DGCA FDTL calculator
Enter when you report, how many landings you'll make and what you've flown lately. You get the DGCA flight duty, flight time and rest limits that apply to the duty, each with the rule's own words.
The calculator needs JavaScript. Every limit it applies is in the tables below, with the rule text.
The limits for one duty: Table 6.1
Two-pilot operations, "during any 24 hrs". A flight duty period runs from report to engines off after the last flight.
| Landings | Max flight time | Max flight duty period | Para |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10:00 | 13:00 | 6.1.3 |
| 2 | 9:00 | 13:00 | 6.1.2 |
| 3 | 8:00 | 12:30 | 6.1.1 |
| 4 | 8:00 | 12:00 | 6.1.1 |
| 5 | 8:00 | 11:30 | 6.1.1 |
| 6 | 8:00 | 11:00 | 6.1.1 |
| Night: up to 2 | 8:00 | 10:00 | 6.1.4 |
“Any Duty Period encroaching upon any portion of the time period between 0000 hrs and 0600 hrs in the time zone to which the crew is acclimatized.”
CAR 7-J-III, Revision 2, 26 March 2024, para 3.11
“The maximum duty period during any 24 hours shall not be more than one hour beyond maximum allowable Flight Duty Period as stated in Para 6.1 and Para 7.”
CAR 7-J-III, Revision 2, 26 March 2024, para 6.2
“Maximum number of Landings in Para 6.1.4 may be increased to 04 for Cargo Operations only.”
CAR 7-J-III, Revision 2, 26 March 2024, para 6.2 Note 3
Cumulative limits: para 8
| In any | Flight time | Duty period | Para |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 consecutive days | 35 hours | 60 hours | 8.1 |
| 14 consecutive days | 65 hours | 100 hours | 8.2 |
| 28 consecutive days | 100 hours | 190 hours | 8.3 |
| 90 consecutive days | 300 hours | 600 hours | 8.4 |
| 365 consecutive days | 1000 hours | 1800 hours | 8.5 |
Rest: paras 10 and 13
“The minimum rest, which must be provided before undertaking a flight duty period, shall be: a) At least as long as the preceding duty period, OR b) i) 12 hours ii) 18 hours for crossing more than 3, up to 7 time zones iii) 36 hours for crossing more than 7 time zones whichever is greater.”
CAR 7-J-III, Revision 2, 26 March 2024, para 10.1
“If the preceding duty period, which includes any time spent on positioning, exceeds 18 hours, then the ensuing rest period shall include a local night”
CAR 7-J-III, Revision 2, 26 March 2024, para 10.4
“Period of transportation to and from an airport shall neither be counted towards duty time nor rest period. However, if the transportation time is more than 30 minutes, the rest shall increase by twice of time above 30 minutes.”
CAR 7-J-III, Revision 2, 26 March 2024, para 10.5
“An operator shall ensure that the minimum weekly rest of continuous 48 hours including two local nights is provided such that there shall never be more than 168 hours between the end of one weekly rest period and the start of the next.”
CAR 7-J-III, Revision 2, 26 March 2024, para 10.6
“The weekly rest shall be increased to 60 hours including 2 local nights in the event that the crew undertakes more than 3 duties wherein the flight duty period encroaches in to the Night Duty period, in the preceding 168 hrs. period.”
CAR 7-J-III, Revision 2, 26 March 2024, para 10.6.1
“Flight crew shall neither be detailed nor undertake any flight duty between periods embracing 0000 to 0600 hrs local time for more than two consecutive nights except once within a period of 168 hours.”
CAR 7-J-III, Revision 2, 26 March 2024, para 13.1
What this calculator leaves out
- Augmented crews (three or four pilots, para 7), ultra-long range flights (para 15), split duty (para 9), standby (para 11) and base training (para 14).
- Extensions for unforeseen operational circumstances. The CAR allows up to 1 hour more flight time and 2 hours more FDP, within 28-day caps and with the commander's consent (para 16.1).
- The window of circadian low (02:00 to 06:00). The page shows the CAR's note when your duty starts in it, but doesn't apply it, because the note names only paras 6.1.3 and 7.1.
- Flying beyond the acclimatised zone, where a night duty falls under para 6.1.3 instead of 6.1.4.
“When the FDP starts in the WOCL, the maximum FDP stated in Para 6.1.3 and Para 7.1 of this CAR shall be reduced by 100% of its encroachment up to a maximum of 2 hours. When the FDP ends in or fully encompasses the WOCL, the maximum FDP stated in the table shall be reduced by 50% of its encroachment.”
CAR 7-J-III, Revision 2, 26 March 2024, para 7.1 Note # 2
“FDTL limits given in this Document are the ‘outer limits’ and should be treated as such.”
CAR 7-J-III, Revision 2, 26 March 2024, para 4.8
Your operator's FDTL scheme is approved by DGCA and can be stricter than the CAR. Where it is, it governs. This calculator is a planning aid, not an official tool, and it is not affiliated with DGCA.
Source: CAR Section 7, Series J, Part III, Revision 2, 26 March 2024 on dgca.gov.in. For what the rules mean in practice, read DGCA FDTL limits explained.
Questions people ask
What is the maximum flight duty period for two pilots under DGCA rules?
13 hours with 1 or 2 landings, then 30 minutes less for each extra landing, down to 11 hours with 6 landings (CAR 7-J-III Table 6.1). A flight duty period that encroaches on 00:00 to 06:00 is limited to 10 hours and 2 landings (para 6.1.4).
What counts as a night duty in the DGCA FDTL rules?
Any duty period that encroaches on any part of 00:00 to 06:00 in the time zone you are acclimatised to (para 3.11). Before the 2024 revision the window was 00:00 to 05:00.
How much rest does a pilot need before a flight duty in India?
At least as long as the preceding duty period, or 12 hours, whichever is greater. The floor rises to 18 hours after crossing more than 3 time zones and 36 hours after more than 7 (para 10.1).
What is the weekly rest rule for airline pilots in India?
48 continuous hours including two local nights, with never more than 168 hours between weekly rests. It rises to 60 hours after more than 3 flight duty periods that encroached on night duty in the preceding 168 hours (paras 10.6 and 10.6.1).
Is the 2024 DGCA FDTL CAR in force?
DGCA lists CAR Section 7 Series J Part III, Revision 2 dated 26 March 2024, as current (checked 21 October 2026). IndiGo was exempted from the night-duty paras 3.11 and 6.1.4 from 5 December 2025 to 10 February 2026; that exemption has ended.
Does this calculator work for general aviation or flying schools?
No. It applies CAR 7-J-III, for scheduled air transport. Non-scheduled, commuter and general aviation fixed-wing flying follows CAR 7-J-IV, and a flying training organisation sets its own limits in its Training and Procedures Manual (CAR 7-D-I).
Keep track automatically
Pilotbook, an iPhone logbook from Tera Labs, adds up the flight time you log over rolling 7, 28 and 365 days against these limits, and imports your roster so you can see a problem before you report. It is coming soon to the App Store. See what Pilotbook does.