The Pilot in Command (PIC) is designated for a flight or series of flights, adhering to the principles and procedures mandated by FAR Part 135. The PIC bears ultimate responsibility for the safe and secure execution of all assigned flights. Exercising Operational Control at the Tier 2 level, as detailed in Chapter 5 of the General Operations Manual, the PIC holds final authority regarding aircraft operation. The PIC directly supervises all crew member functions during flight and must meet the minimum qualifications as defined by Federal Aviation Regulation Part 135.243(b).
Pilot schedules follow a rotating pattern of 7 days on duty, followed by 7 days off. During their on-duty period, pilots are assigned a 12-hour shift (or up to the maximum permitted under Part 135 if on a mission), originating from their home location. Pilots must be capable of adhering to the specified call-out time to ensure adherence to planned trip launch times. Duty periods alternate between day and night shifts, and are scheduled by the Base Lead Pilot the month prior, allowing ample time for pilots to manage their rest cycles. Pilots typically maintain the same duty period throughout their 7-day on-duty assignment before rotating to the next duty period during their subsequent 7-day on-duty period. While changes to duty periods within a 7-day shift are discouraged, they may occur based on local base requirements.