I've been working for a Pt 91 operation for about 5 years now. We fly about 10-20 hours a month. Everything is great except for one thing. The dude hardly lets me fly. I probably get 1-2 landings in a month (if that). In the past 3 months I've had 3 legs. I've talked to him about it multiple times and it'll temporarily get better - mabye 4-5 landings in 1-2 months but then it'll be right back to the same. Any one else in the Corporate world have this problem? Do you always have the PF sit in the left seat? I came to this job after working at a 121 airline for 8 years, being a Captain for 6. I really miss switching PF every other leg. On the other hand I'm the best gear retracter and radio operator in town. Thanks for any insight!
Every corp job I had the PF was in the left seat, but this may vary on experience.
Also, some owners can grow to trust one guy very much and want him flying most (or all) live legs. I don't agree with it and would nip that quick...but YMMV.
You need to get answers from the guy running your operation.
I have observed this to be common in the corporate world. Born from pure greed. Everyone likes to fly. The least we can do is share. Not only for enjoyment but more importantly proficiency.
If a captain is taking all of the legs because he feels that he needs them ALL for his own proficiency I would suspect a self confidence problem, if its because the boss feels safer with him at the controls he shoud have the people skills to make the boss understand that the safest he can possibly be is with a highly proficient CREW. How safe would the boss feel if he keeled over and the F/O was making his first landing in six months, possibly with a tight approach to a short runway.
When I was flying corporate I had the good fortune to fly for a company where the policy was to get comfortable as pilot monitoring in the right seat, maybe 10 legs, then fly left seat EVERY time the aircraft was empty for a period of time ,then swap seats every leg regardless of who was on board. When Capt. upgrade occurred, it was a non event and you can bet all of the F/O's I flew with got every other leg.
I have some friends who were not as lucky and attained a PHD in throwing gear.
CG
"Dude" said "I'm retiring soon and you have your whole career ahead of you to fly" I just left it at that as we were flying later on that day and he was agitated that I asked. He's also said in the past "If you don't like it then leave". He's a very hard guy to talk to - his way or the highway. He'd probably make a great Korean Air captain. :-)
Every corp job I had the PF was in the left seat, but this may vary on experience.
Also, some owners can grow to trust one guy very much and want him flying most (or all) live legs. I don't agree with it and would nip that quick...but YMMV.
Our owner even makes comments about him not sharing the flying. It's funny at times.
You need to get answers from the guy running your operation.
Unfortunately he is the guy running the operation. We're the only 2 pilots. He's the HMIC - there is noone else.
I have observed this to be common in the corporate world. Born from pure greed. Everyone likes to fly. The least we can do is share. Not only for enjoyment but more importantly proficiency.
If a captain is taking all of the legs because he feels that he needs them ALL for his own proficiency I would suspect a self confidence problem, if its because the boss feels safer with him at the controls he shoud have the people skills to make the boss understand that the safest he can possibly be is with a highly proficient CREW. How safe would the boss feel if he keeled over and the F/O was making his first landing in six months, possibly with a tight approach to a short runway.
When I was flying corporate I had the good fortune to fly for a company where the policy was to get comfortable as pilot monitoring in the right seat, maybe 10 legs, then fly left seat EVERY time the aircraft was empty for a period of time ,then swap seats every leg regardless of who was on board. When Capt. upgrade occurred, it was a non event and you can bet all of the F/O's I flew with got every other leg.
I have some friends who were not as lucky and attained a PHD in throwing gear.
CG
Thanks for the response. I think you hit the nail on the head. I wish I could be more assertive with this situation but I don't want to risk losing my job in these times. It's good to know this situation isn't uncommon in the Corporate world.
If he's retiring soon, hopefully you will take his place so best not to **** him off too bad or he might sabotage that with the boss. Don't let the door hit him in the ass on the way out.
When you are the HMIC you can make it great for your replacement. It sounds like you will. Heck, I don't want to fly every leg, I would miss out on a lot of learning.
CG
Ziggy we're in the NE. Cubguy it would be great if it works out that way. I will definately share the flying! It makes for a much safer cockpit and proficient crew no doubt.
1- He's one of those guys who don't trust anyone but themselves..... When he gets to work, its all about protecting his licenses/job, not creating a comfortable environment... When they finally let you fly, they're still in control, you might have your hands on the wheel, but they're running the show, "turn steeper, slow down, speed up, descent now, lower the gear," etc....we have one of those where I work.
or
2-Maybe he feels the owners/passengers like to see the Captain at the controls, in which case he should let you fly every empty leg.
A big problem is that he's probably an older guy, he's set in his ways, talking to him about it won't do much....
The sad reality is (as you've already observed), you're probably stuck with it. The bottom line is he's a selfish, unprofessional ass (and likely a weak stick too).
Personally, the next time the owner makes a comment about him doing all the flying, I'd throw in a comment that you aren't as proficient as you should be since Captain Stick Hog does all the flying.
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