Originally Posted by johnnysnow

I'll be a little more specific about the program. It's an SIC program that is included in the Ops Spec. It requires that the SIC recieve the same training as well as the same checkride and 8410 to be kept on file. The LOA from the FAA home office in Washington, states that SIC can manipulate the controls in all phases of flight, as long as an appropriately authorized PIC is occupying the other seat. This is for live 135 cargo on demand legs. It also says that the SIC can log PIC for any portion of the flight that this occurs. But it also says that the SIC CANNOT log any portion of the flight as SIC regardless of who is manipulating the controls. The reason being I believe is that 1) the plane is not certified for two pilots 2) it's a cargo operation only and does not require an SIC under any circumstances. This would be different than lets say a Cape Air, were a SIC is required under 135 scheduled passenger service.(without AP)

The FAA's view is that the SIC is manipulating the controls, in an aircraft that he is appropriately rated in. Very similar in fact to an instrument student, who is appropriately rated in the aircraft, logging PIC time while flying in actual conditions with his instructor. Of course this is pure speculation as to what the course of reasoning was behind their decision, but make no mistake, what I described above came from them.