Hugh Jarse
Mate, this has been debated to death, but it is perfectly legal for a cadet to log ICUS under normal ops if:
1. They hold the minimum of a CPL.
2. They have a command endorsement on type.
3. The company authorises FO’s including cadets to log ICUS. This will usually be spelt out in the company ops manual.
4. The company states that all line captains are authorises to supervise FO’s logging ICUS when the FO’s the pilot flying. This will usually be spelt out as in 3.
Not all companies will have this in place but in those that do it is done on a regular basis. It is widely done in airlines like QF mainline that employ large numbers of cadets. It is obvious why they do do it, because if they didn’t the cadets would never qualify for an ATPL and hence a command. It must also be pointed out that ICUS isn’t PIC. Only one pilot can log PIC and that is the captain.
All this is possible through CAR 5.40. It is a common rule throughout the world in various countries aviation regulations. It was developed by ICAO for airlines so they could employ cadets and low time pilots that under normal circumstances would never qualify for an ATPL due to lack of command hours. ICUS is also known as P1US.
5.40 Pilot acting in command under supervision
(1) A person may fly an aircraft as pilot acting in command under supervision only if:
(a) the person holds:
(i) a commercial pilot licence or an air transport pilot licence;
or
(ii) a certificate of validation that has effect as if it were a commercial pilot licence or an air transport pilot licence;
and
(b) the person holds an aircraft endorsement that authorizes him or her to fly the aircraft as pilot in command;
and
(c) if the person proposes to carry out an activity for which a flight crew rating, or grade of flight crew rating, that permits him or her to carry out that activity as pilot in command of the aircraft concerned;
and
(d) the person is the co-pilot of the aircraft;
and
(e) the operator of the aircraft permits the person to fly the aircraft as pilot acting in command under supervision;
and
(f) the pilot in command of the aircraft is appointed for the purpose by the operator of the aircraft.