VOLUME 3 General technical Administration
CHAPTER 68 Part 135 Second In Command Professional Development Program
Section 1 Safety Assurance System: Part 135 Second in Command Professional Development Program
Source Basis:
• Section 61.23, Medical Certificates: Requirement and Duration.
• Section 119.5, Certifications, Authorizations, and Prohibitions.
• Section 119.43, Certificate Holder’s Duty to Maintain Operations Specifications.
• Section 120.1, Applicability.
• Section 120.7, Definitions.
• Section 120.115, Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Section 135.21, Manual Requirements.
• Section 135.23, Manual Contents.
• Section 135.63, Recordkeeping Requirements.
• Section 135.83, Operating Information Required.
• Section 135.89, Pilot Requirements: Use of Oxygen.
• Section 135.99, Composition of Flight Crew.
• Section 135.109, Pilot in Command or Second in Command: Designation Required.
• Section 135.117, Briefing of Passengers Before Flight.
• Section 135.123, Emergency and Emergency Evacuation Duties.
• Section 135.151, Cockpit Voice Recorders.
• Section 135.157, Oxygen Equipment Requirements.
• Section 135.245, Second in Command Qualifications.
• Section 135.263, Flight Time Limitations and Rest Requirements: All Certificate Holders.
• Section 135.291, Applicability.
• Section 135.293, Initial and Recurrent Pilot Testing Requirements.
• Section 135.301, Crewmember: Tests and Checks, Grace Provisions, Training to Accepted Standards.
• Section 135.321, Applicability and Terms Used.
• Section 135.323, Training Program: General.
• Section 135.327, Training Program: Curriculum.
• Section 135.329, Crewmember Training Requirements.
• Section 135.330, Crew Resource Management Training.
• Section 135.331, Crewmember Emergency Training.
• Section 135.343, Crewmember Initial and Recurrent Training Requirements.
• Section 135.345, Pilots: Initial, Transition, and Upgrade Ground Training.
• Section 135.347, Pilots: Initial, Transition, Upgrade, and Differences Flight Training.
• Section 135.351, Recurrent Training.
• Section 135.501, Applicability and Definitions.
• Section 135.505, Hazardous Materials Training Required.
3-68-1-1 REPORTING SYSTEM(S). Use Safety Assurance System (SAS) automation and the associated Data Collection Tools (DCT).
3-68-1-3 GENERAL. This section contains policy and direction to be used by principal operations inspectors (POI) responsible for the evaluation, approval, and surveillance of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 135 Second in Command Professional Development Programs (SIC PDP). An SIC PDP allows a pilot employed by a part 135 air carrier/operator and serving as an assigned second in command (SIC) in a multiengine airplane or single-engine, turbine-powered airplane to log SIC flight time during operations that do not require a second pilot. The current edition of Advisory Circular (AC) 135-43, Part 135 Second in Command Professional Development Program, provides information and guidelines for part 135 air carriers/operators to aid in the development of an SIC PDP which meets the requirements of part 135, § 135.99(c).
3-68-1-5 OBJECTIVES. The objectives of an SIC PDP include:
A. Developing Professional Pilots. A comprehensive SIC PDP can provide opportunities for beneficial operational experience in a multipilot environment that may not otherwise exist. An SIC PDP can also provide a strong foundational experience for a developing professional pilot.
B. Increased Safety. An SIC PDP can provide increased safety in operations conducted with two pilots instead of one pilot.
3-68-1-7 REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS. In accordance with § 135.99, a 14 CFR part 119 certificate holder authorized to conduct part 135 operations must be specifically authorized via operations specification (OpSpec) A062 to conduct an SIC PDP. The POI should follow the approval process in Volume 3, Chapter 19, Section 2 to approve revisions to the training program to meet the requirements for an SIC PDP. Once the air carrier/operator has met all the requirements explained in subparagraphs 3-68-1-7A through 3-68-1-7H, the POI may authorize the SIC PDP via OpSpec A062. See Volume 3, Chapter 18, Section 3 for additional information on the completion of the OpSpec.
NOTE: OpSpec A062 will be available in the Web-based Operations Safety System (WebOPSS) on the effective date of § 135.99(c), November 26, 2018. Certificate holders may submit and a POI may review an SIC PDP prior to the effective date. However, the POI may not authorize an SIC PDP using OpSpec A062 until the effective date.
A. General Requirements.
1) In accordance with § 135.99(c), the air carrier/operator must be authorized to conduct IFR operations under part 135.
2) In accordance with § 135.99(d), air carriers/operators may not be authorized to conduct an SIC PDP if it uses only one pilot in its operations or it has been approved to deviate from the requirements in § 135.21(a), § 135.341(a), or part 119, § 119.69(a). Therefore, A062 may not be issued to any air carrier/operator who is authorized to operate as a basic operator, single-pilot-in-command (PIC) operator, or single-pilot operator in accordance with OpSpec A037, OpSpec A038, OpSpec A039, or OpSpec A040.
3) The air carrier/operator must have an accepted manual, as required by §§ 135.21 and 135.23.
4) The air carrier/operator must have approved SIC training and qualification curriculums as required by part 135 subparts G, H, and K.
5) The air carrier/operator must have approved PIC training for pilots who will serve as PICs on flights conducted in accordance with an SIC PDP.
6) The air carrier/operator must maintain records in accordance with § 135.63.
7) In accordance with § 135.99(c)(1)(iii), the air carrier/operator must have data collection and analysis processes acceptable to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that will enable the air carrier/operator and the FAA to determine whether the SIC PDP is accomplishing the objectives.
B. Aircraft Requirements. In accordance with § 135.99(c)(2), the aircraft must be a multiengine airplane or single-engine, turbine-powered airplane and have the following:
1) An independent set of controls (i.e., control wheel or side stick, rudder pedals, and brakes) for a second pilot flightcrew member. The airplane may not have a throwover control wheel.
2) Independent flight instrumentation for a second pilot flightcrew member including at least the following:
• Airspeed indicator;
• Sensitive altimeter adjustable for barometric pressure;
• Gyroscopic bank and pitch indicator (artificial horizon);
• Gyroscopic rate-of-turn indicator combined with an integral slip-skid indicator;
• Gyroscopic direction indicator (directional gyro (DG) or equivalent);
• For IFR operations, vertical speed indicator (VSI) (rate-of-climb indicator);
• For IFR operations, course guidance for en route navigation and instrument approaches; and
• Any additional instrumentation required by the air carrier’s/operator’s OpSpecs.
3) An oxygen mask, oxygen dispenser, and oxygen supply for a second pilot flightcrew member in accordance with §§ 135.89 and 135.157, as applicable.
4) A microphone, transmit switch, and headphone or speaker for a second pilot flightcrew member.
NOTE: A cockpit voice recorder (CVR) is not required for operations conducted under an approved SIC PDP. In accordance with § 135.151, no person may operate a multiengine, turbine‑powered airplane or rotorcraft having a passenger seating configuration of six or more and for which two pilots are required by certification or operating rules, unless it is equipped with an approved CVR that meets certain requirements. A flight under an approved SIC PDP is not considered an operation for which two pilots are required by operating rules.
C. Manual Requirements. The air carrier/operator must have an accepted manual, as required by §§ 135.21 and 135.23, which must contain for each airplane used in an SIC PDP:
1) Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Conducting Operations With Two Pilots. The SOP must include at least the following, as applicable:
• Normal procedures, non-normal procedures, abnormal procedures, and emergency procedures (refer to § 135.327(b)(3));
• Checklist in accordance with § 135.83;
• Weight and Balance (W&B) and load manifest procedures as required by § 135.23(b);
• Passenger briefing procedures in accordance with § 135.117;
• Functions assigned each crewmember to be performed in an emergency or emergency evacuation in accordance with § 135.123; and
• Any other procedures applicable to operations conducted with two pilots in accordance with § 135.23(s).
NOTE: If the air carrier/operator uses the same airplane to conduct operations with one pilot, the manual must also contain the above information for operations with one pilot.
2) Duties and Responsibilities for an SIC. Refer to § 135.329(a)(1)(i).
3) Crew Pairing Requirements in Accordance With § 135.99(c)(4).
D. SIC Requirements. In accordance with § 135.99(c)(3), to serve as an assigned SIC under an SIC PDP, a person must meet the same certification, qualification, training, testing, and checking requirements as required by part 135 for a required SIC.
NOTE: If an air carrier/operator is authorized under § 135.3(c) to comply with the applicable sections of part 121 subparts N and O instead of the requirements in part 135 subparts E, G, and H, the assigned SIC must meet the certification, qualification, training, and checking requirements as required by part 121 subparts N and O, except the assigned SIC may meet the requirements of § 135.245 instead of the requirements of § 121.436.
1) Certification Requirements.
a) Airman Certificate. In accordance with § 135.245, an assigned SIC must hold at least a Commercial Pilot Certificate with an airplane category and appropriate class rating and an instrument rating.
b) Medical Certificate. In accordance with 14 CFR part 61, § 61.23(a)(2), an assigned SIC must hold at least a second-class medical certificate.
2) Qualification Requirements. In accordance with § 135.245, for operations conducted under IFR, an assigned SIC must meet the instrument experience requirements specified in § 135.245(c).
3) Part 135 Subpart H Training Requirements. In accordance with § 135.343, an assigned SIC must have satisfactorily completed the appropriate initial or recurrent training curriculum within the preceding 12 calendar-months. An assigned SIC must have satisfactorily completed the air carrier/operator’s approved SIC training as follows:
• Indoctrination training as specified in § 135.329(a)(1);
• Initial or transition ground training, as applicable, as specified in § 135.345;
• Emergency training as specified in § 135.331;
• Crew Resource Management (CRM) training as specified in § 135.330;
• Initial or transition flight training, as applicable, as specified in § 135.347;
• Differences flight training, as applicable, as specified in § 135.347;
• Recurrent ground and flight training as specified in § 135.351; and
• Training as specified in § 135.329(e), as applicable.
NOTE: In accordance with § 135.323(b), if a crewmember completes recurrent training in the calendar-month before or the calendar-month after the month in which that training is required, the crewmember is considered to have completed the recurrent training in the calendar-month in which it was required.
4) Part 135 Subpart K Training Requirements. In accordance with § 135.505(a), if an assigned SIC has duties or responsibilities to perform any of the job functions specified in § 135.501(a), then the assigned SIC must have satisfactorily completed the air carrier/operator’s approved initial or recurrent hazardous materials (hazmat) training curriculum within the preceding 24 calendar-months. The job functions are not dependent on whether the air carrier/operator is a will-carry or will-not-carry air carrier/operator. An air carrier/operator must clearly specify in the manual required by § 135.21 whether or not an assigned SIC has duties or responsibilities to perform any of the job functions specified in § 135.501(a).
NOTE: In accordance with § 135.505(d), a person who satisfactorily completes recurrent hazmat training in the calendar-month before or the calendar-month after the month in which the recurrent training is due is considered to have taken that training during the month in which it is due.
5) Part 135 Subpart G Testing and Checking Requirements. In accordance with § 135.293, an assigned SIC must have satisfactorily completed a written or oral test and a competency check within the preceding 12 calendar-months.
NOTE: In accordance with § 135.301(a), if a crewmember completes a required test or check in the calendar-month before or the calendar-month after the calendar-month in which it is required, that crewmember is considered to have completed the test or check in the calendar-month in which it is required.
6) OpSpecs Requirements. In accordance with §§ 119.5(l) and 119.43(b)(2), an assigned SIC must satisfactorily complete any training, testing, or checking required by the air carrier/operator’s OpSpecs for the operations conducted. For example, OpSpec B046 specifies that the flightcrew must have completed approved training on Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) operating practices and procedures. Therefore, an assigned SIC must have completed the air carrier/operator’s approved training on RVSM operating practices and procedures before serving in operations conducted in RVSM airspace.
NOTE: To conduct certain operations, some OpSpecs specifically require the flight to be conducted with an SIC flightcrew member. For example, OpSpec C079 specifies that the airplane must be operated with a flightcrew consisting of at least two pilots. OpSpec C079 further specifies that use of an autopilot in lieu of a required SIC is not authorized. Therefore, for operations conducted in accordance with OpSpec C079, the SIC is a required flightcrew member in accordance with § 135.109 and is not serving under an SIC PDP.
7) Title 14 CFR Part 120 Requirements. In accordance with part 120, an assigned SIC is a covered employee performing a safety-sensitive function. Therefore, an air carrier/operator must comply with the drug and alcohol testing requirements of part 120 for assigned SICs. The assigned SIC must also complete the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) training required by part 120, § 120.115.
E. PIC Requirements. In accordance with § 135.99(c)(4), to serve as a PIC conducting operations with an assigned SIC under an SIC PDP, a PIC must have been fully qualified as a PIC for the air carrier/operator for at least the previous 6 calendar-months. The PIC must have also satisfactorily completed the air carrier/operator’s approved initial and recurrent (as applicable) PIC training as follows:
1) Mentoring training, including techniques for instilling and reinforcing the highest standards of technical performance, airmanship, and professionalism. In accordance with § 135.99(c)(4)(ii), PICs must complete this training every 36 calendar-months. Suggested topics include:
• Definition of mentoring,
• Objectives of mentoring,
• Role of a mentor and developing mentoring skills,
• Structure and boundaries for the mentor–protege relationship,
• Communication considerations, and
• Practical exercises.
2) CRM training as specified in § 135.330 for operations conducted with two pilots.
3) Training as specified in § 135.329(e) for operations conducted with two pilots.
F. Flight Time, Duty Period, and Rest Requirements. In accordance with § 135.99(c)(3), the air carrier/operator, the PIC, and the assigned SIC must comply with the flight time, duty period, and rest requirements of part 135 subpart F. If a flight sequence is assigned to a PIC as a two-pilot operation under an SIC PDP, subsequent removal of an assigned SIC from a flight for any reason is not considered a circumstance beyond the control of the air carrier/operator or flightcrew member under § 135.263(d). Therefore, to operate the flight, the PIC must meet the flight time, duty period, and rest requirements applicable to one-pilot operations.
G. Recordkeeping Requirements. In accordance with § 135.99(c)(1), the air carrier/operator must maintain records for an assigned SIC in accordance with § 135.63 and must provide a copy of the records required by § 135.63(a)(4)(vi) and (x) to the assigned SIC upon request and within a reasonable time. A reasonable time for the air carrier/operator to provide the requested records to the pilot is generally within 20 calendar-days, which is similar to the timeframe in which an air carrier/operator must provide a pilot with Pilot Records Improvement Act of 1996 (PRIA) records.
NOTE: As specified in Title 49 of the United States Code (49 U.S.C.) § 44703(h) and (i), the air carrier/operator must comply with PRIA. Refer to AC 120-68, Pilot Records Improvement Act of 1996, for information regarding PRIA.
H. Data Collection and Analysis Process. In accordance with § 135.99(c)(1)(iii), the air carrier/operator must have a data collection and analysis process that will enable the air carrier/operator and the FAA to determine whether the SIC PDP is accomplishing the objectives. The data collection and analysis process should have the following minimum components to continually ensure compliance with the SIC PDP requirements, identify nonconformance to policies and procedures, and identify opportunities to improve the SIC PDP.
1) Evaluation Process. A method to evaluate the SIC PDP and the effectiveness of the training, testing, and checking for the assigned SICs and PICs participating in the SIC PDP. Some possible methods that may be used include the following:
• Operating experience for newly assigned SICs conducted by check pilots qualified under § 135.337;
• Line checks of assigned SICs and PICs conducted by check pilots qualified under § 135.337; and
• Other quality assurance (QA) verifications during the training, testing, and checking of assigned SICs and PICs or during revenue operations.
2) Feedback. A method for assigned SICs and PICs to provide feedback to senior management regarding the SIC PDP and the effectiveness of the training, testing, and checking for the assigned SICs and PICs participating in the SIC PDP.
3) Corrective Action Process. A method for taking corrective action when deficiencies have been identified through either the evaluation process or feedback.
NOTE: The data provided to the FAA may be de-identified by removing employee names.
3-68-1-9 LOGGING FLIGHT TIME. In accordance with § 61.51(f)(3), on or after November 26, 2018, pilots operating under an SIC PDP may log flight time during certain 14 CFR parts 91 and 135 operations, provided the flight operation is conducted in accordance with § 135.99(c), which includes complying with the air carrier/operator’s OpSpec A062.
A. Additional Requirements for Part 91 Operations. To log flight time under an SIC PDP during part 91 flights, the following requirements apply as specified in OpSpec A062:
1) The certificate holder must maintain responsibility for operational control using the system described in OpSpec A008.
2) Crewmembers must use the manual required by § 135.21 and the operating information required by § 135.83.
3) For multiengine airplanes, the certificate holder must meet the recordkeeping requirements of § 135.63(c) and (d).
B. PIC Flight Time.
1) Assigned PIC. In accordance with § 61.51(e)(5), on or after November 26, 2018, a commercial pilot or airline transport pilot (ATP) may log PIC flight time while acting as PIC of an operation conducted in accordance with § 135.99(c).
2) Assigned SIC. In accordance with §§ 61.51(e)(1)(i) and 61.159(c)(4), an assigned SIC of an operation conducted in accordance with § 135.99(c) may not log PIC flight time, even when the assigned SIC is the sole manipulator of the controls.
C. SIC Flight Time. In accordance with § 61.51(f)(3), on or after November 26, 2018, an assigned SIC may log SIC flight time while serving as an SIC of an operation conducted in accordance with § 135.99(c), provided the requirements of § 61.159(c) are met.
1) Aeronautical Experience Requirements of §§ 61.159, 61.160, and 61.161.
a) Permitted. On or after November 26, 2018, SIC flight time logged in accordance with § 61.159(c) may be used to meet the following requirements:
1. Aeronautical experience requirements specified in § 61.159(a) for an ATP Certificate, except for the flight time requirements specified in § 61.159(a)(5).
2. Aeronautical experience requirements specified in § 61.160 for an ATP Certificate with restricted privileges.
3. Aeronautical experience requirements specified in § 61.161(a) for an ATP Certificate, except for the specific helicopter flight time requirements.
NOTE: As required by § 61.39(a)(3), if applying for the practical test with flight time accomplished under § 61.159(c), an applicant must present a copy of the records required by § 135.63(a)(4)(vi) and (x) to the inspector or examiner.
b) Not Permitted. SIC flight time logged in accordance with § 61.159(c) may not be used to meet the following requirements:
1. Flight time requirements specified in § 61.159(a)(5).
2. Specific helicopter flight time requirements specified in § 61.161(a)(2) through (4) (e.g., night and instrument).
2) Aeronautical Experience Requirements of Part 135. On or after November 26, 2018, SIC flight time logged in accordance with § 61.159(c) may be used to meet the following requirements:
a) Flight time requirements specified in § 135.4(a)(2)(i), (a)(3), and (a)(4) for “eligible on‑demand operations.”
b) Flight time requirements specified in § 135.243(b)(2) or (c)(2), as applicable, to qualify to serve as a PIC in part 135 operations.
c) Aeronautical experience requirements specified in § 135.247(a)(3)(i) and (ii) for recent experience.
3-68-1-11 LOGBOOK ENDORSEMENT FOR EACH FLIGHT. In accordance with § 61.159(c)(3), to log SIC flight time while serving as an SIC of an operation conducted in accordance with § 135.99(c), the PIC must certify in the assigned SIC’s logbook that the flight time was conducted in accordance with § 61.159(c).
3-68-1-13 through 3-68-1-27 RESERVED.