Who holds the responsibility to ensure that flight duty time is not exceeded in air taxi operations?

In air taxi operations, the responsibility to ensure that flight duty time is not exceeded lies with both the flight crew member and the air operator. This dual responsibility recognizes that safe operational practices require input and vigilance from both parties.

The flight crew is responsible for adhering to the regulations governing flight duty times, which are designed to prevent fatigue and ensure pilot alertness during operations. They must monitor their own duty time and report any concerns regarding their ability to operate safely within those limits.

Simultaneously, the air operator has the overarching obligation to establish operating procedures that comply with regulatory standards, including monitoring flight crew duty times. The operator must also provide systems in place that allow flight crews to adhere to these limits effectively. This includes ensuring that crew scheduling practices prevent conflicts that could lead to exceeding duty time and providing adequate resources for flight crews to verify their limits.

Thus, the combination of accountability from both the flight crew and the air operator creates a more robust safety framework, emphasizing that operational safety is a shared responsibility.