The complexities of landing at JAC earn the airport a Special PIC (pilot in command) qualification for the airport — in place since 1990 — as well as a SAAT level 4 rating, requiring a more experienced line check airman sitting copilot.Someone may correct me if I'm wrong, but as an aviation nut I've NEVER heard of such an occurrence (i.e., diversion due to lack of certification) and it speaks LOUDLY to a wholly unqualified pilot attaining the 'first officer/captain' title because, as I cited in another comment, the supposedly responsible 'captain' knew 100% where he/she/it was flying (and landing) before he/she/it left the gate.Each individual airline has its own standards of training requiring varying minimum hours of flight time.
Many qualified captains with thousands of flight hours may not meet company minimums behind the wheel of a particular aircraft or flying into certain airports with ceiling and visibility minimum requirements.
I completely blame it on the airline. How did they let him fly there?
Depends. Several circumstances could arise~~company assigns reserve pilot to flight. Paperwork should list requirements for that airport. Did it?
Other possible admin and pilot errors.
I’m not going to read the whole way to the end of the thread, but I will try to explain.
Each airline has different FAA approved qualification criteria for “Special Airports”. Many Special Airports require the first entry to be done with an approved company Check Airman in the cockpit. (Some require the Check Airman to be in a pilot seat. Some allow the Check Airman to be in the cockpit jump seat).
Some Special Airports may be approved for first entry to be accomplished without a Check Airman if the First Officer has made entry before and certain weather conditions are met. Those conditions could be wind, landing runway, ceiling, visibility, etc. it’s all between the airline and the FAA with consideration being given to past practice and company training practices. There is not, AND SHOULD NOT BE, a one size fits all requirement.
Today’s computerized crew scheduling and dispatch systems make it nearly impossible to send an unqualified crew member to a Special Airport. I’m guessing the company tried to squeeze too much blood out of the staffing turnip and got burned. Unfortunately we are snickering at the pilot for doing the right thing.
EC