Can you not buy a used engine for much less than $175K?

Bringing this thread back up.

So how hard is the single pilot exemption to get maintain? Do you get the type then do a single pilot check ride? Any limitations besides the no Europe thing?

Are the phase inspections for an sii calendar or time based?

I have heard you can extend the 3500 tbo on the sii engines to 5000. Any truth to that?

You get the crew type and then get the SPE. Annually you renew the SPE as part of your 61.58 check. SPE is US only. So legally not valid in Mexico, Canada, or Caribbean. Although no one is checking so doesn’t seem to be a problem unless you call attention to yourself.

There are phases that are calendar and some that are time.

Some of the SPE confusion is because it was granted different ways and has slightly different terms. I don't have that here, but I recall there were three different manners in which planes could be flown single pilot. I believe one addressed it as a waiver v. exemption. I'd have to go back and look up the details. One should just focus on the method they would use and check details.

In the last few years the FAA standardized the SPE approvals as they came up for renewal. They should all be the same now.

You need to meet some entry requirements:

ATP or commercial rating.

1,000 hours total time, 50 hours night, 75 hours instrument, 40 hours in IMC, 500 hours PIC, SIC, or both in turbine airplanes.

CE-500 type rating.

Completed the single pilot course and compete a single pilot proficiency check.

You will have limitations:

Only part 91 operations.

Higher minimums on approaches (both straight in and circling) until you get 100 hours SP time in type.

Circling approaches may be prohibited if you don't show them in airplane or sim capable of circling.

Use a boom mic.

Have a fully functional AP with approach coupling.

Have flight director.

Have ident button on yoke.

Have landing gear lever on left side of panel.

Only useful in US.


I've not seen the factory inspection program, but I believe it to be based on both time and hours.

The tracking of maintenance is complex enough that most owners pay for a service to track it.

There are low use plans, Bacon has one that extends some calendar times.

http://www.baconaviation.com/citation-luip.html


I believe the answer is yes.

One, as a part 91 operator, overhaul is never mandatory, so you can hot section at 3500 and fly another 1750 hours.

Two, there is a program to do basically that here:

http://innovaaerospace.com/flex/

That seems more involved, not sure why it exists for part 91, sounds like part 135 could use it.

Mike C.