Avionics News September 2020 - 39

not valid for International Civil Aviation Organization
required equipment. §135.151 requires a CVR for
aeronautical experience requirements for an ATP rating.
multiengine, turbine-powered airplane or rotorcraft having
The true objectives of the SIC PDP are not just about
a passenger seating configuration of six or more and for
logging time. The FAA believes this program will
which two pilots are required by certification or operating
help develop professional pilots by providing a strong
rules. Using the SIC PDP does not change the aircraft
foundation and will increase safety by utilizing two trained
certification or operating rules, so no CVR is required.
and qualified pilots instead of one.
Once issued Op Spec A062, using the authorization is
Operators will find the SIC PDP helpful in developing
fairly simple. An appropriately trained and qualified SIC is
new pilots within the structure of the company's culture.
assigned to a flight that doesn't normally require an SIC,
An air carrier can't just offer a local pilot off the street
along with an appropriately trained PIC mentor. The SIC
an opportunity to build time through this program. An SIC
then performs functions of either the pilot flying or pilot not
participating in the SIC PDP must
flying as specified in the SOPs. The
meet the same requirements regarding
SIC PDP may be used in revenue or
certification, qualification, training,
nonrevenue flights.
IT WOULD BE
and checking as an SIC required by
After each flight utilizing this
Part 135. This includes Part 120 drug
authorization,
the PIC must certify
SHORTSIGHTED
and alcohol testing requirements and
the SIC's flight time was conducted
OF THE INDUSTRY
compliance with the Pilot Records
in accordance with 61.159(c). The
TO PAUSE
Improvement Act. The pilot must
FAA recommends the following
also maintain flight, duty, and rest
endorsement: I, (PIC name), certify
PILOT PIPELINE
limitations and requirements under
that (SIC name) served as an SIC in
DEVELOPMENT NOW
Part 135 Subpart F.
accordance with § 61.159(c) on the
IN RESPONSE TO
In order to receive FAA
following flight(s) (airport identifier
authorization for an SIC PDP using
to airport identifier) on (date). (PIC
WHAT IS LIKELY
OpSpec A062, the operator must
signature and airman certificate
A TIME-LIMITED
develop and submit for FAA approval
number).
INFLUX OF AVAILABLE
a Pilot in Command mentoring
This signoff is not a certification
AIRLINE PILOTS.
program. Adding the PIC mentoring
that training was given or received or
program often requires a revision to
a testament of proficiency of any kind.
the operator's training program.
It's merely acknowledging the SIC
The FAA considers mentoring
conducted the flight in accordance
to mean, "In a broad sense, mentoring consists of a morewith §61.159(c), so the SIC's flight time can be used to
experienced individual (the mentor), offering advice,
meet certain aeronautical experience requirements.
encouragement, guidance, and support to a less-experienced
An authorized operator must also collect and submit data
individual (the protege)."
to help the operator and the FAA determine if the SIC PDP
Any PIC participating in the program as a mentor must
is effective in developing new pilots.
complete the training program, which is a ground training
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the
program that focuses on roles and skills of a mentor,
short-term landscape regarding demand for pilots, Part
administration requirements, and role-playing exercises.
135 operators looking to expand their pool of available
Recurrent training is required at least every 36 months, and
pilots and develop new pilots within the company's culture
the PIC mentor must have served as PIC for the air carrier
should consider requesting authorization for an SIC PDP. It
for at least six months.
would be shortsighted of the industry to pause pilot pipeline
The operator must also have standard operating
development now in response to what is likely a timelimited influx of available airline pilots.
procedures for conducting operations with two pilots, and
Review Advisory Circular 135-43, Part 135 Second in
the aircraft must meet certain equipment requirements
Command Professional Development Program, to learn
(found in §135.99).
more. q
Notably, a cockpit voice recorder is not part of the
avionics news

september

2020

Avionics News September 2020

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