The co-pilot is the co-pilot and serves his/her captain as the captain requires. The crew is not a cuddly communist committee; it is a team with a leader. Crew resource management, the buzzword for what was once known as crew co-ordination, ensures that the team works in a co-operative manner and that the right level of assistance is provided to the team leader to assist with decision making.
Things have moved on from the days when the 'boy' was expected merely to operate the radios and sort out the paperwork whilst 'sir' flew. Co-pilots have even been known to be allowed the occasional landing nowadays.
But there is only one captain of an aircraft, srjumbo, and he/she is supported by his/her crew.
Last edited by BEagle; 13th November 2005 at 07:55.