How many is too many?

[Cooper]

I’ve worked for my present employer since 98 and since then we have gone thru planes like socks.

Started off in a Lear 60, then jumped to a Lear 55 and a 35 for a very brief time then onto a Falcon 50, then back to the Lear 35, then back to the Falcon and finally back to the 60 which I’m flying now.

Currently I fly PIC and SIC on the 60 and SIC on the 35, not that big a deal but the boss has this predisposition to buy planes for various reasons, from the financially defensible to the primitive reason that he just likes the thing.

We were informed the other day that yet another type of equipment would soon arrive on the property.

The boss has asked for input on the best for us, he laid out the requirements, a range of 4,000 nm, seating for 8 or more and less than 5 years old. But we feel he has already made up his mind on our next purchase. Most of us suggested a Falcon 900 because we already have two PIC typed pilots onboard and most of us have exposure to Dassault equipment, I also suggested a CL-604.

But the boss seems to be keen on a Gulfstream IV or V.

He’s got the cash to absorb the purchase no problem as well as operate the thing but the questions arose which jet would be replaced and he responded non of them, he wanted to keep the present equipment as well. No new pilots would be hired we would just type some of our existing people to crew the jet.

That would mean that some of us would be flying three rather complex jets most likely on a weekly and sometimes on a daily basis. I’ve done trips where we had an early morning jaunt to Chicago in the 60 with a two hr layover then return, jumped in the 35 for a quick multi stop trip around the gulf coast then depart that night for Hawaii in the Falcon. These trips are rare but do happen.

So my question is this, how many types is/are too many to safely attempt to fly? Two, Three etc… or as many as you can maintain currency on?

Frank

 

[Jetboy]

I think this topic was covered in another thread. Try a search on it. I wouldn't personally want to fly more than 2 types but everyone is different. My previous employer would have guys 135 qualified in 3 or even 4 types concurrently. They weren't all jets though. What would be wrong with hiring another pilot to help pick up the slack? If you have trips that require you to fly 3 different missions in 1 day, you are understaffed simple as that.

Either way if they can afford all these airplanes, they should be willing to fork out the extra cash to have at least one other pilot on board to keep you from working your a$$ off.

 

[rice]

I'll answer your question with a question.

First off, do you have an ops manual? From your description of "rare" flights it would seem that you have some exceptionally long duty days. A good ops manual (signed by the Boss) is the first step to running a safe flight department and it is your strongest defense in tempering his desires "to be somewhere" when he gets a bit out of control.

Secondly, talk with your insurer about the numerous types your department is flying. I would guess that having the same poeple typed and crewing all those different aircraft is going to lead to higher insurance rates.

Lastly, I would contract with someone to conduct a safety survey of your department. Often times these can be just what is needed when the boss doesn't seem to be listening to his pilots.

GoodLuck!!

Rice

 

[CL60]

NBAA Management Guide

The NBAA management Guidebook recommends that a pilot fly no more than two aircrfat types at one time. After you surpass two aircraft types, pilot proficiency tends to deteriorate rapidly.

This should all be covered in a company SOP's guidebook. I don't mean to be judgmental of your operation but you guys don't seem to be professionally managed. Perhaps an outside audit would bring other potential problems to the surface before you have any difficulties?

Be careful man, sounds like a risky operation.

Good luck,

 

[CL60]

btw

By the way,

Are you an NBAA member? Its easy to sign up. You can download the NBAA Management Guide from the internet free of charge. Your Chief Pilot should know this??? You can also get the NBAA Benchmark Survey from the NBAA site at no charge.

You guys can afford some pretty nice equipment. You can't afford not to spend a fraction of what a new Gbird costs to enhance safety and get good professional management.