Flight Options Dedicated Crewing

[flydog]

I was being sarcastic in my response to Valve

We all know that TDValve Mr 767 pilot has never flown an airplane with any broken parts in his 14,000 hrs.

I wonder if he would declare an emergency and shut down and engine if his N1 gauge quit working while the N2, oil press and temp were all normal. I know guys that have and they didnt get to keep their job. Part of this job is thinking through problems.

The point of my original post is that minor items that are known by a pilot to be a simple case of a stuck needle and not a major engine malfunction can be deferred.

I wont ground an airplane just because the light bulb on the VSI doesnt work but obviously the rules are different for 121 so the perspective for a 121 pilot is different. Us lower time guys grinding it out in 135 in 25 yr old jets unfortunately dont have the luxury of refusing trips when nonessential items break unless its a threat to safety.

By the way I dont work at FO so dont take my response to mean this is how their SOP dictates handling mx squawks although I am sure most of their pilots use common sense when they find a light bulb burnt out.

 

[tdvalve]

Flydog, actually I didn't do my first solo in a 767. And, no, I wouldn't shutdown an engine and declare an emergency for an inop N1 indicator. I would write it up at the completion of the flight. However, if it was inop before takeoff I would either get it fixed or deferred in accordance with our MEL.

You might want to look further if you really think maintenance requirements are strict under 121 and lax under 135. The Part 135 maintenance requirements for transport category aircraft was lifted almost verbatim from Part 121. The biggest difference between 121 and 135 is attitude.

 

[flydog]

I know the 121 and 135 mx rules are similar. The ethical mindset of the employers however are different and if you dont have an MEL it gets even murkier.

Is it legal to fly with a burnt out light bulb on a map light without an MEL? My FSDO says no. Would I be fired if I refused to fly with a map light out? Probably.

What about the good old "Could not Duplicate" mx response. If this same part continues to fail and its not a safety risk do I quit my job in disgust and complain to the FAA or just take it in stride?

So what do I do. Lose my job over a stupid lightbulb and file a lawsuit and make a big stink about it to the Feds? I dont think so.

Dont preach 121 ops because even though the regs are similar in the real world we dont have the luxury and the backup of a Union, a professional standards committee and any of the benefits of flying for a major airline.

Some employers may be more safety oriented and ethical than others. Most 135 operators are interested in making a buck and care about safety second. The whole point of my post is that you cant fight the system and you as the PIC have the final authority for the safety of the flight. This is where the PIC knowing the airplane comes into play.

If you want to become a martyr for the cause come on down to 135 and do a few trips.

I really dont know what your point is. Either you are trying to show that I am a sucky Captain or that no one should fly an airplane unless all the Ts are crossed and Is are dotted. The latter doesnt exist in real life and I wont debate my decision making and job performance with you.

 

[tdvalve]

"I wont debate my decision making and job performance with you."

Flydog, fine with me. Have a good one.

 

[KiddDynomite]

dedicated crewing and other crap!

Gentlemen:

As Aformer Flight Options Captain, actually, one of the first, let me explain the dedicated crewing "concept". It all started because the Hawker and Beechjet crews couldn't keep all the different avionics packages straight. Very simple keep the crews in the same airplane. The problem now is that "uncle Kenn" (I could never figure out the two N's) has tried to manipulate this into a marketing point, the people they sell to are not that stupid, just a bit frugal.
As for the MOOK who made the comment about the oil pressure gauge, it's because of people like you that I no longer fly for FO. I cannot fathom why the mentality of write it up later or "I know we've been up for sixteen hours, but let's fly anyway" still persists. I hate to see you guys learn the hard way.
It's unfortunate that punks try to pass themselves off as professionals.

Don't even think of Flamin' me Kidds

KiddDynomite

 

[flydog]

I think Kenn already flamed you when he fired your ass

 

[Jetz]

Hey, why all the stars on the FO posts

Hey, just an observation...ok 2 observations.

1. Why do the Flight Options related posts have stars next to them and none of the other subjects do?

2. Of course you have dedicated crewing. When you are flying a bunch of old clunkers that are not standardized, you need to keep the same guys on them so that SOMEONE knows the quirks and the mx history.

Come on now guys, lighten up.

By the way, having said that, dont we ALL fly used aircraft. After all, once you pick it up from Wichita, its used, right?

 

[jetwash]

Kid dynomite

KiddDynomite

You said that you were at Options a while ago.
I think we flew together.

Does Rochester, NY mean anything to you?
And were you a former Miller pilot?

Let me know So that I know it is you.

 

[flydog]

The stars are the rating given by users. you can rate a thread by clicking the link at the bottom of the thread. 1-5 stars

 

[Diesel]

I've read this thread with fascination. Ok my spelling sucks but here goes.

I came from a small 135 operator where every trip counted. I loved the man I worked for like a father. Most of us were A&P's and he was an IA. I wasn't an A&P but that was because i was too lazy to take the test.

We used to do cylendar head changes on the ramp in HPN when a plane went down. Every day when I went to fly I knew that every trip counted and we had a mission to do.

So I would make sure I got every trip done. If something broke I knew why but I would make sure the trip would get done. WITHIN REASON OF COURSE.

...... Then i came to EJA. All during aircraft training my questions were, what circuit breaker resets that, how do I turn that light off.... stuff like that. I had my leatherman and I was ready to fix anything that broke on the road.

Then I went on the road and it was like someone kicking me in the NUTS. It's safety stupid that's the motto here. I couldn't believe it.

If a lightbulb was burnt out or something wasn't just "feeling right" we're done, and a maintenece guy comes out and works on it.

I can't describe when I cringe on the phone about a writeup and the PM and MX supervisor says with a cheerful voice "don't worry about it we'll take care of it right away, your all done we'll work on hotel info asap."

We work on the big picture here, if you break down someone else will swoop in and pick up your pax. There is NO pressure on us.

I just grin and smile. The fractional industry can't afford an accident or a death. I make sure I let all my owners know how safe this place is.

All I can say is thank you EJA for keeping me safe. I know it's sappy but when I look back I realize how close I was towing the line. JP you know what I mean.

 

[KiddDynomite]

Hey Flydog,


You need to learn to pick battles more wisely, 'cause you're gonna lose this one. Only a two bit puke who has no substance, character, skill or a set between his legs would act like you. Your one of those company geeks that will fly broken junk, work an eighteen hour day, piss and moan about the company and then blow in anyone who wants union representation. I know your type, and you'd probably bend over for Uncle Kenny anytime he'd ask.

Save the smartass remarks, I'll read about you in "Aftermath"

Regards,

KiddDynomite

P.S. Jetdog, Western New York is familiar!

 

[flydog]

First, I dont work at Flight Options as I already stated numerous times above

Second, if you read my posts instead of picking personal fights youll see I never advocated flying unairworthy airplanes, busting unions, or working over duty times. All the things you allege I said are untrue.

If you really read my posts you would see my comments as well as that of the other poster's support unions with respect to maintenance as they offer support of a pilot who doesnt want to fly "broken junk" as you put it

As far as working over duty time I dont see that any where on this thread