Multi-pilot helicopters?

[MD900 Explorer]

Multi Crew ...

Bomber,

Well thats the UK for you. Just saying what i have experienced, and that is not in the UK but Scandinavia.

My experience has shown that without the MCC and CRM, working in a multi crew enviorment for the purposes of IFR flying has not been possible.

I don't want to hold this thread up, by getting side tracked in this discussion, but a valid pointer.

MD

[g.jongeneelen]

When you are talking about the crew composition here, you are talking about civilian rules like JAR.

As far as i could see all the mentioned helicopters in this topic have a civilian version that is in that case obviously civil certified.

The NH90 however does NOT have a civilian version (yet).

I myself am working in the NH90 program, and the NH90 is contracted to be a single pilot aircraft. Whether or not it can be flown single pilot is stated in the Flight Manual. For instance the Lynx Flight Manual states as minimum crew one pilot in the righthand seat.

Because the qualification and certification of the NH90 is not finished yet, there is no 100% garantee the NH90 will be certified single pilot according to civilian rules, but because the Ministry of Defence is not always following the civilian rules (exception) the plan in for instance The Netherlands is to fly the NH90 single pilot.

A little addition to the previous:

Also for SAR and IFR single pilot operations are possible. The Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) is flying the Lynx both IFR and for SAR with only one pilot if nessecary.

I do need to mention that training for this kind of operations is very important. RNLN pilots spend a lot of time in a Full Mission Flight Trainer and in actual flight to be ready for this way of operating.

[rotordk]

So your saying they will change the rules in JAR for IFR and allow 10+ passengers be flown single pilot IFR ?

[Mars]

It would be unlikely that JAR-OPS 3 would change in that respect.

[rotordk]

I agree, but I have to ask g.jongeneelen the question due to his statement. I do suspect he is not involved with any civilian operation.

[g.jongeneelen]

I was not saying we are going to change the JAR OPS, and would not even want to. My opinion is that there is probably a very good reason for the JAA to do things this way.

And rotordk, indeed i was NOT talking about civilian operations. I know that if you're flying under JAR OPS this will not be possible. This is why, if the NH90 ever gets a JAR certification, probably it will not be possible to fly it IFR under JAR OPS, single pilot.

But most probably, for military users, the flight manual will allow single pilot operations under IFR.