although 700.28(5) names only subsections (2)–(4), AC 700-047 § 4.23 confirms it also applies to the day‑VFR table in subsection (9).
Positioning, standby and time zones
- Positioning after you report counts as flight duty time, but a positioning leg is not counted as one of the “flights” for choosing the table column (700.28(6)).
- A standby flight duty period begins when you report for duty at the location the operator designates (700.28(8)).
- The Canadian time zones for this purpose are Pacific, Mountain, Central, Eastern, and Atlantic (which includes Newfoundland and Labrador) (700.28(7)).
The verbatim wording of all nine subsections is in Regulation text — CARs 700.28 below.
When this applies
Section 700.28 has applied to 705 (airline) operations since 12 December 2020 and to 703 / 704 (air taxi and commuter) operations since 12 December 2022. Until the 703/704 date, those operators were allowed to keep complying with the former flight-time and duty rules.
Related
- FDP calculator
- Split flight duty (700.50) — a break in suitable accommodation that can extend the maximum FDP
- Augmented crew (700.60) — an extra pilot and a rest facility raise the maximum FDP
- Disruptive schedules (700.41)
- What “acclimatized” means
Regulation text — CARs 700.28
Reproduced from the consolidated Canadian Aviation Regulations ( SOR/96-433) on the Justice Laws website. CARs 700.28
700.28 (1) An air operator shall not assign a flight duty period to a flight crew member, and a flight crew member shall not accept such an assignment, if the flight duty period exceeds the maximum flight duty period set out in this section.
(2) If the average duration of all scheduled flights is less than 30 minutes, the maximum period of a flight duty period that begins during a period set out in column 1 of the table to this subsection is the number of hours set out in column 2, 3 or 4, according to the number of flights scheduled during the flight duty period.
TABLE — Maximum Flight Duty Period — Average Flight Duration of Less Than 30 Minutes
| Item | Start Time of Flight Duty Period | 1 to 11 Flights | 12 to 17 Flights | 18 or More Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24:00 to 03:59 | 9 hours | 9 hours | 9 hours |
| 2 | 04:00 to 04:59 | 10 hours | 9 hours | 9 hours |
| 3 | 05:00 to 05:59 | 11 hours | 10 hours | 9 hours |
| 4 | 06:00 to 06:59 | 12 hours | 11 hours | 10 hours |
| 5 | 07:00 to 12:59 | 13 hours | 12 hours | 11 hours |
| 6 | 13:00 to 16:59 | 12.5 hours | 11.5 hours | 10.5 hours |
| 7 | 17:00 to 21:59 | 12 hours | 11 hours | 10 hours |
| 8 | 22:00 to 22:59 | 11 hours | 10 hours | 9 hours |
| 9 | 23:00 to 23:59 | 10 hours | 9 hours | 9 hours |
(3) If the average duration of all scheduled flights is 30 minutes or more but less than 50 minutes, the maximum period of a flight duty period that begins during a period set out in column 1 of the table to this subsection shall not exceed the number of hours set out in column 2, 3 or 4, according to the number of flights scheduled during the flight duty period.
TABLE — Maximum Flight Duty Period — Average Flight Duration of 30 Minutes or More but Less Than 50 Minutes
| Item | Start Time of Flight Duty Period | 1 to 7 Flights | 8 to 11 Flights | 12 or More Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24:00 to 03:59 | 9 hours | 9 hours | 9 hours |
| 2 | 04:00 to 04:59 | 10 hours | 9 hours | 9 hours |
| 3 | 05:00 to 05:59 | 11 hours | 10 hours | 9 hours |
| 4 | 06:00 to 06:59 | 12 hours | 11 hours | 10 hours |
| 5 | 07:00 to 12:59 | 13 hours | 12 hours | 11 hours |
| 6 | 13:00 to 16:59 | 12.5 hours | 11.5 hours | 10.5 hours |
| 7 | 17:00 to 21:59 | 12 hours | 11 hours | 10 hours |
| 8 | 22:00 to 22:59 | 11 hours | 10 hours | 9 hours |
| 9 | 23:00 to 23:59 | 10 hours | 9 hours | 9 hours |
(4) If the average duration of all scheduled flights is 50 minutes or more, the maximum period of a flight duty period that begins during a period set out in column 1 of the table to this subsection shall not exceed the number of hours set out in column 2, 3 or 4, according to the number of flights scheduled during the flight duty period.
TABLE — Maximum Flight Duty Period — Average Flight Duration of 50 Minutes or More
| Item | Start Time of Flight Duty Period | 1 to 4 Flights | 5 or 6 Flights | 7 or More Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24:00 to 03:59 | 9 hours | 9 hours | 9 hours |
| 2 | 04:00 to 04:59 | 10 hours | 9 hours | 9 hours |
| 3 | 05:00 to 05:59 | 11 hours | 10 hours | 9 hours |
| 4 | 06:00 to 06:59 | 12 hours | 11 hours | 10 hours |
| 5 | 07:00 to 12:59 | 13 hours | 12 hours | 11 hours |
| 6 | 13:00 to 16:59 | 12.5 hours | 11.5 hours | 10.5 hours |
| 7 | 17:00 to 21:59 | 12 hours | 11 hours | 10 hours |
| 8 | 22:00 to 22:59 | 11 hours | 10 hours | 9 hours |
| 9 | 23:00 to 23:59 | 10 hours | 9 hours | 9 hours |
(5) For the purposes of subsections (2) to (4), a flight crew member is considered to be acclimatized if
- (a) in the case of a time zone difference of less than four hours between local time and the time at the last location where the member was acclimatized, any rest periods required under these Regulations have been provided and the member has spent 72 hours in the same time zone;
- (b) in the case of a time zone difference of four hours or more between local time and the time at the last location where the member was acclimatized, any rest periods required under these Regulations have been provided and the member has spent 96 hours in the same time zone; or
- (c) the member has spent 24 hours in the same time zone for each hour of difference between local time and the time at the last location where the member was acclimatized.
(6) For the purposes of subsections (2) to (4), positioning is not to be considered a flight.
(7) For the purposes of subsection (5), the Canadian time zones are Pacific, Mountain, Central, Eastern, and the Atlantic time zone, which includes Newfoundland and Labrador.
(8) The flight duty period for a flight crew member on standby begins at the time at which they report for duty at the location designated by the air operator.
(9) When all flights are conducted under day VFR, the maximum period of a flight duty period that begins during a period set out in column 1 of the table to this subsection shall not exceed the number of hours set out in column 2.
TABLE — Maximum Flight Duty Period — Flights Conducted Under Day VFR
| Item | Start Time of Flight Duty Period | Maximum Flight Duty Period |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24:00 to 03:59 | 9 hours |
| 2 | 04:00 to 04:59 | 10 hours |
| 3 | 05:00 to 05:59 | 11 hours |
| 4 | 06:00 to 06:59 | 12 hours |
| 5 | 07:00 to 12:59 | 13 hours |
| 6 | 13:00 to 16:59 | 12.5 hours |
| 7 | 17:00 to 21:59 | 12 hours |
| 8 | 22:00 to 22:59 | 11 hours |
| 9 | 23:00 to 23:59 | 10 hours |
What changed in 2018
In plain language
Before the 2018 fatigue rules, the maximum flight duty period was set mainly by flight time and a fixed 14-hour duty day (extendable to 17 with rest). Section 700.28 replaces that with science-based tables: the limit now moves with the body clock — the time of day the duty starts — and with workload, measured by the number of flights and their average length. Starting in the window of circadian low (roughly overnight and early morning) gives the shortest limits; a mid-morning start gives the longest.
Paraphrased from Advisory Circular 700-047 .