Simviation Forums

I read in the Chicago Sun-Times today that a plane,a King Air, took off from Fort Meyer and immediately after taking-off the pilot died, from most likely a heart attack. A passenger, who is a civilian pilot but licensed for single engine aircraft took over and with the help of the Air Traffic Controller,who called a friend knowledgable with the King Air, was able to safely land the aircraft.
My hats off to this person for keeping a level head and saving all lives involved.

See this would have been remarkable if the passenger was someone who never flew an aircraft before. But since he/she is already a pilot and knows how to fly there is nothing special to it...

Crash

http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/152 ... 09.article

...just curious...

If it's a commercial Passenger Aircraft (King Air), shouldn't there be a Co-Pilot in the right-hand seat, ready to take over?

Paul..G-BPLF... 8-)...!

Beat you to the story...

King Airs can be certified for single pilot operations.

Beat you to the story...

King Airs can be certified for single pilot operations.

...next time your board a King Air, make sure there is.....

(a) A Pilot.
(b) A Co-Pilot.
(c) At least one Experienced Flight Sim Enthusiast.

...on board......!

Paul...G-BPLF... ...!

http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/1524191,w-passenger-plane-lands-pilot-dies-041309.article

...just curious...

If it's a commercial Passenger Aircraft (King Air), shouldn't there be a Co-Pilot in the right-hand seat, ready to take over?

Paul..G-BPLF... 8-)...!

Only the RAF insist on two pilot operation. Then again, they are teaching people to fly multi-crew aircraft.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/1524191,w-passenger-plane-lands-pilot-dies-041309.article

...just curious...

If it's a commercial Passenger Aircraft (King Air), shouldn't there be a Co-Pilot in the right-hand seat, ready to take over?

Paul..G-BPLF... 8-)...!

Only the RAF insist on two pilot operation. Then again, they are teaching people to fly multi-crew aircraft.

Blimey... ...!

Aren't Co-Pilots in Commercial Passenger Aircraft trained to fly, and land an aircraft, in an emergency siuation, (Pilot-in-charge dies, or gets taken seriously ill).... ...?

Paul.... 8-)...!

http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/1524191,w-passenger-plane-lands-pilot-dies-041309.article

...just curious...

If it's a commercial Passenger Aircraft (King Air), shouldn't there be a Co-Pilot in the right-hand seat, ready to take over?

Paul..G-BPLF... 8-)...!

Only the RAF insist on two pilot operation. Then again, they are teaching people to fly multi-crew aircraft.

Blimey... ...!

Aren't Co-Pilots in Commercial Passenger Aircraft trained to fly, and land an aircraft, in an emergency siuation, (Pilot-in-charge dies, or gets taken seriously ill).... ...?

Paul.... 8-)...!

Yep and often the co-pilot will do more than 50% of the actual flying, take off, land. In fact, they'll act just the same as the captain, but without the additional responsibility.

You don't have to have a copilot in a King Air, commercial flight or otherwise.

In normal flight, it's just like a big GA aeroplane (well, it is). No different to flying a (reasonably heavy) light twin piston.

Sorry to labour the point, Chums... ..!

But as there is always the possibility of the Captain-in-Charge being taken ill in an Aircraft full of paying Passengers, commercial or otherwise, wouldn't the safety regulations insist on there being a Co-Pilot in the right-hand seat, to take over control, in the emergency?

The passenger 'Bus containing the single dead Driver, will inevitably coast to a standstill on the road...and the passengers will (safely) alight..

The passenger Aircraft containing the single dead Pilot, will fall to the ground from a great height, guaranteeing the death of all on board... ...!

Co-Pilot a good idea?... [smiley=thumbsup.gif]...?

Paul... ...!

Lots of small airlines operate aircraft with only one pilot Paul. Probably a case of economics. Been that way for years & the pilot usually acts as baggage handler & general dogsbody as well as flying the aircraft. I note that Skysouth, the local airline at Shoreham has recently ceased operations for the second time in two years. http://www.skysouth.co.uk/

Skysouth operated a scheduled service with one PA-31 Piper Chieftain with one crew member.

Lots of small airlines operate aircraft with only one pilot Paul. Probably a case of economics. Been that way for years & the pilot usually acts as baggage handler & general dogsbody as well as flying the aircraft. I note that Skysouth, the local airline at Shoreham has recently ceased operations for the second time in two years. http://www.skysouth.co.uk/

Skysouth operated a scheduled service with one PA-31 Piper Chieftain with one crew member.

Not to mention the numerous DH Rapides that fly passengers at shows around the country. I suspect those that operate the Twin Otter up in the Scottish islands are single pilot too.

Not to mention the numerous DH Rapides that fly passengers at shows around the country.

Good point. Many of the older small airliners like the Rapide only have one pilot's position. As for numerous, I can only find 12 Rapides on the CAA civil aircraft register. It would be interesting to know how many of those are currently airworthy & certified to carry passengers.

I suspect those that operate the Twin Otter up in the Scottish islands are single pilot too.

That's quite possible. I believe that the Islander & Trislander (3 engines & up to 17 passengers) are usually operated with one crew member. This leaves room for another passenger up front.

Our flight from Lands End to the Scilly Iles was with a single pilot, granted it was 13 years ago (!) but I doubt much has changed