Legal Interpretations
Schwarz 2007
Summary
The Question
Do the FAA's prior interpretations of the rest requirements in 14 CFR 135.267(f) remain valid and apply to on-demand charter operators holding Part 135 certificates?
Background
An individual asked about 14 CFR 135.267(f), which requires each flight crewmember to receive at least 13 rest periods of at least 24 consecutive hours in each calendar quarter.
The FAA’s Interpretation
Yes to both. The FAA reaffirmed its 2005 interpretation to Summit Jet and the earlier ones it relied on: rest must be continuous, known in advance, and free from all restraint by the certificate holder, and the 24-hour rest period has the same nature. Each flight crewmember must actually receive at least 13 such periods every quarter, and this applies to any flight under a Part 135 certificate, including on-demand charter.
- Requester
- Schwarz
- Issued
- November 16, 2007
- Subject
- Flight & Duty Time
Regulations Cited
Page 1
U.S. Department
of Transportation
Federal Aviotion
Admlnistrotion
NOV l 6 2<J07
Frederick W. Schwarz
RE: Legal Interpretation of 14 C.F.R. 135.267(f)(Subpart F)
Dear Mr. Schwarz:
This responds to your letter requests dated October 12, 2007 and October 20, 2007 that involve an interpretation of 14 C.F.R. section 135.267(f) which states:
135.267(f)(Subpart F) - ••The certificate holder must provide each flight crewmember at least 13 rest periods of at least 24 consecutive hours each in each calendar quarter." First, your requests ask whether several past FAA legal int,erpretations involving the rest provisions and definitions are still valid. The answer is "yes." The FAA most recently interpreted 14 C.F.R. 267(f) in a letter from Rebecca B. MacPherson, Assistant Chief Counsel, Regulations Division to Michael T. Brazill, Director of Operations, Summit Jet L.L.C. dated December 19, 2005. This letter and the previous FAA interpretations upon which it is based are still valid.
Specifically, the FAA reiterates its definition of "rest period" as stated in that letter: · "The nature of the 'daily' rest period is the same, regardless of the applicable subpart. Rest must be I) continuous, 2) detennined prospectively (i.e., known in advance), and 3) free from all restraint by the certificate holder, including freedom from work or freedom from present responsibility for work should the occasion arise ... . In addition, the nature of the 24-hour rest period is the same as the nature of the 'daily' rest period." (underline in original) Second, your letter asks whether the rest provisions and definitions apply specifically to on demand charter operators with 13 5 air carrier certificates. The answer is "yes." As stated in its 2005 legal interpretation sent to Mr. Brazill cited above, "[t]he relevant showing that Summit Jet must make under the regulation is that each flight crewrnember actually receives at least U rest periods in every quarter. If Summit Jet cannot do so, it has not satisfied the regulation's plain requirement." (underline in original) This statement applies to all operators who chose to operate a flight under its 135 air carrier certificate whether it is an "on demand charter" flight or any other designation.
Page 2
This response was prepared by Bruce Glendening, Attorney in the Regulations Division of the Office of the Chief Counsel and has been coordinated with the Flight Standards Service at FAA Headquarters. If you have additional questions regarding this matter, please contact us at your convenience at (202) 267-3073.
Sincerely,
~ct...:V-Assistant Chief Counsel
Regulations Division (AGC-200)
Regulations Referenced
Snapshot retrieved August 6, 2026.