135 Question

[SDdriver]

Can anyone tell me the difference between a

1) Single Pilot certificate

2)Single (pilot in command) certificate.

I have read a lot on these certificates and I kow about the Basic 135 Cert, but I am trying to figure out if there is a single pilot cert, in which you can fly IFR also. From what I have read, the single pilot cert, only enables you to do interstate travel under 9 pax VFR. Can you do this same thing but IFR?

Thanks.

SD

 

[jergar999]

It can be done IFR if the aircraft is equipped with a functional three-axis autopilot, which can be substituted for a Second in Command, the PIC will need an 8410 showing he/she has demonstrated single pilot competency, and the aircraft has to be approved for single pilot operation. I'll dig out the FARs and see if I can find the specific regs. I know of several air ambulance companies that operate King Airs single pilot.

 

[skylane58]

I think the single pilot cert SD is talking about is for a company that only has one pilot. And I have no idea if you can do that one IFR. It seems to me that it is possible to get the IFR part going. But again I have no idea how much paperwork it would take over just going for a normal 135 cert. I do know that the one pilot cert is a lot easier to get than the normal 135 cert.

 

[SDdriver]

That is what I was talking about. From a compan standpoint. The single pilot 135 cert. is so much easier to get than the basic 135, whice can take up to 2 yrs and requires op specs, DO. CP. DM, training manuels and all that stuff. From what I have been told, it is reasier to upgrade to a basic cert, after having a SP 135 cert already going. Only thing is, I can't see operating VFR only, that would be nuts and not even worth it. SO I am trying to figure out what is required to do a SP 135 IFR cert. Thanks to anyone that can add anything to this. I have looked at the ATL FSDO site just in case you all are wondering and couldn't find it. Help please..

SD

 

[WrightAvia]

I think you are confusing SINGLE ENGINE 135 operation, with a SINGLE AIRCRAFT/SINGLE PIC 135 operation. Apples and Oranges. Single engine 135 can be limited to VFR only. Single aircraft/single PIC 135 can use whatever airplane you have...Navajo, Conquest, Citation...The single aircraft/single pilot 135 certificate has nothing to do with how many engines are on the plane, Just limits you to ONE AIRPLANE and ONE PIC on the certificate. I believe you can also have up to 3 SIC on the single pilot/single aircraft 135 certificate. You'll be doing all your rides with FSDO by the way...since obviously you won't have a company check airman to do that for you.

If you got a delio in the works you might as well go on down to FSDO and get the information directly out of the horses mouth. You are going to wind up there anyway.

 

[SDdriver]

I don't ever recall mentioning engines anywhere in my post. I was talking about a 135 cetificate. There is Basic 135 cert, Single pilot 135 cert, and a Single (pilot in command) 135 cert, I was wanting to know the diference in the last 2.

SD

Thanks anyway..

 

[cvsfly]

With a new operator with limited equipment (i.e. one aircraft) and limited experience, the FSDO will be easier to work with if you are only doing Single Pilot Operator. No problem being approved for IFR as long as the aircraft is certified and the pilot in certified to use an approved auto-pilot in lieu of SIC. Single Pilot-in-Command entails a little more insight as you are likely to have one or more SICs. A training program will likely be required. Our company started out as a Single PIC Operator. They had the one PIC and an SIC in a BE-200, even though the PIC had the sign off for auto-pilot use in lieu of SIC. If the auto-pilot breaks and can be deferred, you can still operate. Pilots came and went and I upgraded to PIC (Chief Pilot). When I got my 3 years Part 135 PIC experience we applied to be a Basic Operator. We had no real plans to add any more aircraft, but the SIC could then upgrade to PIC (which makes sticking around more attractive) and we switch legs. Also Single Pilot and Single PIC are usually restricted to Continental USA (i.e. no Caribbean ops). The upgrade to Basic I'm sure was easier than going from scratch, but it is not a given depending on the FSDO. We already had previously approved Operations Manuals and Training Programs (we were briefly a Basic with a Chief Pilot who then left and the remaining pilots did not meet the 3 yr experience and so were knocked down back to a Single PIC). Our FSDO seemed to enjoy making us jump through hoops just for the exercise. They had rejected the Flight Safety Training Manual prepared for us with our name on the header because it didn't precisely match their assumed standard format. I hope my co-pilot appreciates the effort we made. We killed alot of trees making and revising those manuals.

 

[cvsfly]

... Single Pilot-in-Command entails a little more insight as you are likely to have one or more SICs.

I meant oversight.

 

[WrightAvia]

Hey...I got an IDEA. It might even pan out. Post this question on the FARS section of this bulletin board and maybe even address it to A Squared. I give him heck all the time for being a smart dude, but I bet he could tell you the answer to this question of yours. He's a plethora of aviation information.

If not...heck, email or snail mail FSDO. We pay them to tell us what they do for us, might as well make them earn their money!

Good luck!

 

[WrightAvia]

oooops...looks like someone beat you to it. Thanks for sharing you experience with us cvsfly.