A flightcrew member is scheduled to report for an early-morning flight duty period but, two hours before report time, experiences significant fatigue due to a personal emergency the previous night. Under 14 CFR 117.5, what is the flightcrew member required to do?
- AReport for duty but ask the other pilot to perform all takeoffs and landings
- BWait until arriving at the airport to decide whether to fly
- CProactively notify the certificate holder of the fatigue and remove themselves from the flight duty period
- DReport for duty as scheduled since the fatigue occurred off duty
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Proactively notify the certificate holder of the fatigue and remove themselves from the flight duty period
14 CFR 117.5(c) places an affirmative duty on flightcrew members to proactively report to the certificate holder any fatigue that could adversely affect their performance of assigned duties, and to remove themselves from a flight duty period if fatigued. This shared responsibility complements the certificate holder's duty under 117.5(b) not to assign an FDP that would compromise safety.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Splitting duties does not satisfy the regulatory reporting/removal obligation
- B. Waiting until arrival delays required proactive notification
- D. Fatigue affecting performance must be proactively reported regardless of when it arose
Fitness for Duty (117.5)
Part 117 requires both certificate holders and flightcrew members to share responsibility for fatigue management, including proactive self-reporting by crewmembers.
- 117.5(b): certificate holder cannot assign an FDP likely to result in impairment
- 117.5(c): crewmember must proactively report fatigue
- Fatigued crewmembers must remove themselves from duty
Memory trick: Feel foggy? Flag it fast—fitness for duty is a two-way street.