Regulation Text
(a) No program manager may assign any flight crewmember, and no flight crewmember may accept an assignment, for flight time as a member of a one- or two-pilot crew if that crewmember's total flight time in all commercial flying will exceed—
(1) 500 hours in any calendar quarter;
(2) 800 hours in any two consecutive calendar quarters;
(3) 1,400 hours in any calendar year.
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, during any 24 consecutive hours the total flight time of the assigned flight, when added to any commercial flying by that flight crewmember, may not exceed—
(1) 8 hours for a flight crew consisting of one pilot; or
(2) 10 hours for a flight crew consisting of two pilots qualified under this subpart for the operation being conducted.
(c) No program manager may assign any flight crewmember, and no flight crewmember may accept an assignment, if that crewmember's flight time or duty period will exceed, or rest time will be less than—
Normal duty Extension of flight time (1) Minimum Rest Immediately Before Duty 10 Hours 10 Hours. (2) Duty Period Up to 14 Hours Up to 14 Hours. (3) Flight Time For 1 Pilot Up to 8 Hours Exceeding 8 Hours up to 9 Hours. (4) Flight Time For 2 Pilots Up to 10 Hours Exceeding 10 Hours up to 12 Hours. (5) Minimum After Duty Rest 10 Hours 12 Hours. (6) Minimum After Duty Rest Period for Multi-Time Zone Flights 14 Hours 18 Hours.The short answer
(14 CFR § 91.1059) For one- or two-pilot crews, total commercial flight time may not exceed 500 hours per calendar quarter, 800 in two consecutive quarters, or 1,400 per calendar year. In any 24 hours, flight time is capped at 8 hours (one pilot) or 10 hours (two pilots).
Research Notes
Common Questions
What are the maximum flight-time limits under § 91.1059?
Cumulative commercial flying caps apply across quarter, two-quarter, and annual windows.
“(1) 500 hours in any calendar quarter; (2) 800 hours in any two consecutive calendar quarters; (3) 1,400 hours in any calendar year.” — 14 CFR § 91.1059(a)
How much flight time is allowed in 24 consecutive hours?
Eight hours for a single-pilot crew, ten hours for a qualified two-pilot crew.
“(1) 8 hours for a flight crew consisting of one pilot; or (2) 10 hours for a flight crew consisting of two pilots qualified under this subpart for the operation being conducted.” — 14 CFR § 91.1059(b)
What is the minimum rest before duty, and the duty-period limit?
Minimum rest immediately before duty is 10 hours, and the duty period may run up to 14 hours; with extended flight time, after-duty rest increases to 12 hours (18 for multi-time-zone flights).
“Minimum Rest Immediately Before Duty—10 Hours… Duty Period—Up to 14 Hours… Minimum After Duty Rest—10 Hours [12 Hours with extension].” — 14 CFR § 91.1059(c)
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