On the dual captain and who is the PIC question I think that can be resolved. Coming from a military flying background there was no doubt that some pilots had more experience than others. However, once the newcomers rise to a certain level then there was no reason to hold them back. The new PICs might fly with more experienced PICs for a while to help provide pointers in refining their skills or flows or mission completion, etc. I was an IP/SIP in aircraft that I flew but would function as an SIC allowing a PIC(Captain) to build their experience in the position. Nothing like experience in each seat to help develop a better CRM situation and an accelerated increase in performance regardless of cockpit seating. Whoever is the PIC is just that. Whoever is the SIC is just that as well.
As for the flows situation there is no doubt about it that flows are based on PIC/SIC assignment. The best idea might not be to alternate legs but with a two captain cockpit there should be the capability to adapt their flows based on seat position. We are smart guys, right? Of course before we hired the first pilot we would have testing performed to determine how well one would fit into the CRM mold. We don't want folks that are not team players, particularly in the cockpit. I agree with what Bobbysamd said about having two IPs in the cockpit. That could be less than desirable...But the ego deal has no place in the pilot mix here. Remember we are not only offering the public special treatment in other areas. I don't understand why with the right people this concept couldn't be a way to, in fact raise the safety bar. And this would help set us apart from the mainstream...think about bringing the public's attention to this.
More and more 91 operations are being required to have two type rated pilots in the cockpit...underwriter driven. The cost of this is more than the standard old method. The fact is that many training facilities don't even offer SIC only training. I realize that airline training is costly. Training and qualifying a PIC is only incrementally more costly than SIC training only.
Folks in the back of the airplane would prefer to have two gray haired guys in the front simply because they would have the impression that the crews are seasoned and have more experience than a couple of young pups up front. The young pups may in fact be better pilots but statistically that may not hold true across the board.
I am sure that there are conflicting views to mine. I am simply trying to get away from the old system and therefore not have to rely strictly on a seniority based system before getting the chance to do the job. I have read several times that a fellow with 10K of 121 jet experience does not have even 1K of jet PIC experience. Something wrong with that, in my mind.
With high standards and quality people, the system should work. Once you minimize the ego situation you have a better working team in the front. And if most everyone is on an even keel then they know that they will probably reap what they sew in the cockpit.
As for the flows situation there is no doubt about it that flows are based on PIC/SIC assignment. The best idea might not be to alternate legs but with a two captain cockpit there should be the capability to adapt their flows based on seat position. We are smart guys, right? Of course before we hired the first pilot we would have testing performed to determine how well one would fit into the CRM mold. We don't want folks that are not team players, particularly in the cockpit. I agree with what Bobbysamd said about having two IPs in the cockpit. That could be less than desirable...But the ego deal has no place in the pilot mix here. Remember we are not only offering the public special treatment in other areas. I don't understand why with the right people this concept couldn't be a way to, in fact raise the safety bar. And this would help set us apart from the mainstream...think about bringing the public's attention to this.
More and more 91 operations are being required to have two type rated pilots in the cockpit...underwriter driven. The cost of this is more than the standard old method. The fact is that many training facilities don't even offer SIC only training. I realize that airline training is costly. Training and qualifying a PIC is only incrementally more costly than SIC training only.
Folks in the back of the airplane would prefer to have two gray haired guys in the front simply because they would have the impression that the crews are seasoned and have more experience than a couple of young pups up front. The young pups may in fact be better pilots but statistically that may not hold true across the board.
I am sure that there are conflicting views to mine. I am simply trying to get away from the old system and therefore not have to rely strictly on a seniority based system before getting the chance to do the job. I have read several times that a fellow with 10K of 121 jet experience does not have even 1K of jet PIC experience. Something wrong with that, in my mind.
With high standards and quality people, the system should work. Once you minimize the ego situation you have a better working team in the front. And if most everyone is on an even keel then they know that they will probably reap what they sew in the cockpit.