New US pilot fatigue rules to be proposed

US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is expected to propose today (10-Sep-2010) new rules governing the number of hours pilots are able to work (AP/Bloomberg, 09-Sep-2010). The FAA has taken 15 months to propose the rules, with the aim of the broad package to replace rigid, decades-old work rules with flexible, more scientifically based safety standards detailing maximum periods commercial pilots can be on duty. The rules are likely to involve the adjustment of pilot work and rest scheduled based on time of day, the number of take-offs, the duration of a trip and the body clocks of cockpit crew.