FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATM)Regulations (14 CFR 117/121/61)Medium
A Part 121 operator wants to schedule the maximum permissible flight duty period for a three-pilot augmented crew under Part 117 Table B. Which class of rest facility must be installed on the airplane to achieve the longest allowable FDP?
- AClass 2 rest facility (seat separated from passengers, reclines 40 degrees)
- BNo rest facility is required regardless of crew size
- CClass 1 rest facility (bunk isolated from flight deck and cabin, allows flat rest)
- DClass 3 rest facility (seat in passenger cabin, reclines 40 degrees)
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Class 1 rest facility (bunk isolated from flight deck and cabin, allows flat rest)
Part 117 Table B ties the maximum augmented FDP to the quality of the on-board rest facility. A Class 1 facility (a separate bunk isolated from noise, light, and disturbance, allowing a flat sleeping position) provides the best rest and therefore permits the longest FDP values in the table, compared to Class 2 or Class 3 seats.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Class 2 provides an intermediate FDP allowance, better than Class 3 but less than Class 1.
- B. A rest facility is mandatory for augmented operations exceeding unaugmented FDP limits.
- D. Class 3 (recline-only cabin seat) yields the shortest augmented FDP limits.
Part 117 Rest Facility Classes
Part 117 defines three rest facility classes (1, 2, 3) used for augmented crew operations; better facility quality allows longer FDPs under Table B.
- Class 1: isolated bunk, flat sleep, best rest
- Class 2: separate seat, 40° recline, isolated from passengers
- Class 3: cabin/flight deck seat, 40° recline, least isolation
- Higher class number = lower rest quality = shorter max FDP
Memory trick: 'Class 1 is the crown jewel bunk' — best rest, longest duty allowed.