The Pilot in Command (PIC) is designated as such for a flight or series of flights in accordance with the principles and procedures required by FAR Part 135. He or she is responsible for the safe conduct of all assigned flights. The PIC serves as the final authority in the operation of the aircraft and exercises Operational Control at the Tier 2 level, as described in the General Operations Manual, Chapter 5. The PIC supervises the functions of all other crew members during flight. The PIC must meet the minimum qualifications specified by Federal Aviation Regulation Part 135.243(b).
Pilot schedules operate on a rotating basis of seven days on duty, followed by seven days off. While on duty, pilots serve a 12-hour shift (or up to the maximum allowed under Part 135 if on mission) from home and must be able to meet the program’s specified call-out time to meet the planned launch time of a trip. Pilot shift assignments consist of either a day duty period or a night duty period and are scheduled the month prior by the Base Lead Pilot to provide pilots sufficient opportunity to prepare their rest cycle. Pilots can expect to serve the same duty period during their assigned seven-day shift and then rotate to the next duty period during their next seven-day shift assignment. Changes to duty periods within a seven-day shift assignment are discouraged but can occur depending on local needs at the Base.