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This answer says that a pilot who is not flying (PNF) can make use of a procedure called In-Seat Rest to take a nap during flight.

A comment on the same answer says that this is illegal in the US, but allowed in the EU. Is that true? Where else is it allowed and not allowed?

Is this procedure used regularly in the EU (and other places where it is legal)? Do airline SOPs restrict it?

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  • $\begingroup$ It is also allowed in Canada. Most airline SOPs encourage it because it is cheaper than adding extra pilots to allow for proper rest breaks. $\endgroup$ – Mike Sowsun Apr 9 at 17:07
  • $\begingroup$ There is a complicated list of factors relating to maximum duty time and minimum crew rest. In seat rest does not substitute for rest in a bunk. $\endgroup$ – Max Power Aug 25 at 7:05
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    $\begingroup$ @MaxPower if you can summarise the factors and turn your comment into an answer, I'll be happy to accept it! $\endgroup$ – jbg Aug 26 at 8:04
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Too complex for me to give a specific answer, and this answer is assuming only airline transport not private flights or business charters. Duty time limits are different for every country and may involve several pages of tables and definitions, airlines hire people just to track and comply with this.

  • Time of day relative to the pilots home timezone. If they are working when they are accustomed to sleeping then allowable hours are reduced.
  • The number of pilots on duty and length of single flight. A flight with 4 pilots is allowed longer shifts than 3 pilots, and a single pilot aircraft will restrict flight time per week more than 2 pilot aircraft.
  • Total hours worked per week.
  • Time between rest breaks, length of rest breaks, and location of rest breaks (eg at duty station, break area but expecting quick response(awake), break area without quick response(sleep in bunk)
  • Shift length, generally the whole period between breaks of 8 or more hours on the ground.(8 hours will vary with jurisdiction, ie some are 7 hours or 10 hours) For example if starting work after holiday: work 8 hours, off for 6 hours, work 7 hours, off for 10 hours. In many jurisdictions this would legally be considered a single shift of 21 hours with a 6 hour meal break.
  • Days between full 24hour rest days or number of 24hour rest days per month.
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  • $\begingroup$ Good summary, but duty time limitations have nothing to do with in-seat rest. $\endgroup$ – busdriver Oct 1 at 8:40
  • $\begingroup$ Now that would depend on the regulations in your jurisdiction. Would it not? $\endgroup$ – Max Power Oct 7 at 1:31

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