1900 single-pilot?

[340drvr]

I know this has been discussed, but my search didn't turn up any threads.
How do these freight companies operate Beech 1900's single-pilot? Is it a special checkride with waiver, kind of like the citation 550SP, or what? Thanks for any info.

 

[chperplt]

It's just another (or different) checkride.

 

[KeroseneSnorter]

There are two types for the 1900. like the CJ series, One for SP and one crew. The crew types have "SIC Required" on them.

 

[TransMach]

Be1900

GUys,

The BE1900 is a "Normal" category airplane ... says so right on the type certificate and every one's airworthiness certificate. The type certificate and the AFM state the minimum crew is "One Pilot".

FAR 135 requires two pilots for all operations that carry 10 or more passengers, FAR 121 requires two pilots.

Most freighters have two pilots seats and one jump seat, hence one pilot and two passengers max.

If you trained and checked at an air carrier that uses (and is required to use) two crew, then your certificate will state "second-in-command required". If you train and check at an operator that doesn't require a second-in-command your certificate will not carry that limitation.

The BE1900 is authorized takeoff weights in excess of 12,500 pounds via the magic of SFAR 41. Otherwise it's just a normal category light twin.

TransMach

 

[chperplt]

So in other words... Just another checkride.

 

[727gm]

No special checkride, no waiver, no two different types, just a normal appendix A checkride.
A perhaps better way to say it is that because the Beech 1900 is certified less stringent 41C (commuter rules) rather than FAR 25, it does not require a second in command even though it is over 12500 lb.
If the training is such that the person uses a copilot on the checkride, they will have a "Second in Command Required" restriction under Limitations on their certificate.
In the past, one received both a BE 300 & a BE 1900 type rating when taking the checkride single pilot. (FlightProfit International probably got that one eliminated...$$)

 

[chperplt]

I guess my "another" is confusing people...

It's just a checkride...

 

[jobear]

Yes it's just a checkride. I think all SYX's check airman are single pilot qualified in the 1900.

JobEEr

 

[Flyin Tony]

That looks like alot of plane for one guy

 

[Cowboypilot]

TransMach explained it the best.

TransMach explained it the best.
When I got my 1900 type I had a person sitting in the right seat reading checklists, radio work and general co-pilot stuff. When my new certificate was typed up it stated "Second in Command required" IF that person had not been in the seat reading checklists and helping it would have not had that "SIC required" on it. Upon my next visit for recurrent I asked for another check ride without a SIC and the "SIC required" was removed"

 

[minitour]

TransMach explained it the best.
When I got my 1900 type I had a person sitting in the right seat reading checklists, radio work and general co-pilot stuff. When my new certificate was typed up it stated "Second in Command required" IF that person had not been in the seat reading checklists and helping it would have not had that "SIC required" on it. Upon my next visit for recurrent I asked for another check ride without a SIC and the "SIC required" was removed"

So the ride itself was no different other than now you had to flip the flaps and grab the gear?

-mini

 

[KeroseneSnorter]

That looks like alot of plane for one guy

Nah, Just a long King Air thats all.

 

[FarginDooshbahg]

Nah, Just a long King Air thats all.

Exactly. A Metro is way more airplane than a 1900 ever thought about being, and there are numerous companies that operate THAT single pilot.

 

[AutoBus]

GUys,

The BE1900 is a "Normal" category airplane ... says so right on the type certificate and every one's airworthiness certificate. The type certificate and the AFM state the minimum crew is "One Pilot".

FAR 135 requires two pilots for all operations that carry 10 or more passengers, FAR 121 requires two pilots.

Most freighters have two pilots seats and one jump seat, hence one pilot and two passengers max.

TransMach

Not quite all 1900's. The 1900D's are Commuter Category. The A,B and C models are Normal via SFAR 41C (I got my type in the 1900A, two airstairs, no cargo door) Either way the difference is in the way the type rating conducted.

For a single pilot type some portion of the check (usually a V1 cut, followed by a SE ILS to minimums) is supposed to be conducted completely single pilot, the rest of the ride would be done 2 crew if that is appropriate for the operation.

9 passenger seats is the limit for single pilot operations and beech supplies a faa approved seat blocking kit (a sign that says "Do Not Occupy" and goes around the seat belt)

If you have a SIC required type rating, the SIC can be removed via a short checkride from the FAA, DE.

 

[340drvr]

Thanks, all, I appreciate the info!

 

[inline]

Exactly. A Metro is way more airplane than a 1900 ever thought about being, and there are numerous companies that operate THAT single pilot.

What makes the Metro more of a handfull? Systems? Small wing? Bad single engine perf?

 

[TheDogsBollocks]

That looks like alot of plane for one guy

1900 single pilot? no big deal, have over 1500hrs single pilot experience.
I also fly the Metro single pilot-now that is a pig!

 

[I.P. Freley]

Nah, Just a long King Air thats all.

Okay, what's to keep someone from getting a single-pilot type in an Airbus 300? Or a 777? Is there anything the person in the left seat can't reach and REQUIRES a second pilot?

 

[KeroseneSnorter]

Is there anything the person in the left seat can't reach and REQUIRES a second pilot?

Yes there is.

Also the feds normally use a prereq. for SP ops of being able to see both wing tips from the left seat during taxi. This disqualifies most swept wing aircraft.

Cessna tech told me that the XL was originally designed with SP ops in mind but the lack of visibility shot it down. I think one of Simuflites sims is one of the first built and has the gear handle on the left side. something that no XL was ever produced with.

As far as the bigger stuff, even with two pilots, some of the overhead switches are a stretch to get to. I am 6'2 and there is no way to reach them and fly at the same time. And as far as reaching all the breakers, unless you can fly and get up and go over to the breaker panels at the same time I would call that needing two pilots.

 

[I.P. Freley]

unless you can fly and get up and go over to the breaker panels at the same time I would call that needing two pilots.

I thought that's what the autopilot was for....

 

[KeroseneSnorter]

I thought that's what the autopilot was for....

If auto pilots always worked and never failed or popped breakers, then you would have a good point. And then we could get rid of half the airline pilots in the country.

 

[FearlessFreep]

The most fun thing in the Metro III flying single pilot was taking off High & Hot (Toluca, MX) with the water/alcohol injection, I think it was called WAI. When you'd turn it off there is a dramatic decrease in performance and it would happen instantaneously. This was accompanied with a pretty fair change in pitch attitude. Flip the WAI switch off and then immediately SHOVE the power levers forward, but not so far as to kick on the SRL lights, simultaneously jerk the column to adjust for the power adjustment. Right about at the same time tower would be calling you to go to departure frequency.

Actually flying the Metro single pilot isn't too bad once your used to it, if it's VFR and everything working ok. If it's solid IMC, and things are breaking it could be a handful. The one's I were flying had NO FD and NO Autopilot. Flying it in weather was a lot of fun, even if you were real busy. Would give you a pretty good sense of accomplishment when you would shoot an approach down to minimums in a driving rain storm.

 

[Groundpounder]

.

Cessna tech told me that the XL was originally designed with SP ops in mind but the lack of visibility shot it down. I think one of Simuflites sims is one of the first built and has the gear handle on the left side. something that no XL was ever produced with.

Wrong. Here are two examples. It was up to the buyer where the gear handle, RTU's and MFD is placed in the cockpit.

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/743808/M/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/566522/M/

 

[KeroseneSnorter]

Wrong. Here are two examples. It was up to the buyer where the gear handle, RTU's and MFD is placed in the cockpit.

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/743808/M/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/566522/M/http://www.airliners.net/open.file/566522/M/http://www.airliners.net/open.file/566522/M/

Yep, you got me. Didn't account for the "If you have enough money, they will build it" senario. The point is that they are not sp waivable as Cessna originally intended.

 

[ultrarunner]

That looks like alot of plane for one guy

Naa...it's just a King Air, a bit longer, but that's it.

 

[I.P. Freley]

If auto pilots always worked and never failed or popped breakers, then you would have a good point. And then we could get rid of half the airline pilots in the country.

You do realize I was kidding, right? You know... Something on the other side of the aeroplane doesn't work, so hit the AP and walk over there...

 

[siouxicide]

The most fun thing in the Metro III flying single pilot was taking off High & Hot (Toluca, MX) with the water/alcohol injection...

You're right on about the CAWI system. Nice kick in the pants on takeoff with the extra 100hp/side.

Lots of people can't believe we fly the Metro single pilot. Honestly, it could be a handful....if you're complacent, but that goes for anything. In reality, it's just another 402 or Navajo after a while, with a few more gadgets to mess with. I remember when I thought a Tomahawk had a lot of gauges...you get used it.

 

[I.P. Freley]

In reality, it's just another 402 or Navajo after a while, with a few more gadgets to mess with. I remember when I thought a Tomahawk had a lot of gauges...you get used it.

All I remember about the Chieftain I used to fly was the fact that if you had an engine failure, you had negative climb performance on a hot day at max weight.

Heck, maybe you had negative climb performance on a COLD day at a more reasonable weight, for all I remember. I'm just glad I had a good MX dept. behind me to keep that thing in tip-top shape. Thankfully they found the bad turbo before I did, if you get my drift.

 

[AutoBus]

All I remember about the Chieftain I used to fly was the fact that if you had an engine failure, you had negative climb performance on a hot day at max weight..

Oh and don't forget the "User Hostile" layout of the controls. Monitor the EGT's, Fiddle with the props to keep them insync, reduce power one inch of MP at a time, Don't forget the cowl flaps, boost pumps and the fuel system. On top of that the AP never works when you need it, and on a bad wx day every passenger shows up with extra bags and a jump seater shows up begging for a ride.

I had a cylinder "blow" off a Chieftain just after takeoff in LGA with 4 pax, aircraft flew fine, but we were light and the wx was cold.

I flew it single pilot in scheduled passenger operations for about six months and began suffering from NSS (Navajo Stress Syndrome) was glad when I got to transistion back to turbine equipment.

 

[I.P. Freley]

I think it would be easier to raise the dead than to get a Chieftain started within five minutes of shutting it down in the summer.