Single Pilot to Crew

You aren't really a crew yet. You're two people in the same airplane. You have to define the rolls for each of you in the cockpit. Not sure if I saw the plane you are flying but maybe some general CRM training might be in order. You really have to sit down and talk about pilot flying duties and pilot monitoring duties.
 
Autothrust Blue said:
That's funny.

Without getting into the "any airplane can be flown single pilot and all FOs are useless baggage" argument promulgated and propagated by the chest-thumpers, there are a number of good reasons why crewed airplanes have crews, and a lot of it in my book has to do with making sure that at least one pilot is "minding the shop" with regard to positive aircraft control and terrain separation at all times, especially when things go pear-shaped.

(This wasn't always the industry's understanding; Pan American and others crashing perfectly good airplanes had something to do with this understanding being developed, though.)

A second set of eyes and hands that are trained to work with the first set is invaluable. Especially at night, in mountainous terrain and miserable weather. Of course you COULD do it by yourself, but why would you? If the operation requires (or provides) two pilots, use "all available resources..."
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WOW! You know I've done both right? Didn't think I was chest thumping. Just simply stating the fact that flying an airplane in a crew enviroment (A-la Lear31, Lear55- I do have a type ya know) is much more boring than flying the -227, because duties are split between two, so there is less to do.
 
ComplexHiAv8r said:
Yes SEL. I was handling the radio as we were hard IFR. I was also attempting to get him to run the checklist, which is where he was missing things. We had previous agreed he would fly there, I would fly back. I did once increase power as he got to slow and I just announced I was doing it.
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Does this guy moonlight as a captain at Colgan?
 
Autothrust Blue said:
Without getting into the "any airplane can be flown single pilot and all FOs are useless baggage" argument promulgated and propagated by the chest-thumpers, there are a number of good reasons why crewed airplanes have crews, and a lot of it in my book has to do with making sure that at least one pilot is "minding the shop" with regard to positive aircraft control and terrain separation at all times, especially when things go pear-shaped.
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BAH, L-1011 single pilot! On a wheely office chair! :D
 
mshunter said:
WOW! You know I've done both right? Didn't think I was chest thumping. Just simply stating the fact that flying an airplane in a crew enviroment (A-la Lear31, Lear55- I do have a type ya know) is much more boring than flying the -227, because duties are split between two, so there is less to do.
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I like boring.

Boring is safe.

Safe means I get to come home to my wife and child.

Coming home to my wife and child means I'm alive.

Being alive means that work was boring.

Repeat about once a week.
 
jtrain609 said:
I like boring.

Boring is safe.

Safe means I get to come home to my wife and child.

Coming home to my wife and child means I'm alive.

Being alive means that work was boring.

Repeat about once a week.
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I don't mind being bored either, it's good. But I still need something to do. There was this one guy I used to fly a Lear with. My gut would hurt when I got out of the plane. Then, there was this boss I used to fly a different Lear with. When we would stretch the planes range to the Max, I would have to drink coffee just to stay awake. They were both awesome pilots. But with one, no reaction, mono tone voice, etc. The other, the CVR tapes would turn a healthy profit.
 
mshunter said:
WOW! You know I've done both right? Didn't think I was chest thumping. Just simply stating the fact that flying an airplane in a crew enviroment (A-la Lear31, Lear55- I do have a type ya know) is much more boring than flying the -227, because duties are split between two, so there is less to do.
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I figured.

But I still wouldn't characterize it as "boredom."
 
mshunter said:
I don't mind being bored either, it's good. But I still need something to do. There was this one guy I used to fly a Lear with. My gut would hurt when I got out of the plane. Then, there was this boss I used to fly a different Lear with. When we would stretch the planes range to the Max, I would have to drink coffee just to stay awake. They were both awesome pilots. But with one, no reaction, mono tone voice, etc. The other, the CVR tapes would turn a healthy profit.
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If you need something to do in a 2 pilot airplane, you're not mentally engaged in the flight.

Also, you shouldn't be task-saturated in normal ops. If you are, then there is no way you'll get out of the weeds in a scenario where things get busy.

Is an ocean crossing for 6 hours a barrel of fun? Nope. But all the work that will spring into action if you have a failure causing a divert will soak up all that boredom in a hurry. Having a mental plan is always good. Reviewing contingency procedures (at least for me, as I don't have a photographic memory), keeping up on systems for recurrent, company procedures, all while boring, are part of being a professional.

Airlines dedicate so much time crafting and revising procedures, to varying degrees of success at times, so they can plop 2 (or more) pilots who have never met, give them keys to a machine and send them off with confidence they can work as a team to safely complete the flight. Also, if something comes up during the flight, the who-does-what is already settled.

It really is simple to see why some airplanes require 2 crew, even highly automated ones. As things vary away from normal, the flying plot really loses SA (whether they want to admit it or not) as attention is turned to managing and securing systems.
 
mshunter said:
WOW! You know I've done both right? Didn't think I was chest thumping. Just simply stating the fact that flying an airplane in a crew enviroment (A-la Lear31, Lear55- I do have a type ya know) is much more boring than flying the -227, because duties are split between two, so there is less to do.
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We already know you are awesome and god's gift you don't need to keep repeating it

Me personally I love to be bored, work smarter not harder. Love me some autopilot and FMS-ing. 600' a/p ON!
 
Sounds like he is just a bad pilot. Starring at a PFD and letting the AP fly the airplane while he gets behind the airplane. What makes matters worse he does not even realize when he is behind the airplane or power curve. What happens when you are not in the airplane? Are you liable if he hurts someone? Do you really want a partner whose flying scares you?
 
It's not too bad. My hardest part were the call outs and not cycling the gear / flaps instinctively.
I would suggest practicing with your sim partner as much as you can in your off time.
 
wheelsup said:
We already know you are awesome and god's gift you don't need to keep repeating it

Me personally I love to be bored, work smarter not harder. Love me some autopilot and FMS-ing. 600' a/p ON!
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I simply don't get how you, Autothrust Blue, Polar742 and jtrain609 got "it gets more boring" means "I am a super pilot, and can fly this -b- by myself!" I also don't see where "I have experience in SP and crew aircraft" translates into me keeping on repeating myself that I'm some sort of gift to aviation.

Could you refresh my memory on how you got all of that, from this?

mshunter said:
In short, if you are going to be flying a crewed airplane now, expect to be bored even more. Now duty gets split between two people, so you have even less to do.
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I read through a few times but still may have missed it. What airplane was this flight in? ComplexHiAv8r
That really makes all the difference. The thing with a "CREW" is that there is training involved and everyone has expectations of a certain level of pilot performance. There are things like recurrent training and such involved. For a part 91 guy in a simple airplane, his IFR currency could be his own bad habits every 6 months with a flight review from his buddy to get a burger every 24 months. This guy sounded like a rusty instrument pilot. When you see this, forget the CREW mentality and put your brain into CFII mode. Do your job and work the radios and navigate but cross check every move of his as well. Congratulations, you have now assumed the roll of babysitter.
 
Common misconception in aviation: Boredom = Safety

Boredom ≠ Safety

Boredom is the breeding ground for complacency.

I'd be willing to bet that NONE of you chose to fly for a living because you actually enjoy BORING. It sure as hell can't be for the pay! If you want BORING and you like BORING because you think it will get you home to your wife, kids, dog, hamster or whatever, then get a job in a cubicle and stare at a wall for 8 hours.:bang: (It'll probably pay twice as much too :D )
 
Nope, in pretty much here for the boring. It beats the hell out if exciting, which I've seen a time or two. Nope, boring wins for me.
 
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Boring is fine. As a guy who's checked the "Northeast SPIFR" box, I wouldn't want to do that for a long period of time. After a couple years, I burnt out. Autopilots and autothrottles pay more, too.
 
TwoTwoLeft said:
This guy sounded like a rusty instrument pilot. When you see this, forget the CREW mentality and put your brain into CFII mode. Do your job and work the radios and navigate but cross check every move of his as well. Congratulations, you have now assumed the roll of babysitter.
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Doesn't sound rusty, sounds like a rich guy with a plane who feels that he flies well enough, even though a professional pilot in the plane with him thinks differently. I imagine with enough 2 crew work, his flying skills could be improved. But if he is willing to fly hard IMC now because of the PFD and AP helping him out, he will probably revert to his poor technique when not being babysat. He was probably bored while playing with the PFD, with the stall horn blaring.
 
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