Having worked for many years in the dual role loadmaster ( bulk loading - not the easy ro-ro stuff) and licenced flying spanner let me re assure the Fat Controller that it is not as bad as it seems. The ability and facilities to sleep during cruise are paramount as it was normal not to see a hotel for two or three days at a time.
Indeed, the problem arises when time has to be demanded to fix something on the aircraft. There is no question of attempting to load/offload at the same time as this require full attention, as does the responsibility of signing off the tech log. A neccessary qualification is a thick skin, able to take the blame for delays.
The cost effectiveness is a matter for the individual company:
How often are your aircraft grounded by defects outside the MEL?
What maintenance organisations are available on your route network?
What quantity of spares, without which you can't achieve very much, is your company prepared to carry with the aircraft?
Is it a waste of a qualified engineer to fly around the route, compared with positioning him when required?
I assume your aircraft type carries a Flight Engineer. A small freight company is no place for carrying apprentice pilots in the FE seat. A Professional Flight Engineer with both air and ground tickets is what is really cost effective.
Last edited by Nineiron; 5th December 2004 at 10:57.