Becoming familiar with the required information and logging flight time in the specific aircraft type is essential for the second in command under Part 91.

To serve as second in command of an aircraft certified for multiple pilot crewmembers under Part 91, which is true?

• A. Must hold a commercial pilot certificate with an airplane category rating.
• B. Receive flight training from an authorized flight instructor in the type of airplane.
• C. Become familiar with required information and log pilot time in the type of airplane requested.
• D. Develop a proficiency level through self-study and testing.

Answer: (C)

To serve as second in command of an aircraft certified for multiple pilot crewmembers under Part 91, it is essential that a pilot becomes familiar with required information and logs pilot time in the type of airplane requested. This requirement ensures that the individual has the necessary knowledge and experience specifically related to operating that type of aircraft, which is critical for maintaining safety and effective performance during flight operations. Familiarity with the aircraft’s systems, limitations, emergency procedures, and operational practices directly contributes to the overall competency of the flight crew. Logging pilot time in the particular aircraft type also serves to document the experience, which may be necessary for future licensing or certification purposes. This approach emphasizes thorough preparation and understanding of the unique characteristics of the specific aircraft, ensuring that all crew members are adequately equipped to handle various flight scenarios.

Outline

• Hook: In multi-pilot flights under Part 91, the second-in-command isn’t just along for the ride—preparation and known-perimeter knowledge matter just as much as big controls and bold moves.

• The key truth: For a SIC on an aircraft certified for multiple pilot crewmembers, the essential requirement is to become familiar with the required information and to log pilot time in the airplane type.

• Why that matters: Familiarity with systems, limitations, emergency procedures, and operational practices directly supports safety and smooth teamwork.

• What “familiar with required information” means in practice: Flight manuals, cockpit procedures, limitations, maintenance notes, and normal/abnormal procedures specific to that airplane type.

• The role of logging time in the type: It documents experience with that aircraft and can be important for future licensing, ratings, or career steps.

• How crews use this in real life: Reading the AFM/POH, briefings, and occasional line checks; keeping a living cross-reference between memory and the airplane’s specifics.

• Practical steps for pilots: Step-by-step moves to build familiarity and document time without losing sight of safety and teamwork.

• Real-world flavor and cautions: Two-pilot operations rely on clear role boundaries, good communication, and shared situational awareness.

• Takeaways: The right mindset, disciplined recordkeeping, and focused study of the type make a real difference.

Second in Command on a multi-pilot airplane: the reality check

Let me explain it this way. When you’re the second in command on an aircraft authorized for more than one pilot, you’re not just a passenger who knows a couple of knobs. You’re a key part of the flight team. Your credibility comes from what you know about the actual airplane you’re flying. And that means more than just knowing how to push the yoke when it’s your turn. It means being familiar with the information you’re required to know, and it means logging time in the airplane type. This combination matters for safety, efficiency, and the crew’s confidence in each other.

Why familiarity beats guesswork

Think about the cockpit as a small orchestra. The pilot in command leads, yes, but the second-in-command has to know the score, the tempo, and the cues. If you’re unsure about certain limits, abnormal procedures, or the sequence for an engine-off scenario, you’re not just risking a misstep—you’re risking the whole team being unequipped to respond quickly and correctly. Familiarity with the aircraft’s systems, limitations, emergency procedures, and standard operating practices sets a foundation for calm, capable action when something unexpected comes up.

What counts as “required information”?

Here’s the practical kind of knowledge that falls under this umbrella:

• Aircraft systems and how they interact: engines, electrical, hydraulic, fuel, and avionics. You should know what the systems do, how they’re managed, and what abnormal indicators look like.

• Limitations: airspeed, weight, center of gravity, ceiling, and any airplane-specific constraints that affect performance or handling.

• Emergency procedures: normal and abnormal procedures you’re likely to encounter. You don’t need to memorize every possible elicitation, but you should know the go-to steps, the order of actions, and the places to find quick-reference guidance in the cockpit.

• Operational practices: standard handling in routine phases of flight, checklist discipline, and how your crew divides tasks during critical moments.

• Aircraft-specific quirks: any unique behaviors, such as autopilot coupling nuances, trim behavior in certain regimes, or particular fatigue or performance considerations.

In short, familiarity means you know where to look, what to do, and what to expect in a type-specific context. It’s not about rote memorization as much as about confident, prepared decision-making in real flight situations.

Why logging time in the airplane type matters

Documenting flight time in the specific airplane type serves a couple of practical purposes. First, it confirms that you’ve built hands-on experience with the exact airplane you’re operating. Different aircraft types have distinct handling characteristics, systems architecture, and potential failure modes. Time in type helps demonstrate that you’ve actually flown that model and aren’t relying on generic, cross-type assumptions.

Second, time-in-type logs can be relevant for future licensing or certification steps. While the mechanics of those requirements vary by regulatory framework, having a verifiable record of experience in a particular aircraft type is generally valued. It also reinforces a culture of accountability and continuous readiness within the crew.

A real-world analogy

Imagine two drivers sharing a car you’ve never driven before. One person knows the car inside and out—where the controls are, how the climate system behaves, where the blind spots are, and what to do in a stall or warning light. The other person is a bit more speculative, relying on general driving instincts. The first driver is far more likely to respond calmly and correctly when a tricky moment arrives. The same logic applies in the cockpit: familiarity with the aircraft type translates to better decisions under pressure.

What this means for training and day-to-day operations

If you’re serving as the SIC on a multi-crewed aircraft, the emphasis shifts toward practical mastery of the airplane’s type rather than chasing a separate set of ratings. The aim is not to prove you know everything on first flight, but to show that you’re systematically building knowledge, documenting it, and applying it during operations.

• Use the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) or Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH) as your map. Read sections on systems, limitations, and emergency procedures. Mark the pages you’ll revisit often.

• Attend cockpit briefings and debriefs with intent. Ask questions, clarify ambiguities, and share your perspective on how you’d respond in key scenarios.

• Review manufacturer-supplied guidance and service bulletins that relate to your airplane type. Stay informed about any quirks or regular maintenance notes that affect flight handling.

• Practice with purpose. When possible, engage in training flights or simulator sessions that focus on the airplane’s responses, not just general flight maneuvers.

• Keep a clean log. Record the flight time you accumulate in the specific airplane type, along with a short note about what you learned or confirmed on that leg.

A few cautions and clarifications

• Training isn't the sole gatekeeper. While formal sessions are valuable, the core requirement here is knowledge and documented experience with the airplane type. You’ll often see pilots who supplement this with informal study and on-the-job learning, and that can be perfectly fine as long as it’s deliberate and verifiable.

• The Part 91 context matters. The specifics of how you must operate—and what you must prove—can shift with different fleets, operator policies, or mission profiles. The guiding principle, though, remains simple: know your airplane and keep a reliable record of your time in that aircraft.

• Coordination with the PIC is key. The second in command isn’t acting solo. Clear, proactive communication with the pilot in command and the rest of the crew makes the differences. When you’re familiar with the type, you contribute to a smoother flight deck dynamic.

A few practical steps you can take today

• Create a lightweight “type familiarity” checklist you can carry in the cockpit. It can include quick references to critical systems, the most common abnormal procedure sequences, and the top three limitations you need to stay mindful of.

• Schedule time to review the AFM/POH sections that are most relevant to the aircraft you fly most often. A 10-minute daily review can add up fast.

• Keep a simple logbook entry for each flight in the type. Note not just hours, but a word or two about a key takeaway—an unusual cockpit response, a caution you observed, or a procedure you reinforced.

• Seek feedback from the PIC and your peers. Honest, timely feedback helps you adjust and grow without waiting for a formal evaluation.

The big takeaway

In multi-pilot operations under Part 91, the second in command earns trust not by flashy moves but by steady competence. Becoming familiar with the required information and logging time in the airplane type creates a solid baseline for safe, effective flight. It’s a practical discipline: know your airplane, document your hands-on experience, and apply what you know when it matters most—the moment the cockpit calls for calm, capable action.

If you’re curious about how this fits into broader aviation standards or how crews maintain readiness across ad hoc missions, you’ll find that the same principles apply: clear roles, thorough knowledge, and purposeful, shared preparation. The cockpit is a team sport, and the better you know your teammates’ tools and expectations, the better the flight ends.