Hi,
Discussion about which of the two co-pilots had command was addressed in the AF447 Final Report issued by BEA.
Here are verbatim quotations:
At the time of the accident:
In the Air France operations manual, the Captain’s replacement was a co-pilot designated as relief pilot. Acting in this capacity, he made the necessary operational decisions for the flight in accordance with the Captain’s instructions. He stayed in the right seat and from this seat carried out the PF function. He performed tasks marked “C” in the check-lists and emergency procedures.
Changes made following the accident:
Reinforcement of the role of co-pilots
- Modification of rules for relieving the Captain in March 2010: the relief co-pilot is designated by the Captain, he sits on the left side and is PNF.
- Deployment underway of a new decision-making method: the co-pilot speaks first, before the final decision of the Captain (optimisation of decision-making, reinforcing the co-pilot’s responsibilities).
The Final Report is available below:
http://www.bea.aero/docspa/2009/f-cp...p090601.en.pdf