It is my understanding that this has been permitted under ICAO/JAR rules for a long time.

While I think it works best in three-man cockpits (one sleeps; two monitor and are alarm-clocks), which are almost as extinct as the pure-turbojet, I think it can work wonders in a two-seat cockpit.

Whether a pilot flies one leg a day or 7, airline schedules inevitably put one on the wrong side of their circadian rythm. When that happens, it doesn't matter how much caffiene you ingest...the only solution is sleep.

And while rest periods can be madated prior to flight, no FAR can force your body to cooperate and sleep when you tell it to.

Perhaps some retrofitted alarm--such as a cattle-prod, or recording fo your wife/lead flight attendant/cranky controller telling you to get your butt up after 15 minutes would be appropo.....