Pilatus down in northeast Wyoming

[Bell206]

Is that even a discussion?

Not even. And if you follow where the industry is headed, it will take SPIFR operations and aircraft to the next level. Perhaps look up Extended Minimum Crew Operations – Single Pilot Operations (eMCO-SiPO) which are directed more toward air carrier levels which got their start at the lower levels going back many years. The only groups who are really against it are pilot unions for obvious reasons.

 

[MauleSkinner]

Consider the environmental conditions - potential turbulence and SLDs. How many of us hand-fly in those conditions very often? It’s certainly not the 6HITS in VMC or the sim or perhaps more docile weather we often use to maintain currency. And the higher performance nature can lead to getting behind the aircraft quickly, though he did do upset recovery training specific to that aircraft. Different in real-world conditions, though, especially if you haven’t done it recently or regularly.

SLDs should be hand flown in most airplanes.

 

[Caractacus]

More Occam for the chat. Waiting two years for the appeal to authority clowns to describe the water, is banal to a fault. The (instrument cross check) atrophy is real among the avionics doodad crowd, pros very much included. People keep handwaving it away (IMC hand flying atrophy masked behind automation on the daily) as no big deal...and they keep dying.

I just don't want the rEguLatOr to outlaw single-pilot IFR, which these case studies certainly don't help with.

ETA: Called it!

This is definitely going to be on my mind. I am upgrading my Mooney with a GFC500 in a couple of months because I think it will greatly help with workload on long cross country flights, but i do intend to continue hand-flying a substantial amount even with it installed. I'll definitely be keeping an eye on any degradation in my hand flying abilities once it's in the plane and getting used regularly.

 

[Flying Keys]

SLDs should be hand flown in most airplanes.

Right, but point was more “how many people have actually gotten to fly in these conditions often enough to be considered proficient at it?” Which of course goes well beyond currency.

 

[Kenny Phillips]

Is that even a discussion?

Two idiots can crash a plane just as easily as one, dontcha know?

Philly, Akron, and Teterboro come to mind instantly.

 

[MauleSkinner]

Right, but point was more “how many people have actually gotten to fly in these conditions often enough to be considered proficient at it?” Which of course goes well beyond currency.

Hopefully very few. SLD is much better avoided, as ice protection isn’t certified for it.