Overview

The first officer is the second pilot on a multi‑crew aircraft and serves as the aircraft's second‑in‑command. In commercial aviation the title is often shortened to "co‑pilot." The first officer shares responsibility for safe operation of the flight and, in the event the captain becomes incapacitated, will assume command and carry out the remainder of the flight and associated legal responsibilities.

Typical duties and in‑flight roles

Flight deck tasks are divided to support continuous cross‑checking and workload management. One pilot normally flies the aeroplane as the Pilot Flying (PF) while the other acts as Pilot Not Flying (PNF) or Pilot Monitoring (PM). Responsibilities commonly include:

  • Flying the aircraft (when designated PF) and following procedures for departure, arrival and emergencies.
  • Monitoring instruments, navigational aids and automation, and calling deviations or errors.
  • Handling radio communications, flight planning updates and interactions with air traffic control.
  • Completing checklists, performance calculations and briefing the crew and cabin staff.

Training, qualifications and career path

Becoming a first officer requires a commercial pilot licence, appropriate ratings for the aircraft type (such as a multi‑engine and type rating) and airline‑specific training. Typical steps include ground school, simulator sessions, supervised line training and checks by a training captain or examiner. With experience a first officer may progress to senior first officer roles and eventually to captain after meeting airline and regulatory experience, training and assessment requirements.

The captain is the legal commander of the aircraft and retains ultimate responsibility for the safety of passengers and crew even when the first officer is the PF. The first officer acts with delegated authority and is empowered to make command decisions if the captain is unable to perform duties. In conventional cockpits the captain occupies the left seat and the first officer sits on the right. On modern crews additional relief pilots may be carried on long‑haul operations to provide rest rotations.

History and modern developments

The co‑pilot role emerged with the introduction of larger, multi‑crew aircraft when the workload exceeded what a single pilot could safely manage. Over time the function evolved from straightforward control support to a highly trained professional position integral to modern Crew Resource Management (CRM). CRM emphasizes communication, decision making and teamwork between captain and first officer to reduce error and improve safety.

Variants and distinctions

Titles and duties can vary: some operators use "second officer" or "relief pilot" for junior or augmented‑crew positions. Military co‑pilots often have different training paths and operational responsibilities tailored to their mission environment. For further procedural or regulatory detail consult airline operating documentation or the appropriate aviation authority guidance: airline operations and regulatory licensing.