Hello all,
I'm looking for some advice on the practicalities of complying with
ORO.FC.235 Pilot qualification to operate in either pilot’s seat in an EASA mixed-fleet scenario:
Commanders whose duties require them to operate in either pilot seat and carry out the duties of a co-pilot, or commanders required to conduct training or checking duties, shall complete additional training and checking as specified in the operations manual.
[...]
In the case of helicopters, commanders shall also complete their proficiency checks from left- and right-hand seats, on alternate proficiency checks, provided that when the type rating proficiency check is combined with the operator proficiency check the commander completes his/her training or checking from the normally occupied seat.
Given the following:
- Dual rated pilots
- Captains are scheduled as copilot approximately 30% of the time
- OPC combined with type rating proficiency check every 6 months
Would I be correct by interpreting this as:
- Captains must change seats on alternate checks, because they fly as copilot 30% of the time
- The seat swapping is on alternate checks on the same aircraft type. Given that alternate types are checked every 6 months, it would end up being:
Type 1 Left Seat
Type 2 Left Seat
Type 1 Right Seat
Type 2 Right Seat
and so on
- When the check is conducted in the left seat, the training must be done in the right seat - to satisfy the "normally occupied seat" requirement
If anybody is able and willing to share how they are managing the practicalities of this under EASA I would be most grateful!