It gets a little complicated with the crane, or any other utility heavy. Hours by themselves won't get you thru the door!
Mission's are varied, and lot's of other issues are involved. Company stuff that doesn't always make a lot of sense at the time...Politics,timing etc!
Sometimes it's a single command pilot, with a co-joe who can be anything from a 2 to 20 year pilot. One outfit used logging/Fire pilots in the left seat, and low time guard pilots (with a type rating courtesy of Uncle Sam) as non flying Captain. (not Erickson) Generally a lot more professional today.(I did say generally!)
Most/Many times it's two command pilots swapping out each cycle...
no co-joe in sight.
But the over-riding issue is, that you'd never get command without substantial longline time.
One scenario could be, that you fly as co-joe for some time, and then go fly support until you're smooth and accurate enough with a line. Or arrive being a seasoned longline pilot who flies as co-joe and then maybe does another stint on support to regain currency, and then left seat as junior pilot (command seat for LL ops) These scenarios have happened in the past several times.
The point is that somewhere in the picture, you have to get solid longline skill in the bag...The rest is pretty much down to the current situation, pilot/contract wise.Anyone can fly the machine, it's the line work that'll stop you from progressing. A little time will be given to let you get used to a new sight picture, and general handling differences, but no-one would train you to fight fire or log in a heavy. (not unless you know where the bodies are hidden, or the owners a parent!)
Regarding the co-joe's importance...You're really as important as you make yourself. Initially you're pretty much ballast. But if you can keep up a high enthiusiasm level, but without driving the other guy crazy with said enthiusiasm...people will want to fly with you. but if the flying pilot comes in from the bubble and spots a problem...temp/pressure etc..and you've been sitting there with nothing else to do but monitor,and you missed it... you'll be a sandbag for a long time. It's a trust thing!
The lowest time guy I personally met who was working as a co-joe, had only flown one other type and that was an R22...He seemed happy enough, but it didn't work out! when he was told he'd never be able to move from that seat.... ever! as he didn't have the command time (read a few hundred hours in R22's) to move into a soloy Hiller or 500 flying support with a 150' line.
Realistically you won't pick up much skill just flying S&L at altitude,which is all you'll get (if that sometimes!) ferrying to a fire etc...Problem is that you can't do much from the right seat except keep it warm! and fly S&L...
(IFR/SAR/and Offshore heavy's are a different deal of course)
If anyone has a dream or opportunity of flying utility heavies. It would make lots more sense to get substantial long line experience before taking it on.
Just my thoughts, Hope this helps...
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