Flight Crew per Aircraft

[Baronman]

I was wondering how many pilots does a company have to employ per aircraft? I realize there is great variablity according to the aircraft type and it's role (long range/short range) but if anyone out there could tell me about their company/aircraft I'd appreciate it.

 

[FL270]

Depends on the type of operation and how often the aircraft is flown, and on what missions, etc. Airlines typically staff their aircraft at something like five crews (ten pilots) per airplane, but that number varies significantly.

At my company, we have one low-utilization King Air. We have two pilots, and we always fly as a crew. I know of another company that has two business jets, very high utilization (600+ hours a year on each). They have six pilots ... the idea being that four are flying, and the other two have days off, vacation, FlightSafety, whatever.

The answer to your question is "all over the map" ... there are WAY too many variables to consider.

 

[Cheechako]

Skywest plans about 4.5 crews per airplane.

 

[Olduser]

I think the NBAA reccomendation for corporate flight departments is 2.5 to 3 pilots per airplane. This (hopefully) covers vacations, sick days, training, etc. with pilots being gone. There's a company that operates a Citation Ultra and a Turbo Commander into the airport I work at. They have 4 full time pilots, 1 part timer, and a couple of guys they can call if they need additional pilots.