Why is a PC12 SIC position a real job and a C208 SIC is not? Both are single engine, single pilot aircraft...

While I don’t necessarily agree with dera, a Pilatus is more airplane than a Caravan. Pressurized, faster, more complex, it’s got a lot more oomph on the front end, couple extra thousand pounds of weight, etc. There’s a little more going on. It’s a nice little transition between Skyhawks and jets, the Caravan being less so. I don’t actually know of many Caravan operators who use two crew, Air Choice and Mokulele come to mind. PlaneSense, Boutique, and Tradewind all have two pilots for their Pilatus operations.

Far more Part 91 and 135 operators fly the PC12 as a single crew than multi crew that I am aware of. The PC12 is one of the easiest and most idiot proof airplanes to fly.

Agreed. Like I said, the Caravan is simply more so.

If you want the real answer, go to the FAA website and search legal interpretation. I don’t see anything new so you will probably have to submit your questions to them so you can get a definitive answer to keep with your log book. It will most likely take a few months to get a response but probably worth it if you are really concerned.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well, regardless of what the GOM says, all FOs come in with less than 1200 hours, fly in the right seat as an SIC and then get to upgrade to PIC when they hit 1200 hours. Being that the 1200 hour total time is in fact an FAA time requirement to act PIC under Part 135 flight rules, the company could not legally allow that pilot to upgrade if they couldn't log the time.

Also, many SICs wont even accept an upgrade to PIC in order to not be locked into another contract so they can go off to an airline when they hit ATP minimums, so airlines accept the logged time.

All this to say, argue all you want about it, everybody is logging the time and it is being accepted not only by the company, but even by large regional airline companies.

If you are a BTQ copilot, LOG IT!

Exactly.

The only case I know where 135 SIC time wasn't accepted was a Caravan "SIC" job.

For anyone thinking of coming to Boutique, either as a street captain or SIC, you should really rethink your choice for many reasons. Below is just a small sample size of the issues I have encountered at Boutique. Maybe not everyone’s experience is the same, but this is mine.

First of all the maintenance here is sketchy at best and our mechanics are usually brand new with no experience. I have seen on numerous occasions maintenance fixing things the wrong way, such as installing brake pads wrong or wiring things backwards. I’m not saying mistakes don’t happen but it seems like they happen quite often here. The same problems keep popping up time and time again.

Secondly, the schedules have turned into absolute crap. A lot of traveling out of base, a lot of single pilot operations in weather and a lot of back to back overnights. I’m not complaining too much about the overnights but it wasn’t always like this.

Another reason is you will be pressured into flying in unsafe aircraft in unsafe weather. Over the summer, crews were assigned aircraft with no pressurization and no air conditioning and had to fly for hours at altitudes below 10000 feet, dodging thunderstorms, making passengers sick and pilots fatigued. This was an everyday thing. Or having to divert to another airport due to high winds at the destination (31 gusting to 41-direct crosswind) and being told by the chief pilot that you should have attempted to land even though it violated company policy. Captains are also pressured to not ground airplanes by not writing up certain maintenance issues. I’ve seen it time and time again. Boutique puts money ahead of safety and passenger comfort.

Like I said this is my experience, results may vary. With the industry going the way it is, my advice for anyone under 65 is go to a regional instead. As a street captain it’s not worth risking your certificate. If you are a low time pilot get your CFI and instruct. Don’t let them sucker you into signing a contract.

This could be just how the 135 world is regardless of employer, I don’t know, this is my first experience with one. Just my two cents.

Unsafe aircraft? Come on. The ECS is in the MEL. Nothing unsafe about that.