Firstly, the FAA has signed a "special clause" approval letter for Alpine Air for those who do the FO/PIC program. And, yes, it falls under the sole manipulator of the controls clause. It works...lots of guys have got a good jump in the airlines that way. Especially because the 1900 requires a type rating. Also, I am a born and bred US Citizen...no green card required. The other thing is the company does a fair amount of empty legs, so I was able to have the SIC required restriction removed from my license. In that case, my type rating is now single pilot (even though at the moment I can't use it as such unless I purchase my own 1900
). I didn't pay for SIC time, I paid for PIC twin turbine time to make up for some lost time while deploying to Iraq and such. Looking at some of those commuting contract type operators that fly in "austere locations". Sounds promising according to a couple Director of OPS I've spoke to. I'm just looking for further outward perspective on my position.