Is this really how it works? We have our fair share of 250 hr new hires and I was wondering how they would get the required PIC for an ATP. I don't believe we use ICAO standards since we do not have any Canada or Mexico flying (although it is in our ops specs), but even the FAA requires 250 PIC.

Thanks......always helpful as usual......

Yes, You can get an ICAO restriction "Holder does not meet the pilot in command aeronautical experience requirements of ICAO" on your ATP until you get you PIC time 61.159 (d).

The way I understand it, all a low time new hire will need to do is to fly for a part 121 carrier when they build their total time. Since the SIC time they build is part 121 they will be exempt from the 250 hour PIC requirement.

I think there is also an exemption (subpart (e) or (f) I think?) that allows a pilot to obtain an ATP certificate with only 1,200 total time instead of the normal 1,500.

Now all of this is fine and dandy, but you will still need to meet you employers upgrade minimums before you become captain so most places you are looking at 2,000-3,000 total time. Not to mention crew scheduling is going to have a field day with a captain who can’t fly out of the country!

Ok, I had a chance to take a quick look a the Reg's yesterday and I can't find the part about the 121 exemption for the 250PIC. I could swear its in there somewhere, anyone know for sure?

Since new CA's usually go on reserve, a non-ICAO CA is useless to an airline who flys international since you can't plan ahead to keep a reserve on domestic routes. Expect the ICAO privileges to be a requirement for upgrade at any large jet regional. If they don't yet, they will figure it out soon enough (mesa learned the hard way several years ago because of their low time requirements).

61.159 (a) (4))

However if you're going to do this, you will want to log it and get the CA to sign for each flight to verify that you were "SIC performing the duties of PIC"

Also make sure you get written permission from your chief pilot before you do this at an airline.

Thanks Rick,
I rememberd reading that last time this question came up. This doesn't even apply to me, but I'm curious do you know of anyone who has had to do this?

The keep talking about street CA's at TSA. We are at 2000TT with a credit for 500 hours company time to make 1500TT with 500 ERJ145 Company. A new hire at 300TT would get to the line in 2-3, maybe 4 months, get a line by month 5, and end that first 12 month cycle with close to 1000TT. So upgrade at TSA is around 2 years for a 300 hour wonderpilot. However, this upgrade time is dependent on attrition that is currently pretty high (12 or so CA/month).

Sitting reserve
 

And how many hours a month would a reserve CA fly at Pinnacle?

So is the SIC acting as PIC thing part of the captain mentorship program at Pinnacle?