King Air 350 Singe Pilot on AOC

[SammySu]

Whilst the 350 is certified for SP and can be flown SP I was always under the impression that it had to be 2 crew for any commercial ops. Based on the ANO requiring 2 pilots for PT flights by aircraft over 5700kg. Moving forward to EU-OPS and now EASA IRs all I can find is that 2 crew are required for IFR flight in turboprops with a MOPSC of more than 9. (ORO.FC.200).


So if a King Air 350 is configured with only 8 seats + 1 on the potty, does that mean that it could be operated as CAT on an EASA AOC with only a single pilot?


One of those frustrating situations where you thought you have always known the answer but now can't find any regulatory/legislative entry to confirm or clarify!


Any of the UK operators working SP? - Gama/Xclusive Jet/FlairJet?

[Son of a Beech]

Well, according to my knowledge if you fly SP the right hand cockpit seat can be used for pax so that would make it a 10 pax plane

But are you talking about IFR or VFR? Cause I think your 9 pax rules only applies for VFR. IFR is two crew regardless. Also on a piper chieftain if you will

[SammySu]

IFR requires 2 crew in a pressurised turboprop under the ANO so required if flying PT under an National AOC. If flying PT under a National AOC in a Chieftain then can be single pilot as the ANO has a para allowing SP with an autopilot for IFR in a twin piston.

However most tasks will be categorised as CAT requiring an EASA AOC these days. This allows SP for IFR and Night if suitable autopilot and some other regulations adhered to.

The bit I have an issue with is that even under EASA aircraft with a MOPSC of greater than 9 must be 2 pilot, but how does the Authority classify MOPSC? I know the EASA definition, and following this if I only put 8 seats in a Dash 8 and got that approved in an OM would that make it SP?!!!!! I always thought that the greater than 5700kg weight limit was the game changer - yet I can't find this in the EASA IRs - just references to MOPSC......

Under an EASA AOC you can't put pax in the RHS unless purely VFR now so that's one less.

[Noiffsorbuts]

Just a wild guess I know.......but Id place a very large bet that once the accident report and recommendations from the AAIB on the London Executive .....sorry Luxaviation...crash are published its going to be all change on single pilot AOC operation......

[Son of a Beech]

Although I'm not quite convinced that you can sel the B350 as a 9 seater aircraft (AFM says max seating is 15) and the OM has to be approved by the CAA, so f they don't approve the OM that's it. The problem is that the B350 is a bit of a grey area. It's not a part 23 aircraft (under 5700 kg) it's not a part 25 aircraft (over 5700 Kg) it's a part 23 aircraft over 5700 Kg).

I think basically what they meant here is performance class A aeroplanes

Performance class A aeroplanes’ means multi-engined aeroplanes powered by turbo-propeller engines with an MOPSC of more than nine or a maximum take-off mass exceeding 5 700 kg, and all multi-engined turbo-jet powered aeroplanes.

As far as your dash-8 plan goes this won't work because in the beginning of ORO.FC.100 Composition of flight crew, it says:

The composition of the flight crew and the number of flight crew members at designated crew stations shall be not less than the minimum specified in the aircraft flight manual or operating limitations prescribed for the aircraft.

And I'm sure it says 2 pilots in the AFM.

But if your local CAA will approve a B350 with 9 seats single pilot, by all means go for it.

Having flown both the B350 and the CJ series I rather fly single pilot in a CJ (multi engine turbo jet powered aeroplanes) than a B350 but according to EASA this is difficult and definitely not allowed. So much for smart rules and regulations ��

[SammySu]

Thanks for the discussion (though the Dash 8 was tongue in cheek as its not a single pilot rating) 😀

Agree that the 350 seems to be a grey area - and also agree that a suitably certified jet is easier SP - too many levers in a TP. Not sure I'd want to operate/ be flown in a 350 that wasn't being operated multi-crew.

[DGAC]

The seating capacity that you operate with, must conform to a seating configuration that is stated in the AFM. With a 10 seater aircraft you cannot just remove 2 seats and say that you are now operating an 8 seater, unless there is an approved 8 seat configuration in the AFM

[Son of a Beech]

The VIP version is 8/1(toilet) with optional 2 folding seats in the bagage compartment