Why are only pilots captains
 

Looking at the "young C17 pilots thread" made me think (a rare thing!). Why do most fleets only have pilots as the aircraft captain?

The kipper fleet is clearly ahead of the game and enlightened, by making navs and AEOs or pilots as the aircraft captain. Surely the man or woman with their finger on the operational pulse is the best person to be in charge.

The fast jet world has navs leading formations. Why should they not be the aircraft captain?

What does the pilot know about what is really happening abord an E3?

Does the captain of a submarine or the captain of the navy's surface ship ever "drive" the vessel? I think not.

Discuss

No stick, no vote !

God I must be bored replying to this......

:ugh:

C130JB

Bite alert
 

:D I'll take that as my first bite.

Thanks!

Time for my ovaltine

BEA had a thought (an aberation?) in the Sixties that the Captain of the Vanguard should sit on the jump seat and the two First Officers should fly the thing (make it so, Number One!!). I can perhaps understand why a Nimrod or such should perhaps have a mission specialist as the Captain, but a transport? What's the point.

Having said that, I may be missing something here but as a non-military flyer, whoever the "Captain" may be: no controls, no say I'm afraid.

And what can a Scope Dope in the back do when the aircraft has to make an emergency landing, and try keep his POB in one piece.:ugh:

c130jbloke

I must be bored reading your reply :mad:

CRM 10/10 :D

Typical 'J' answer

I don't suppose he really cares.

Does the NAV/AEO ever drive the plane. I think not.:ugh:

Building blocks duh:ugh:

How is that a typical J reply:rolleyes:

As it happens irrespective of type he is 100% correct, there maybe well be a multitude of mis guided kippers who "thought" they were A/C captains but at the end of the day the guy driving is ALWAYS in charge:ok:

all spelling mistakes are "df" alcohol induced

Edited after sciatica's cartoon, as I am an ALM please explain to simple old me how you have "hooked" me:=

There is no rocket science involved in comprehending that whoever controls the control column is actually in control, I mean come on if a tea boy can grasp this simple concept surely you can:rolleyes:

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/7/7_3_202.gif easy easy easy!

Change of plan: I am bored.

Gay Bloke, how long did it take you to become a t*sser?:O


Later.

I think you will find he is still learning, but I am sure you could give him some lessons:ok:

Boyblunder

Gay Bloke, how long did it take you to become a t*sser?


Later.

As we are about to get a bunch of way above average K guys onto the J fleet I guess you are a bit bitter at not being included in that gang:p

all spelling mistakes are "df" alcohol induced

It's about time you got some of the 'above average' ones. They've been keeping all the good ones up til now apparently.:ok:

Chaps - who cares? :confused:

The captain is responsible for the aircraft, but is not always in charge of the mission. The captain of a ship does drive it, (on cruise ships) almost always does the parking, and when its on auto pilot he makes the final decisions.

Who signs the 700?

airborne_artistWho signs the 700?

If he is the Captain the AEO of course!

Kev NurseWhen someone (Shadwell) ends an opening message with the word (directive), "discuss", I can't help but think, "what an arse"

As your ex captain - thanks Kev!:=

Shadwell

It used to be the case in the RN Fleet Air Arm that the senior crewmember was the captain... hence often that responsibility would fall upon the Observer (they've never had Flt Engineers) Is it still the case, or become another victim of jointery (and the perceived need to do it the light-blue way)? ISTM Captaincy is pretty much divorced from crewrole?