Pilot Roles Flashcards
Who is the Commander?
The pilot who has overall legal responsibility and authority
Who is the Co-pilot?
The pilot who is not the Commander
Who is the First Officer?
The pilot who can only be assigned as Co-pilot, occupying the RHS of the aircraft.
An FO is a company rank
Who is the Captain?
It is usually the Commander occupying the LHS.
However, sometimes the Captain can be assigned flight duty as a Co-pilot (i.e. flying in the RHS) - usually when 2 Captains are flying together as 1 will be Commander and the other will be the Co-pilot.
A Captain is a company rank
Who is P1?
The pilot designated by the Commander to manage a sector. The P1 makes the decisions and gives clear instructions to the P2.
P1 is generally also the PF - apart from during ground movement where the PF is ALWAYS the pilot in the LHS.
If the FO is P1, the FO must give control to the Captain (who is the P2, Commander, and pilot in LHS) when taxiing until lined up for T/O and during the landing roll when the aircraft slows to 60kts.
Designation of P1 is fixed per sector.
Who is P2?
The pilot who supports and assists the P1 and the P1’s plan of action.
The P2 may intervene but only in the interests of safety of commercial viability.
Designation of P2 is fixed per sector.
Who is the Pilot Flying (PF)?
The PF is the pilot responsible for controlling the aircraft, achieving the desired flight path and keeping safely within the flight envelope.
(Either by controlling the automation or by directly manipulating the flight controls).
When AP is engaged, the PF will make all MCP selections directly, verbalising intentions to the PM.
Who is the Pilot Monitoring (PM)?
The PM is responsible for ensuring that the PF is successfully flying the aircraft on the desired flight path and inside the flight envelope at ALL times.
When AP is not engaged, the PM will make MCP selections in accordance with the PF’s commands and requirements.
