Chief pilot liability??

[Charlies]

Guys, I’ve been asked to be a chief pilot for a small 703 operator.


Do you know if there’s any liability that extends to my personal assets? If so, is it any different than just being a pilot for the operation?

Thanks

[digits_]

Theoretically you could be personally liable for intentional deviations from rules and regulations, just like a normal pilot.

Realistically I don't know of any chief pilot that has ever gotten into serious legal trouble in Canada. You're still an employee (I assume?), that offers significant protection.

However, if one of your planes crashes and it can be proven that you forced the accident pilot to fly into severe icing, overweight, and with expired training, then the dead pax's family likely has a strong case to go after you personally.

[Bede]

Theoretically you could be personally liable for intentional deviations from rules and regulations, just like a normal pilot.

Realistically I don't know of any chief pilot that has ever gotten into serious legal trouble in Canada. You're still an employee (I assume?), that offers significant protection.

However, if one of your planes crashes and it can be proven that you forced the accident pilot to fly into severe icing, overweight, and with expired training, then the dead pax's family likely has a strong case to go after you personally.

Sorry, but this isn't very helpful.

If there is a law suit, you WILL be named regardless if you're the chief pilot or pilot. However, when you are acting within the scope of your employment, your employer is vicariously liable and the employers liability insurance must indemnify you.

[digits_]

Theoretically you could be personally liable for intentional deviations from rules and regulations, just like a normal pilot.

Realistically I don't know of any chief pilot that has ever gotten into serious legal trouble in Canada. You're still an employee (I assume?), that offers significant protection.

However, if one of your planes crashes and it can be proven that you forced the accident pilot to fly into severe icing, overweight, and with expired training, then the dead pax's family likely has a strong case to go after you personally.

Sorry, but this isn't very helpful.

If there is a law suit, you WILL be named regardless if you're the chief pilot or pilot. However, when you are acting within the scope of your employment, your employer is vicariously liable and the employers liability insurance must indemnify you.

Right. Doesn't that result in what I described though? Will your employers liability cover/indemnify you if it can be proven that you intentionally broke the law/company sops by forcing/telling/demanding a line pilot to fly into severe icing or overweight?

[goingnowherefast]

Willful negligence is one thing.
Go in, do your best and follow the rules and it'll be okay.

Bad stuff will happen, hopefully not too bad. As long as you supported your pilots with adequate training and foster a culture of safe and legal decision making, then you'll be legally okay.

Keep up with regulations and regulatory changes as well. Industry best practices.

Keep on top of the other managers (especially sales) who might be trying to influence your pilots in a direction they shouldn't be influenced.

[cdnavater]

Guys, I’ve been asked to be a chief pilot for a small 703 operator.


Do you know if there’s any liability that extends to my personal assets? If so, is it any different than just being a pilot for the operation?

Thanks

I gotta say, I have held a few different management roles over my career, C.P, Ops Manager, person responsible for maintenance, never once did I ask the question will I be personally liable in the event of.
So, it begs the question, was I being naive or are you possibly working for a shitty operation that makes you question it?
If it’s the latter, set ground rules about how you intend to run things, you’ll put your foot down when needed and follow the rules, if they can’t live with that, I would not take the job.

[cncpc]

Theoretically you could be personally liable for intentional deviations from rules and regulations, just like a normal pilot.

Realistically I don't know of any chief pilot that has ever gotten into serious legal trouble in Canada. You're still an employee (I assume?), that offers significant protection.

However, if one of your planes crashes and it can be proven that you forced the accident pilot to fly into severe icing, overweight, and with expired training, then the dead pax's family likely has a strong case to go after you personally.

Sorry, but this isn't very helpful.

If there is a law suit, you WILL be named regardless if you're the chief pilot or pilot. However, when you are acting within the scope of your employment, your employer is vicariously liable and the employers liability insurance must indemnify you.

[cncpc]

Theoretically you could be personally liable for intentional deviations from rules and regulations, just like a normal pilot.

Realistically I don't know of any chief pilot that has ever gotten into serious legal trouble in Canada. You're still an employee (I assume?), that offers significant protection.

However, if one of your planes crashes and it can be proven that you forced the accident pilot to fly into severe icing, overweight, and with expired training, then the dead pax's family likely has a strong case to go after you personally.

Sorry, but this isn't very helpful.

If there is a law suit, you WILL be named regardless if you're the chief pilot or pilot. However, when you are acting within the scope of your employment, your employer is vicariously liable and the employers liability insurance must indemnify you.

That last paragraph is the best answer. I would say that it may not be mandatory that the employer's insurance covers you. Vicarious liability, for sure, but I would want it in writing.

And that is the case with any carrier I've ever worked for. You'd be nuts to work where you aren't covered.

Remember that Chief Pilot is a statutory position with duties set out in the Regs or Standards. Line up with those and you are pretty safe. It does have more responsibility than a line pilot though.

[CaptDukeNukem]

Guys, I’ve been asked to be a chief pilot for a small 703 operator.


Do you know if there’s any liability that extends to my personal assets? If so, is it any different than just being a pilot for the operation?

Thanks

Do it. You’ll love the experience.

[Sulako]

I've been in management for the majority of my career. I enjoy knowing what's on the other side of the curtain, it takes lots of the mystery and fear away. And I'm probably a bit of a control freak, so there's that. It can be demanding and you can get pulled in a lot of different directions at once, but you'll certainly expand your skillset. Remember that as CP your job is to serve the pilots and to try to make their lives better. That's the dream anyways. Good luck! Let us know what you end up doing

[Johnny]

And I'm probably a bit of a control freak, so there's that.

I laughed at "a bit."

[lewac]

Yes, there can be personal liability in some situations—but it's relatively rare, and there are ways to protect yourself. The role of Chief Pilot under CARs Subpart 703 (or any Canadian aviation operator) comes with both operational and regulatory responsibility,Sprunki which makes you more exposed than a line pilot.

[Taxivasion]

Don't do it unless there's a lot of dough involved. What a headache and the owner will throw you under the bus.

[oldncold]

Back in the day. It was akin to having 2 pick up trucks and 2 tow ropes attached to you arms.

One pick up was transport canada> the other was the owner. . wasnt too bad if the pickups were pulling in the same direction . However if they. Diverged. It was a tug of war that you were going to lose.

The best ones worked really hard to come up with acceptable workarounds. The worst ones. Thru the line pilots under the bus. Which one will you be ? Average. Shelf life of a busy 703 cp. 30- 36 months.

[Bede]

Yes, there can be personal liability in some situations—but it's relatively rare, and there are ways to protect yourself. The role of Chief Pilot under CARs Subpart 703 (or any Canadian aviation operator) comes with both operational and regulatory responsibility,Sprunki which makes you more exposed than a line pilot.

Can you fill us in on the personal liability "in some situations". What are the situations and how does one protect oneself?

[gilbertmartin]

In my opinion, it would be a good idea to consult with legal specialists to be sure, but usually being chief pilot doesn’t put you in a spot where you’d have to dig into your own pocket more than when you fly as a regular pilot. The company’s insurance covers what’s needed, so you shouldn’t have any extra worries. Still, it’s smart to check with HR or the insurance person.