Cross Cockpit Authority Gradient
From my first faltering steps as a student to my last flight as a senior PA instructor there were few occasions where the pilot next to me was similarly qualified and experienced. I had remarkably few issues but wondered what experiences others here would be prepared to share!!!
I'll start off with this one.
I was flying with a VSO who had much experience on type and I knew to be a good pair hands and very competent operator. He wasn't having a good sortie though and I tactfully suggested an easier exercise. He refused and persisted to the point where I felt it was becoming unsafe. I told him to stop, at which point he announced that he was in control and therefore, in effect, captain of the aircraft. There was an uncomfortable hiatus until one of the crew suggested an alternative way forward which, fortunately, my co-pilot was happy to accept. The debrief could accurately be described as extremely awkward!