X-rated
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2005
- Posts
- 498
Simple...
Reaction time and complexity. Your average turboprop is in the 180-250KTAS range. (though Pilatus and TBM are higher) There is more time for one pilot to react to situations as opposed to the higher speeds of Jets. You also have increasing complexity despite some outstanding avionics on the newer models. I just believe if you are up there in the FL in a jet you need that second person with you.
I think you're being a little hypocritical. They all go 250 below 10K feet. What difference does it make how fast they go above 10K? Also, some single pilot turboprops have a much higher workload than the average two pilot Jet.
Flying around in a jet by myself at FL410? No thanks, I'll take the increase in odds that SOMEBODY gets their mask on in time during a rapid D with a second pilot.
I know it's a widely abused reg, but aren't you supposed to be on O2 above FL250 or FL350 when operating single pilot? Hard to say it's not safe if you have to violate a reg to make it unsafe.
I do believe flying as a crew is always preferable, but whether or not the turbines drive propellers is irrelevant.