ipasgas1

I am considering applying for a part 135 single pilot cert. We own a dog training and boarding business and have many requests to fly customers dogs north in the summer and south in the winter. My question is...119.69 states each cert holder must have management positions filled with qualified persons as outlined in 119.71. It also states that the exception to 119.69 is the single pilot operator. 119.71 requires its chief pilot to have at least 3 years of part 121 or 135 PIC experience. Can I assume that the requirement for a single pilot operator with a single engine aircraft would be exempt from this requirement? As I would be the chief pilot, head of ops, and would have a maintenance shop for maintenance issues, am I still required to have the 121 or 135 experience? I have about 600 hours but just got my CSEL and have no 135 experience. I am assuming I do not have to meet these requirements since I would be a one man operation but wanted to clarify...
Thanks!!

PerfInit

See FSIMS FAA Order 8900.1, Volume 2, Chapter 4, Section 6. Everything you ever wanted to know about Single Pilot 135 is explained therein.
Merry Christmas!

ipasgas1

Still a little confused...it states therein that single pilot certs do not have to fill management positions but then goes on to say that single pilot and single pilot PIC may apply for management deviations if experience requirements are not met?

PerfInit

Whenever you read language in the regs that says "Unless otherwise approved/authorized by the Administrator". That language means that a deviation is permissible. Deviations are approved in A005 OpSpec. For Single Pilot operations, Part 119 Management personnel are not required. If the company chooses to "go above and beyond", and have some 119 management positions filled, then they need to have the 119.69 experience. Unless a A005 deviation is requested and approved. Getting a deviation approved is another process explained in 8900.1.

If I were in your shoes, I would learn to walk first, then run. Do the initial certification as a Simple Part 135 Single Pilot operation, then explore adding on.. Read the 8900.1, Volume 2 thoroughly and then set up a meeting with your local FSDO. There is a process for initial 135 certification called "CSOP". It is essentially a waiting list. Initial certs are lower priority than other FSDO tasks. Depending on the staffing level and workload, it may take a while to "get in the queue"...

Flyhayes

If I recall correctly, you can become your own chief pilot in a single aircraft/single pilot scenario. However, you're also going to need to meet the flight hours required to act as PIC for your operation. At 600 hrs you have a long way to go.

PerfInit

It depends on whether the operation is going to be VFR or IFR... If he has over 500TT, he meets the VFR 135 requirements. IFR is 1200 TT

ipasgas1

That was my understanding as well, 500hr TT VFR. But that made me look into it more...135.243.b.1-2 for PIC. I see chief pilot requirements are different for single pilot PIC and basic ops but I can't see that that applies to single pilot/single engine VFR...