Pilot obligations for managing fatigue risk

Pilots must manage fatigue risk. This includes deciding not to operate an aircraft if they feel that they are unfit because of fatigue or likely to become so.

There are obligations for pilots to do this under CAO 48.1 Instrument 2019.

Each member of a flight crew has licence conditions that prevent them operating an aircraft in the case of fatigue. 

A licence holder must not commence any task for a flight – whether commercial or private – if, due to fatigue, they are or they are likely to be unfit to perform the task.

Before any flight duty period, a pilot employed by an operator should tell the operator:

• any matter a reasonable person in the pilot’s position that would negatively affect their ability to meet the operator’s fatigue risk management policies
• the pilot has achieved the limits and requirements of the appendix or appendices the holder has chosen to apply

Detailed guidance to meet these obligations is in CAAP 48-01 fatigue management for flight crew members.