Originally Posted by
Centaurus
Agree. The area of responsibility policy introduced by Boeing years ago has always caused confusion on who does what and when. It's a messy policy IMHO. Others like it. It was much clearer when the captain directed the actions and the copilot performed them and the challenge and response checklist was one pilot challenged and the other pilot responded. Now you have the illogical situation where some checks require the pilot challenging himself and responding to his own challenge.
Long time ago the copilots on my old airline (B737-200) demanded an audience with the chief pilot to complain about lack of standardisation of the check captains in simulator training when it came to who does what and when for engine failure after take off. They were tired of each check captain insisting his method was the right method. The senior check captain escorted the unhappy copilots (small airline and few copilots) to the chief pilot's office. With some temerity, for the chief pilot was known for his short fuse and impatient dismissive manner, the check captain knocked on the door and said in an apologetic manner "Captain -the copilots would like to see you to discuss their problem with lack of standardisation among our check captains in the simulator when it comes to engine failure after take off."
The CP being a brusque individual showed immediate scorn and said "That's an easy one. The captain closes the throttle after confirming its the correct engine and the copilot closes the start lever and etc etc."
There was a moment of stunned silence as the copilots and check captain digested the pronouncement of the chief pilot. The embarrassed check captain then spoke up. " Sorry Your honour Sir, but that is not quite correct. The SOP says it is the copilot who closes the throttle etc etc
The copilots had made their point perfectly.
With good training and standardisation this concept works well.
The biggest problem with Boeing SOP is the lack of challenge and response in normal operations.
If the captain is FP, the copilot will do the cockpit preparations, read and respond the preflight checklist, and also read and respond the after takeoff checklist. The captain can read the newspaper most of this time. He is supposed to check what the copilot is doing but there is no active involvement.
Now, think back to Helios. This was the exact set up for that flight.