What determines crew size?

[skydraulic]

After viewing many job postings I am confused. I do not know the basic factors that determine the cockpit crew size needed on different aircraft operations. I am mainly concerned with small turboprop/ turbojet aircraft. I have seen many job postings (usually corporate) advertising for a co-pilot/ SIC on aircraft such as the king air....whether it be the C90 or B200. Looking at the type certificate data sheet....it shows a minimum of a one person crew needed. What are the regulations that allow someone to log time as SIC on these type aircraft? I can understand the two man crew concept under FAR Part 121 or 135. But what's the scoup on an SIC under Part 91 in a king air??

 

[rettofly]

After viewing many job postings I am confused. I do not know the basic factors that determine the cockpit crew size needed on different aircraft operations. I am mainly concerned with small turboprop/ turbojet aircraft. I have seen many job postings (usually corporate) advertising for a co-pilot/ SIC on aircraft such as the king air....whether it be the C90 or B200. Looking at the type certificate data sheet....it shows a minimum of a one person crew needed. What are the regulations that allow someone to log time as SIC on these type aircraft? I can understand the two man crew concept under FAR Part 121 or 135. But what's the scoup on an SIC under Part 91 in a king air??

SIC time is loggable under either of 2 conditions:
Aircraft requires crew of 2, or
Operation requires crew of 2.

Under Part 91, it's unlikely that any operation of a 1-pilot a/c will require 2 crew. Under Part 135, if the OP SPEC requires 2, it's loggable.

 

[Cpt. Underpants]

I would have to say that in my experience, crew size is determined largely by the general standard of catering offered and whether first class chocolates are regularly offered.

Crew Compliment however is determined by the certification of the aircraft and demonstraion of the physical tasks required to safely conduct operations. Page 1 of the POH will have the certification data and will state "minimum crew compliment". This will be augmented when the aircraft is operated beyong certain physical limits, such as ultra long haul flying. In my company, we operated our (wide-body, ULH jets) with two crew up to scheduled sector length of 8 hours, three crew from 8 to 11 hours and 4 crew from 11 to 16 hours (currently our max).

On a ULH flight with 4 crew, if first class catering is offered, crew size will therefore also increase.

 

[Mr. Irrelevant]

Genetics

 

[GCD]

Under the conditions stated in your Part 91 question; The insurance company usually dictates the need for a SIC, even though the airplane is certified for one pilot operation.

Insurance companies and attorneys are sending this country into eventual bankruptcy, IMHO.

 

[skydraulic]

Yes I was referring several job postings for an SIC on a King Air B-200 (Part 91). A B-200 does not require a type rating correct? If not, then is the training/ endorsement required under 61.31(g) the only thing a multi-engine rated pilot needs to fly a B-200 under Part 91? These corporate flying "SIC's" may log time as PIC while manipulating the controls but never log SIC time on a B200? Therefore a corporate "SIC" job would be great if the captain let you have some stick time; otherwise it might only be a paycheck if you never touched the controls ehh... Anyone have any experience with these types of operations? Just curious.