POON HELP NEEDED! MOST URGENT!

[GARY HILTON]

I am asking everyone in the WIX arena to help and network to find an answer on the single pilot operation of the PV-2, PV-1, B-34 type aircraft...

We are trying to find a document that states or gives authority to operate this type of aircraft in single pilot mode....I know that there were PV-2's flown single pilot, cause I had been told as such by ex-poon pilots.

This info is urgently needed, and will help get a Poon in the air with more qualified pilots....Thank You all, and good luck...Contact myself or Pooner.....

[gary1954]

Gary, wouldn't that fall under the category of
1. Being type rated in the aircraft
2. Being Current in the aircraft type.
If the "sole" pilot is current and qualified, and the aircraft doesn't actually "require" two pilots (see B-25H models, Pacific T.O. WWII) then other than an insurance company may "require" you to have two Current and Qualified Type Rated Pilots in order for the aircraft to be covered while in operation, whats the problem?
Dunno, Not certified by probably certifiable

[CAPFlyer]

As far as I'm aware, any aircraft can conceivably be operated single pilot unless it falls under one of two categories -

Type Certificated requiring 2-pilot operation

Operating on an Airline Operating Certificate requiring 2-pilot operation.

As long as the PV-2 certificate doesn't require 2-pilot operation and there's nothing in the POH requiring it (in lieu of a type certificate), and you're not going to be flying it for hire (i.e. outside of Part 91), then you're free and clear for single pilot operation.

Under the Limited Type Certificate, there is no mention of a requirement for 2 pilots. If you certificate it under Experimental, you'll be able to define single pilot operation as being an approved method of operation, but the FAA may want you to do some "proving" with an FAA rep to prove that it's safe to do so (your insurance may want to tag along too).

[Matt Gunsch]

Reading the Type certificate, there is no mention of minimum crew, it says must be operated per Army TO AN-01-55ED-1, so if that TO does not state the needed flight crew is 2, then single pilot operation should not be a problem.

[GARY HILTON]

I believe the real problem lies within the FISDO office in Salt Lake City. I believe the FAA Gods are requiring written proof....Thanks all...

[Matt Gunsch]

if they require written proof, show them the Type certificate and the TO

Last edited by Matt Gunsch on Wed Aug 27, 2008 3:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[GARY HILTON]

Thanks Matt, will forward the info...

[Trey Carroll]

Gary,

If you're trying to get the Harpoon single-pilot, what did you do about the emergency breaking system?

Trey

[Pooner]

Good query, Trey.

All of the civil operated PVs I have ever seen or have crawled thru are ex-tanker and back when they were modified for this type of duty the emergency hydraulic panel was moved from behind the co-pilot's seat for "easy" access between the seats (just above the electrical management panel and close to fuel management panel).

Like Gary mentioned, I understand that with this mod and the aircraft operated under a restricted category single pilot operation was pretty common back in the day.

The PV was a tight-quartered beast when fitted with the fuselage spray tank, and emergency egress was also an issue. In the event of a mishap the flight crew would be unable to get out of the aircraft thru the fuselage so it was understood that a hasty exit would be made via the upper escape hatch, which meant stepping on the pilot's seat, shoving the hatch up and out, crawling over the top of the aircraft, onto a wing - and then over the side. No easy task.

The best "single pilot operator" story came to me via Bill Dempsey, a legendary tanker pilot who had more than his share of hours in spray Harpoons.

When I had originally heard about single pilot PV ops and questioned the logic behind this, he just shrugged and said, "Sure - that's the preferred method, especially for ferrying the aircraft back and forth. In the event one of these darn things catches fire, I'm up and out of there in a flash, and there's nothing more annoying than getting your feet all tangled up in a screaming and wiggly co-pilot on the way out. Something like that just flat out pisses ya off, especially if he's trying to get out before you."

Can't forget a line like that... never did ask Bill how many times he had to do that, either...

Have heard stories from 'Poon tanker pilots having to work that modded and relocated hydraulics panel up there all alone. They told me that it's do-able, but no fun. This Lockheed is a hydraulic pig, and lots of moving parts to weep and cause problems if not properly maintained. One related that his experience with hydraulic failure one time gave him a "right arm bigger than Popeye" during one spray season, and I for one believed him.

[GARY HILTON]

Trey, this Poon was a sprayer, and I am pretty sure that the emergency brake hydrolics are still in place behind the co-pilot bulkhead. As Rob stated, it can be reached by the pilot, although not particularly an easy thing to do...but , if your having a bad day, little things like this are managable...The one thing that is very notable about the PV-1 and the PV-2, is that although there are rudder peddles, the brakes are only connected on the pilots side...That is something that should be obvious to the FFA (I know, shouldn't bad mouth the farmers) in trying to certify the aircraft single pilot..

[Tom H]

Gary

Can I suggest contacting the Ventura Memorial Flight Asso in Edmonton, AB...www.rcafventura.ca

Having seen their archives I swear they must have every piece of paper that ever moved on the PV-1 and a lot on the PV-2.

Tony if you can catch him.

Tom

[GARY HILTON]

Thanks Tom, I'll have to take a trip up that way before winter sets in...

[Taigh Ramey]

Hello Gary,

I have a Howard Super Ventura project (ex RCAF PV-1 Ventura) that I am fixing up. I believe that Howard kept this aircraft registered as a PV-1 just so it could be flow as a single pilot aircraft. The flight manual states plainly that the aircraft requires a minuimum crew of one. I wish I could send a copy to you but I am in Switzerland for two weeks and the manual is burried at the shop.

Taigh

[GARY HILTON]

Taigh, and everyone else, thank you for the responses...I emailed a message to the needy party, but haven't recieved a response yet...Should hear soon, as the party had surgery yesterday and might not be feeling up to altitude as of this writing.

Thats what I enjoy about this site...good people with timely solutions!
All is appreciated

Taigh, tell us more on your Howard Super Ventura project!!! Where is she located? Can you share some pictures?

Gary

[GARY HILTON]

Just heard from the inquiring party....Looks like everything is a go on the single pilot operation/licensing on the Harpoon!!!!

Mission accoplished!!

Thank you all!!

Gary