India’s Post-2024 FDTL Reforms and Pilot Fatigue Risk: A Doctrinal-Comparative Benchmarking against Easa Oro.FTL and FAA Part 117

Abstract

Regulatory regimes are necessary to strike a compromise between the effective operation of air transport and viable fatigue remedies, since pilot tiredness remains one of the most persistent threats to aviation safety. To improve pilot comfort and bring the rules in line with international norms, the Indian government overhauled the Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) system in 2024. This paper compares and contrasts the revised DGCA framework for Flight Training Level (FDTL) with the US FAA Part 117 regulations and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) ORO.FTL provisions, using the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 6 and Doc 9966 as the normative standard. The research establishes regulatory discrepancies and convergences by methodically examining the linguistic provisions of legislation pertaining to flight duty durations, rest, standby, and reserve responsibilities; cumulative flight restrictions; increased crew operations; and Fatigue Risk Management Systems (FRMS).