Why Ultra-Long-Haul Flights Still Need 4 Pilots In The Cockpit For Takeoff

Even in the 21st century, flying an ultra-long-haul commercial jetliner halfway around the globe cannot be completed by one or even two pilots. Despite how far technology has come with the advent of fly-by-wire and advanced autopilot, there are still four pilots required to fly the longest 17-or 18-hour ULH missions. This comes down to the Code of Federal Regulations that limits pilots to flying no more than eight to nine hours in a single duty day under Part 117 and dictates that missions over 17 hours require four pilots aboard.