Final answer:
Pilots must have a minimum of 10 hours of rest between reserve availability periods. Choice (d) 10 hours is correct, ensuring safety and adequacy in rest to prevent fatigue.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the rest requirements for pilots between reserve availability periods. According to aviation regulations, there are established minimum rest periods designed to ensure pilots are adequately rested before commencing another duty period after completing a reserve availability period. This rest requirement is crucial for maintaining pilot alertness and ensuring the safety of flight operations.
The correct answer to the question is: Once a reserve availability period is complete, another reserve availability period cannot begin until the pilot has a minimum of 10 hours rest. So, the correct choice from the options provided is (d) 10 hours. This is to ensure that pilots have sufficient time to rest and mitigate fatigue before starting another reserve period.
The minimum rest periods are of significant concern to aviation regulatory bodies worldwide and are typically addressed within their rules and regulations. In the United States, for example, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) strictly regulates these periods based on extensive research into fatigue and its effects on pilot performance. The prescribed rest period may vary based on several factors, including the time zones crossed during flight and the duration of preceding flight duties.