FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATM)Regulations (14 CFR 117/121/61)Medium
Under 14 CFR Part 117, a flightcrew member is considered 'acclimated' to a theater for purposes of determining applicable flight duty period limits when:
- AThe flightcrew member has been within the theater for at least 72 hours, or has had at least 36 consecutive hours free of duty within the previous 168 hours while in the theater
- BThe flightcrew member's home base and theater share the same time zone
- CThe flightcrew member has completed at least one full rest period at any theater within the last 30 days
- DThe flightcrew member has flown at least three flight segments within the theater in the preceding week
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. The flightcrew member has been within the theater for at least 72 hours, or has had at least 36 consecutive hours free of duty within the previous 168 hours while in the theater
14 CFR 117.3 defines 'acclimated' based on either dwell time (72 hours in theater) or a break pattern (36 consecutive hours free of duty within the previous 168 hours in that theater). Acclimated status determines which look-back time (theater time vs. home base time) is used to apply Table B FDP limits.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Time zone match alone does not define acclimation under Part 117.
- C. Rest at 'any theater' is irrelevant; acclimation is theater-specific.
- D. Flight segment count is not part of the acclimation definition.
Acclimated (Part 117)
A flightcrew member is acclimated to a theater if in that theater 72+ hours, or has had 36 consecutive hours free of duty there within the previous 168 hours.
- Defined in 117.3
- Determines which time zone's clock is used for FDP limits
- Affects Table B lookup for max FDP
Memory trick: '72 or 36' — stay 72 hours or grab a 36-hour break to call it home.