Description

Certain business jets are certified for single-pilot operations, as are most turboprop aircraft used in business aviation. To receive this certification, a manufacturer must demonstrate that one pilot can reach all controls and switches, and that the aircraft systems and design facilitate a workload that one pilot can manage. This article seeks to provide background on single-pilot business aircraft operations, and to examine risk management strategies.

Background

In the United States, the first jet to receive approval for single-pilot operations was the Cessna Citation 1/SP in 1977. Since that time, a number of other aircraft have received such certification. They include the Cirrus Vision Jet SF50, the HondaJet Elite II, the Embraer Phenom 300E, the Pilatus PC-24, and others.