How do you calculate the number of pilots required?

[thatpilotguy]

We are trying to analyze our projected need for flight department expansion and I'm having a hard time finding any information to support my beliefs.

What I am looking for is specific information on the average number of flight hours typically flown by a single aircraft, part 91 flight department. As well as the average number of flight hours flown per month for a part 91 pilot.

A few years ago I ran across a calculator that would provide this information, but I can't remember where I saw it.

Do any of you out there know where I can find information on this?

Thanks.

 

[maddogg]

NBAA Calculator

I think the calculator you are reffering to is on the NBAA website. We used it last year. I will try and find it and post the link.

Maddogg

 

[CE650SC]

Number of Pilots Required

www.nbaa.org/@@wA2oDQT6OwEN/basics/admin/calcpilots.htm

This is the site that contains the NBAA's suggestion for calculating pilots needed. Hope it helps.

 

[CE650SC]

Calculating the Number of Pilots Required
Calculation of Number of Pilots Based on Number of Days Pilot Is Needed
Each company could vary this calculation according to its own requirements. This sample calculation presumes a seven-day-a-week operation (the aircraft is available seven days a week) with a particular pilot available five days a week. Five pilots would be required if a five-day-a-week operation is used.

DESCRIPTION​

CALCULATION​

TOTALS​

Work days per pilot
52 weeks per year x 5 days per week

260​

Days not available

• Vacation: 15 days
• Holidays: 11 days
• Sick leave: 5 days
• Training and physical examination: 10 days

-41​

Subtotal of days not available
Total days available for duty
260 days – 41 days

219​

Number of crew seats
(if two per aircraft)
2 aircraft x 2 pilots per aircraft

4​

Number of operating days per year
7 days per week

365​

Number of flightcrew days per year
4 pilots x 365 days

1,460​

Number of pilots required (rounded up)
1,460 flightcrew days required/219 days available

7​

 

[thatpilotguy]

I thought I remembered a calculator that took into account RON's and stated something about average number of flight hours flown for typical flight departments nationally? Maybe I'm totally wrong. If I remember correctly there is another company that does flight department analyis.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

take the number your boss or management co says you need and double it.

 

[rice]

take the number your boss or management co says you need and double it.

OH SO TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Problem is when you come in with "your" number they typically divide that by 3.
Guess that explains my feeling of dread for the past two+ years.

 

[GVFlyer]

At Gulfstream we subscribed to the KISS principle and simply recommended one and one-half pilots per seat to customers.

GV

 

[G100driver]

take the number your boss or management co says you need and double it.

Classic!!!!!:beer:

 

[thatpilotguy]

All good answers. I'm sure there is good source information out there. Does anyone know if there is anything other than NBAA?

 

[Tigers]

We use two crews per airplane.

 

[thatpilotguy]

I like the NBAA calculator, but there seems to be some holes in their calculations that I am going to have a hard time trying to explain.

1. How many corporate flight departments actually have pilots that work a 5 day work week?
2. How many corporate flight departments get holidays off?

In the second calculator that NBAA uses it shows number of hours a day available for duty. They list 8 hours. I'm guessing that they are getting these number from your standard 5 day 40 hour work week, but that doesn't seem to fit into any flight department that I have ever worked for.

I guess I'm a little stumped on how to explain the calculations. Any ideas? Does anyone know of any info out there that factors in number of RON's into these calculations? I would think that would factor in somehow.

 

[CE650SC]

NBAA Calculator

I think the NBAA Calculator is just a good tool to help you prove that you will need more guys than what your company will want to hire. That is based on simple things such as days available, days off, training, vacation, etc... There is no perfect way to calculate it other than to prove you will need more than just 2 pilots. Unfortunately all most companies care about is the bottom line (they call it a "budget") and you will need to prove to them that for SAFETY reasons and turnover - they need to staff the department properly!

Good luck, this is one of most difficult tasks you will have other than pay.

 

[thatpilotguy]

Thanks CE560SC, I agree that the NBAA Calculator can be a good tool. Currently we are operating with 3 pilots and are looking at a 400 hrs of flying per year. Not too bad. We didn't have any problem getting the big boss to sign off on needing a third guy, but what I am having problems with is showing him averages. He was under the impression that corporate pilots (part 91) flew more hours than we do. He thought the numbers where closer to 50 hrs month, and myself and the chief pilot are saying, no it's more like 25-35 hrs a month. In addition, he was looking for information on how the need for additional pilots is calculated.

You mentioned pay, that is exactly how this all started. Your exactly right that this is one of the hardest things that I have had to do. You almost want to say..."this is the way the industry works." But he wants justification and I can't dissagree with him, I don't think it's too much to ask, but it's really hard to prove/support.

 

[CRAZY LEGS]

At Gulfstream we subscribed to the KISS principle and simply recommended one and one-half pilots per seat to customers.

GV

Three pilots to crew a G-V ?

No thanks.