FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATM)Regulations (14 CFR 117/121/61)Hard
A Part 121 dispatcher is planning a flight duty period that includes a scheduled split duty rest period to extend the maximum FDP under 14 CFR 117.15. What is the minimum length of the scheduled rest period, provided in a suitable accommodation, required to qualify for a split duty extension?
- A5 consecutive hours
- B3 consecutive hours
- C2 consecutive hours
- D8 consecutive hours
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. 3 consecutive hours
14 CFR 117.15 requires the scheduled split duty rest period to be at least 3 consecutive hours long and occur in a suitable accommodation for the extension to be applied to the maximum FDP in Table B. Shorter breaks do not qualify for the split duty extension.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 5 hours exceeds the minimum but is not the threshold value.
- C. 2 hours is too short to meet the minimum split duty rest requirement.
- D. 8 hours would functionally approach a full rest period, not split duty.
Split Duty Rest (117.15)
A scheduled break of at least 3 consecutive hours in a suitable accommodation during an FDP that allows an extension of the maximum flight duty period under Table B.
- Minimum 3 consecutive hours required
- Must be scheduled in advance
- Extension length depends on rest period duration, up to specified limits
Memory trick: 'Three hours to snooze, extend the cruise' — 3-hr minimum break stretches your FDP.