Any Ideas how to get rid of a fulltime co-pilot that is sometimes unsafe and driving me nuts but is a close friend with the owners of the plane.

part 91 corp flight department
Im the captain and xyz is the co-pilot but has been with the company longer. Last Captain quit to pursue non aviation related career but mentioned this '' problem" to me.

Thanks and fly safe.

 

Well, unfortunately you will probably lose a friend over this one but you may be saving lives including your own. The best way to deal with it is to just be honest with him. Tell him the truth and express your concerns, if that does not work and you are comfortable approaching the owners on your own then do it. One thing to remember though if this backfires on you it is not the best time to be looking for a job right now...you need to ask yourself is it related to personality differences between the two of you and this guy is just a tool or is it related to safety. Safety always takes precedence in my book and if you are the captain you call the shots where that is concerned. Good luck with this one !

 

Recommend him for an upgrade to the left seat.

 

Just like swept wing. You are the Captain. Can you go to the Chief Pilot? If not, I would request a private meeting and discusss your observations with the boss. If you get fired, I know you can find a good lawyer and sue for wrongfull termination. I would document everything starting now.

Another question is are you going to let this unsafe pilot kill you. Review the B-52 crash. Remember that nobody would fly with, Bud, the pilot except the Commander who had no choice and knew he was unsafe. They are all dead now.


Spanky

 

Thanks Sweptwing. It def. is a situation of safety in the cockpit as well as a small personality clash. Im a lot younger than this co-pilot and I feel he has the "I should be in the left seat" syndrome even though he doesnt meet insurance mins or have the skill. My biggest concern is losing my job if I talk to the owners, especially in this economy. I have been furloughed twice (121 and 135 jet) in the past two years and really like this type of flying and company but this job is so much harder than it has to be especially flying a single pilot certified t-prob with this Co-pilot. thanks again.

 

Thanks Spanky
Unfortunetly Im the only Capt. so I guess Im the Chief as well

 

Document it all, with specifics on how that persons handling XXX responsibility is not getting done, or isn't up to standards, and is making you work much harder, or it's distracting you from performing your duties. Then have it ready for when you meet with the boss-man.

 

atpsr22 you already know that safety has to come first and as we all know the cockpit is no place for a personality conflict. I think you have to atleast sit down one on one and talk to the co-pilot first about the safety issues. If he is not willing to listen and learn then that says alot about him as a person. If the owner is not willing to listen about safety concerns then do you really want to work for someone who does not believe safety comes first. Nobody can tell you what to do but always remember no matter what you do in life do it for one reason, because it is the right thing to do. Good Luck and be safe.

 

Document everything that is happening. Try and have a one on one sit-down with this person. If he refuses, then try and get a sit-down with the both of you and the boss. The place I work at now, we had a pilot who was unsafe, broke the rules, etc. Everyone knew this. But anytime he was going somewhere, and he had room, he would take that person if they asked. He went on a flight one night, carrying this ride-along up front (C-421) and he had 4 passengers in the back. A mother and her 3 kids. The weather into the airport was not so good. He was so concerned trying to get his clearance in the air to leave this airport after he let off his passengers while shooting a GPS approach, he did not pay enough attention, busted minimums, flew through trees, and crashed. He and the ride along, and one of the kids in the back (8 years old) were killed. Try and explain that to the surviving mother and the other two kids, and her husband.

 

does the co-pilot get to fly or just warm the right seat? At our company co-pilots only get to fly if they are doing a good job in the right seat. Doing a good job means being safe. The captains don't owe them anything. So I could care less if they fly or not. If they cant get their heads squared away then they can just get the gear, flaps, run checklists and talk on the radio. Its up to them to get themselves out of the right seat.