Right seat in king air....

youngflyer · May 9th, 2008, 18:43

I was wondering if over the summer it would be possible for me to get into a right seat of a king air or some type like that just to observe and get some valuable non-flying experience. It seems like most King Air's are operated by one pilot so it would be so neat to ride along. Would that be legally possible and physically possible? I know probably not but that would be amazing! If there is a way how should i start?

sixoneseven · May 9th, 2008, 18:45

There is no legal issue behind it. You won't be flying it. You can't act as PIC or even log the time towards anything. As far as the law is concerned you're a passenger and thats it. If you know someone that operates a King Air and can get into the right seat and observe do it! That's the only way you will get in one though.

mojo6911 · May 9th, 2008, 19:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixoneseven

There is no legal issue behind it. You won't be flying it. You can't act as PIC or even log the time towards anything. As far as the law is concerned you're a passenger and thats it. If you know someone that operates a King Air and can get into the right seat and observe do it! That's the only way you will get in one though.

If the pilot is a multi-engine instructor, and willing to offer it as dual given, it can be logged.

youngflyer · May 9th, 2008, 19:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixoneseven

There is no legal issue behind it. You won't be flying it. You can't act as PIC or even log the time towards anything. As far as the law is concerned you're a passenger and thats it. If you know someone that operates a King Air and can get into the right seat and observe do it! That's the only way you will get in one though.

Alright cool. Problem is that I am relatively new to aviation but my instructor knows TONS of king air pilots. Maybe I can get him to hook me up..

jtrain609 · May 9th, 2008, 19:14

http://forums.jetcareers.com/hot-top...-new-post.html

Propilot · May 9th, 2008, 19:14

It never hurts to ask, just be prepared for rejection.

You will probably have the best chance of success with an owner pilot.

youngflyer · May 9th, 2008, 19:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Propilot

It never hurts to ask, just be prepared for rejection.

You will probably have the best chance of success with an owner pilot.

Yeah. I figure it could be considered a "little internship"? I just dont know were to start.

N519AT · May 9th, 2008, 19:24

I have flown in the KA350 and a PC12, the KA350 in a Corporate Flight Department and the PC12 is a owned by multiple people but flown by one pilot. Just go up and ask the pilots if they would like someone to work the radios for any upcoming trips...that's what I did, and it worked out great. So much so that the pilot of the PC12 (who also flies 4 other airplanes) said that if see a plane going out on a day that fits my schedule and the right seat is empty, I'm more than welcome to come.

It's a really great way to network. I would try to take some of the procedures that the pilots use with a grain of salt, however. Sometimes they may do things that work great in their airplane and for their style of flying, but not so well in the 172 or whatever you will be using for your instrument ride.

Like others said, don't log it unless the pilot is an MEI and is okay with "giving dual" in the airplane.

Polar742 · May 9th, 2008, 19:28

I did that for a couple years with a 135 operation that was part of the FBO I worked for. I was a seat warmer, just decoration for the customers that wanted 2 pilots.

Paid 8 bucks a hour duty time (back in the day, that was good cash), and I learned ALOT from the pilots flying. It ended up being about 300 hrs I couldn't log. I did fly the 91 legs and log that as I was appropriately checked out per the FARs and had King Air time.

The time won't go in your logbook, but the experience is very good.

BTW, I had all the appropriate Comm/Multi/Inst, high alt endorsement when I did that.

Nick · May 9th, 2008, 19:29

An FBO I worked at for a few summers had two KingAirs for 135 charter. On the empty part 91 legs, it was okay with the pilot to have some FBO kid fly as much as they wanted since the pilot was a CFI (and also the designated examiner for most of the checkrides anyone did at this airport). On the part 135 legs with passengers in the back, the FBO kid could still sit up front, they just couldn't touch the controls.

I never got to do it but it was common.

A setup like this could give you lots of chances at getting up there and flying it.

youngflyer · May 9th, 2008, 19:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by N519AT

I have flown in the KA350 and a PC12, the KA350 in a Corporate Flight Department and the PC12 is a owned by multiple people but flown by one pilot. Just go up and ask the pilots if they would like someone to work the radios for any upcoming trips...that's what I did, and it worked out great. So much so that the pilot of the PC12 (who also flies 4 other airplanes) said that if see a plane going out on a day that fits my schedule and the right seat is empty, I'm more than welcome to come.

It's a really great way to network. I would try to take some of the procedures that the pilots use with a grain of salt, however. Sometimes they may do things that work great in their airplane and for their style of flying, but not so well in the 172 or whatever you will be using for your instrument ride.

Like others said, don't log it unless the pilot is an MEI and is okay with "giving dual" in the airplane.

Gotcha. I am working for my private so would it be alright for me to operate the radios? I am not sure I am advanced enough to operate radios in airspace other than class C. Would he tell me what to say?

FlySooner9 · May 9th, 2008, 19:51

The FBO i worked for had F-90 and i got to fly right seat a couple times. The pilot (my boss) was MEI and he logged it as dual for me and actually let me fly it. Cool experience. Like many have said, never hurts to ask, worst case scenario they say no.

youngflyer · May 9th, 2008, 20:13

Thanks for the responses. I just need responses on how to begin to approach people to ask if it is possible and who to ask.

invertmast · May 9th, 2008, 22:03

Honestly, just go up and tell them what you have said here. your working on your PPL and just want to see what its like flying in a king air. The first 2 or 3 flights you'll be so far behind the airplane you won't even know what to say or when. I doubt the pilot will let you operate the radios unless your on a VFR leg and he knows your fairly familiar and comfortable with the area.

First time i flew in the kingair, i had about 800TT and 80multi w/ some 421 time and was still pretty far behind the airplane. Its good experience though just being around a higher paced environment. The airplane is extremely easy to fly, almost as easy as a 172/182.

Wolfy · May 9th, 2008, 22:25

You won't be ready for the radios yet. I'm not knocking your abilities, it's just they'll be on an IFR plan most of the time and if you're not familiar with that, you can easily get behind. You'd make a good checklist reader though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by youngflyer

Gotcha. I am working for my private so would it be alright for me to operate the radios? I am not sure I am advanced enough to operate radios in airspace other than class C. Would he tell me what to say?

docflyer · May 9th, 2008, 23:09

I started off sitting right seat as a private pilot in a King Air and PC12 based at the FBO I was working at. I was just along for the ride the first couple flights, and after the pilots were comfortable with me I started handling the radios, GPS/FMS, and pressurization. Didn't get to log any of it but got very valuable corporate experience, flying IFR, and going into some busy Socal Airspace.

A lot of the guys I flew with were happy to have some company, especially on the longer flights. The first time I asked to go along I told the CP about my aspirations of being a corporate pilot and that I had my private pilot license so far, and asked if it would be okay to go along with some of his pilots and learn the ropes. He talked it over with the owner and the other pilots and they all said it would be fine. He liked it especially from a safety point of view, having another set of eyes in the cockpit as well as having somebody that might actually have a chance of getting the plane back on the ground if something happened to the pilot.

Good luck!

fly4food84 · May 9th, 2008, 23:16

You can fly left seat if the pilot is an instructor and will allow it.

I have a buddy who has 80 hrs dual received in a King Air and he hasn't soloed yet... haha.

It just depends on who you know.

youngflyer · May 10th, 2008, 09:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfy

You won't be ready for the radios yet. I'm not knocking your abilities, it's just they'll be on an IFR plan most of the time and if you're not familiar with that, you can easily get behind. You'd make a good checklist reader though.

Yeah that is what I am thinking. I think I will talk with my CFI, then the president of executive air where I train because apparently they run a charter service and I know the president (sort of). I will start with that.

N519AT · May 10th, 2008, 19:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by youngflyer

Gotcha. I am working for my private so would it be alright for me to operate the radios? I am not sure I am advanced enough to operate radios in airspace other than class C. Would he tell me what to say?

Yeah, I mean...if you have the skills, let them know. They were kind of weary about me working the radios the first time, but this is where VATSIM helped me out immensely.

My latest ride in the KA350, the guy (jokingly) asked if I was sure I wansn't a DE or a FAA guy because apparently my radio skills are "fantastic" in the IFR environment. Once again, thanks to VATSIM.

If not, like the others said, you can definately read checklists. If its a King Air with the Pro Line 21 in it, you read them off of the MFD