Flight Crew Members at their Stations

Crew Members at their Stations

Flight Crew

Each required flight crew member shall be at their station when:
• Anticipating/copying a pre-flight or in-flight ATC clearance; and
• During take-off, climb, descent, and landing.

During all other phases of flight, each required flight crew member shall remain at their station unless their absence is necessary for the performance of duties in connection with the operation, or for physiological needs.

If a pilot is required to leave the cockpit, the other pilot must remain at the controls of the aeroplane, using a headset and shoulder harnesses. No seat changes shall be made below 10.000 ft AAL.

Caution: When only one pilot is on the flight deck there should be no unnecessary calls in order to keep distraction to a minimum.

The procedure for all aircraft fitted with surveillance camera(s) is:
• When a member of the flight crew needs to leave the flight deck the cabin crew must be notified;
• A cabin crew member must position herself outside the flight deck door facing the passengers;
• The flight crew member shall check on the CCTV screen that the cabin crew member is in position before opening the door and leaving the flight deck;
• Once the flight deck door is closed it is not necessary for the cabin crew member to guard the flight deck door until such time that it needs to be opened again to allow the pilot to return.

Note: It is not necessary for a cabin crew member to be present in the flight deck during this time.

The procedure for all aircraft without (operational) surveillance camera(s) is:

• When a member of the flight crew needs to leave the flight deck the cabin crew must be notified;
• Two cabin crew members must position themselves at the front of the cabin;
• Entry to the flight deck shall be obtained via the interphone;
• One cabin crew member shall stand outside the flight deck door facing the passengers;
• The other cabin crew member shall enter the flight deck and remain there until the flight crew member is ready to return; •Re-entry into the flight deck by the flight crew member shall be obtained via the interphone;
• The cabin crew member in the flight deck shall check their presence outside by using the spy-hole in the door;
• Once the flight crew member is inside the cabin crew member can leave the flight deck. The second cabin crew member must remain to guard the flight deck door continuously during this time.

At all times, at least one pilot must be in a position to:
• Maintain a lookout,
• Have unobstructed access to the flight controls and oxygen mask, and
• Maintain alertness and situational awareness.

All non-essential activities should be avoided during phases of flight where workload is high. At any other time, if these activities are being performed, the Commander should ensure that only one flight crewmember is so occupied at any one time and that careful attention is being paid to normal operational duties by other crew member(s).

Cabin Crew

Each cabin crew member shall be in their assigned seats, during take-off and landing, and whenever it is deemed necessary by the Commander in the interest of safety (PA callout: »CABIN CREW, AT STATIONS«). Any additional cabin staff that cannot be accommodated in the regular cabin crew seats, will normally occupy passenger seats, or at Commander's discretion, a spare seat in the cockpit.

During taxiing, cabin crew should be seated with their seat harness fastened. Walking or standing in the cabin is allowed only:
• For issues directly related to safety in the cabin;
• For the announcements and demonstrations to the passengers;
• For other valid operational reasons, with the approval of the Commander.

After take-off, cabin crew may unfasten their seat harness after the seat belt signs have been switched OFF. However, approval may be given by the Commander via Interphone to unfasten seat harness at any time.

Controlled Rest

Flight Crew

During all phases of flight each flight crew member required to be on flight deck duty shall remain alerted. If a lack of alertness is encountered, appropriate countermeasures shall be used. If unexpected fatigue is experienced a controlled rest procedure, organised by the Commander, can be used if workload permits.

Important: Controlled rest taken in this way may never be considered to be part of a rest period for purposes of calculating flight time limitations nor used to justify any duty period.

Controlled rest should be used in conjunction with other onboard fatigue management countermeasures such as physical exercise, bright cockpit illumination at appropriate times, balanced eating and drinking, and intellectual activity.

Requirements:
• Controlled rest procedures must not be used by a two-member flight crew when cabin crew are not carried;
• Controlled rest procedures may only be used when workload is low during cruise phase of the flight, between completion of the top of climb scan and 30 minutes before topping of descent;
• Controlled rest procedures shall not be used:
   - Over flight plan segments that require the use of escape routes, or
   - Over flight plan segments that transit multiple ATC environments, while manual fuel transfer or fuel balancing is taking place.
• During periods of controlled rest procedures, the non-resting crew member must wear his seatbelt including shoulder harness, and headset.

The Commander is responsible for planning and the use of controlled rest. He must take into account considerations of airmanship, weather, workload, aeroplane serviceability and fatigue levels.

Pre-Rest Period:
Pre-rest period activities shall include:
• Addressing physiological needs;
• A briefing with the CIC advising that controlled rest will be taking place. The

Commander must brief the CIC regarding the intended implementation of controlled rest procedures, the anticipated duration of the period and any other considerations;
• An operational briefing which will include fuel check, aeroplane status, flight progress, anticipated conditions, fatigue level of the non-resting flight crew member and time of planned awakening;
• A review of criteria for waking-up the resting flight crew member prior to the end of rest period which includes but is not limited to:
   - Any abnormal or emergency situation,
   - Any circumstances not characterised as low workload,
   - Thunderstorm activity.

Rest Procedures:
• Each controlled rest period shall be limited to 45 minutes with another 10 minutes allowed for operational orientation before resuming flight deck duties (unless required due to an abnormal or emergency situation). The maximum rest time has been chosen to limit deep sleep with consequent long recovery time (sleep inertia);
• Controlled rest must be taken by only one flight crew member at a time;
• The flight crew member who is resting must continue to occupy his normal control seat. The harness should be used and the seat positioned to the aft position to minimise unintentional interference with the controls. Personal equipment which may facilitate the rest, such as eye shades, ear plugs and neck supports is permitted;
• The non-resting flight crew member must remain in his normal control seat;
• The Commander must brief the CIC regarding the intended implementation of controlled rest procedures, the anticipated duration of the period and any other considerations. When one pilot is resting, the non-resting pilot must make frequent contact (at least once every 20 minutes) with the cabin crew over the interphone to confirm his alertness. In the event of failure of contact from the cockpit to cabin, the CIC shall contact the cockpit immediately using all available means;
• If necessary, the flight crew member may take more than one rest period if time permits on longer sectors, subject to restrictions above;
• The non-resting flight crew member shall wake up the resting flight crew member when required or at the predetermined time. Calling the person's name in a normal tone is usually sufficient;
• The non-resting flight crew member shall wake up the resting flight crew member when required or at the predetermined time. Calling the person's name in a normal tone is usually sufficient.

Cabin Crew

On long flights, there is a significant performance benefit to crew members from short periods of controlled rest. Cabin crew may avail controlled rest whenever the service is over and in between services, if it is a multi-service sector.

Criteria for implementation:
• The CIC is responsible for implementing controlled crew rest and is accountable for adequate procedure implementation;
• The Commander shall be advised prior to the application of cabin crew rest;
• The CIC will nominate a cabin crew member to take over CIC duties during their crew rest period;
• Crew rest will commence only on completion of the first in-flight service;
• Crew rest must be completed latest 30 minutes prior to top of descent;
• Only 1 cabin crew member at a time may be permitted crew rest;
• The CIC may disrupt or cease crew rest at any time should in-flight circumstances dictate.

Location of Crew Rest:
Cabin crew may utilise any of the following areas for the purpose of crew rest:
• Blocked and screened passenger seats (if applicable);
• The last row of economy class seats, if they are not occupied by passengers;
• Assigned cabin crew jump seats.

Safety Notes:
• Cabin shall be patrolled at least every 30 min;
• Toilettes shall be checked at least every 15 min;
• CIC will nominate cabin crew member to take over when he/she is having seat rest, Commander shall be informed.

Deadheading (Positioning) Crews

Deadheading crews should be seated at or near the emergency exits, preferably in the first rows. If possible, no other passengers should be seated in the same row.