Is there a "black letter law" that states a pilot cannot sleep in flight?

Question

I know it sounds obvious, but I need to write a paper about this and need the actual reference in the FAR's or AIM, where ever it may be.

Answer 1

not that i know of.

Answer 2

The FARs do not explicitly say that a pilot cannot sleep during flight duty (i.e., at times when he is or must be in the cockpit at the controls).  However, other regulations effectively exclude sleeping in this situation, such as FAR 91.105 (crew members at stations), and FAR 91.13 (careless or reckless operation), and so on.  The FARs also mandate rest periods for pilots, which implies that they are not expected to be sleeping while on duty outside of rest periods.

If a pilot gets enough rest, he won't need to sleep during a flight.  Federal air regulations mandate certain periods of rest, but many operators are skilled at working around the regulations and compelling pilots and crews to work schedules that result in excessive fatigue.  As a result, pilots sometimes nap during flights (in cases where there are two pilots, that is—this obviously is not an option in small aircraft that have only one pilot).  During cruise flight, the risk from a nap is insignificant, as either pilot can handle normal cruise flight and the start of any plausible emergencies.  A pilot who sleeps at any other time is dangerously irresponsible.  And a pilot who sleeps in the cockpit is always at legal risk, even when there is no safety risk.

In summary, the rules don't explicitly forbid it, but they are written in such a way that a pilot who sleeps in the cockpit is fairly certain to violate one or more regulations.  Pilots sleep when they are excessively tired, which usually is a function of their work schedule (a pilot who simply parties the night before is being irresponsible).

Answer 3

I don't know about the far aim but the regulation probably state that if you are the Pilot in command you CANNOT sleep. However if you are on relief lets say on a 12 hour flight then you can sleep for how long I don't know

Answer 4

Dont know in the US but most other countrys allow for a max of 15min on a 2 crew aircraft. This prevents you from going into a deep sleep.

Answer 5

Well on some distant flights they have relief  crews, so the others can get sleep