Originally Posted by
Overnitefr8
Can anyone explain an "anchor zone"?
b. Anchor Zone Requirements
An Anchor Zone is an 8 hour period of time, scheduled free from duty, that is common throughout a specified sequence of layovers. An anchor zone is required if a pilot’s planned trip, or series of trips involves operation in the critical period. The following shall apply to trips requiring an anchor zone:
i. The Anchor Zone shall be established based on the layover immediately preceding the first operation in the critical period and shall apply going forward only. If the first duty period in a trip or series of trips involves operation in the critical period, then the anchor zone is established based on the layover following such first operation in the critical period.
ii. By providing a layover of 18 hours or greater, an anchor zone may be reset. If the anchor zone is reset, then for the purposes of the anchor zone concept, the remainder of the trip following the reset anchor zone is considered to be a separate trip. An anchor zone is not reset merely due to the existence of a layover of 18 hours or greater; an anchor zone is only considered reset if the anchor zone after the 18 hour layover does not share a common 8 hours with the anchor zone prior to the 18 hour layover.
iii. An anchor zone may not be reset more than once during any trip or series of trips.
iv. An anchor zone is not required in a layover preceding a deadheadonly duty period that concludes a trip.
v. An anchor zone is not required on a standby trip.