A charter operator owns a PA23-250. The aircraft is a standard piper Aztec D with GNS430W, Altimatic IIIB autopilot and strike finder. A client of his has a dry lease arrangement for the aircraft for an hourly rate. The client and 3 friends have been elk hunting and need to come home. They were successful but with only one elk.
You have been asked as a contract pilot to fly the client and his party back home from Searle, NE (KOGA) to Columbia Regional, MO. (KCOU). They would prefer to go non-stop. You are well qualified and current in the aircraft. The aircraft is in annual with the only squawk being the WAAS receiver is inoperative.
Trip Data:
Passengers: Joe 235#, Trent 180#, Jimmy 250# and Bill 220#. Assume you weight 180#
Cargo: elk meat-(3) 60# boxes, camping/hunting gear #95
Current time: 1855z. They want to leave by 1930z
Departure Airport
Searle KOGA
METAR 1850z 120/15G20 1/4 200 OVC 18/14 29.97
There is no TAF
Winds aloft assume a 10kt tailwind at any altitude
There is no convective weather or airmet for icing or turbulence. There is a midwest area airmet for ceilings below 1000’.
Arrival Airport Columbia Regional KCOU
FM191700 17006KT 5SM -RA OVC015
FM200000 19005KT P6SM OVC010
FM201000 21004KT 2SM BR BKN003
Notam: ILS inoperative 191600-202200 maintenance
Assume both KOGA and KCOU have 50’ obstacles. Assume winds are as reported or forecasted at time of METAR/TAF. Assume Temp at KCOU at arrival is 18C.
Complete the following tasks/questions:
- Can you legally make this flight? Is this a part 135 operation? Explain
- Can you legally take off? Explain
- Analyze take off requirements in light of density altitude, weight and single engine performance
- Do a weight and balance and analysis
- Calculate fuel burn requirements with reserves. Do you need to file an alternate?
- Compute take off distance, accelerate/stop distance and landing distance at destination
- Provide a flight log for the trip
- Explain landing requirements at destination
- Provide alternate airport, if required
- Provide hard copy documentation for any calculations
Be prepared to demonstrate proper documentation of the aircraft to include:
- registration
- Airworthiness
- Weight/balance
- Operating handbook (POH)
- Latest annual
- 411/413 certification
Be prepared to explain the following aircraft systems:
- Hydraulic
- Environmental
- Pneumatic
- Fuel
- Propellers
- Engine make, model and rated HP
Be prepared to articulate the following:
- Vmc demo and all 10 factors used to determine Vmc. Explain each one as to its effect on Vmc and performance
- Engine out procedures
- Engine restart procedures
- Fuel cross feed procedures
- Single engine landing operations and limitations
- Effects on drag from flaps and gear
Reference Documents:
Weight/balance
Take off chart
Landing chart
Accelerate Stop chart
