What is the minimum crew requirement for external cargo operations in the right seat and cabin?

What is the minimum crew requirement for external cargo operations in the right seat and cabin?

• A. ONE PILOT IN THE RIGHT SEAT AND ONE AIRCREW MEMBER QUALIFIED FOR EXTERNAL CARGO OPERATIONS IN THE CABIN
• B. TWO PILOTS IN THE COCKPIT
• C. ONE PILOT IN THE RIGHT SEAT ONLY
• D. ONE AIRCREW MEMBER IN THE CABIN

Answer: (A)

External cargo operations require both ongoing flight control and dedicated load supervision. One pilot in the right seat keeps the aircraft under control and handles the flight duties tailored to external loads, while a cabin aircrew member qualified for external cargo operations acts as the ECO, supervising the load, signaling and coordinating with the hoist operator, and ensuring proper rigging, clearance, and safety procedures. This combination provides essential crew resource management: someone focused on flying and someone trained to manage the external load. Without the ECO in the cabin, there’s no trained observer for the load; without a pilot in the right seat, flight control during the operation isn’t ensured. Hence, the minimum is one pilot in the right seat plus one ECO in the cabin.

External cargo operations require both ongoing flight control and dedicated load supervision. One pilot in the right seat keeps the aircraft under control and handles the flight duties tailored to external loads, while a cabin aircrew member qualified for external cargo operations acts as the ECO, supervising the load, signaling and coordinating with the hoist operator, and ensuring proper rigging, clearance, and safety procedures. This combination provides essential crew resource management: someone focused on flying and someone trained to manage the external load. Without the ECO in the cabin, there’s no trained observer for the load; without a pilot in the right seat, flight control during the operation isn’t ensured. Hence, the minimum is one pilot in the right seat plus one ECO in the cabin.