Originally Posted by
Chuck Essential
Not having it both ways, Denny, and not intended to be confusing or contradictory. Allow me to try again:
At report, a pilot is either fit for duty or not. If not, the pilot should not begin the FDP.
I agree with this but it is NOT what you said.
Don’t let the “. . . including an extension.” cloud the fit for duty question at the beginning of a FDP. The extension does not become an issue until the point in time during the FDP that the extension is needed, and the determination of fit for duty for that extension would also occur at that time.
Agreed, but your original statement said one should sign in and be fit for duty AND the extension.
Once a FDP begins, circumstances could occur that change a pilot’s assessment as to whether one is fit for duty or not. Example, a pilot begins a FDP that is scheduled for five legs. After leg two, the pilot is notified of a member in his/her family being involved in a serious automobile accident. Such an occurrence, in the midst of an operating FDP, could render a pilot unfit for duty.
The point being, “fit for duty” is a continuous assessment on the part of the pilot throughout the FDP, whether operating during an extension or not.
Bottom line: You should not be fearful of making a decision regarding whether you are fit for duty.
I was just trying to get you to clarify that, when one signs in, one is saying s/he is fit for the scheduled duty period. Fitness for the extension is determined later.
Denny