Duties of S/O
 

Can anyone please put into perspective the lifestyle as an S/O? Are they involved in any of the pre-flight duties (walk arounds, flight planning, etc)? Do they get to log the flight time while up front?

Some people make it seem that the SO basically is a passenger until the captain or FO wants to take a break. It seems that they are not at all involved during the departure and arrival phases either. Can anyone please shed some light into a typical day at work at Cathay as an SO?

Sorry if the question is a little naive or ignorant! :O

A typical day for an S/O. Well the whole crew meet at dispatch to review the paper work. Everyone is expected to go through the flight plan, wx and notams although the S/O is usually tasked with a detailed review of notams. On a rare occasion you may be asked your opinion on fuel but usually the decision will be made without your input. S/O's are not allowed to do walk arounds. On the 400 the S/O will do the safety check and then make the bunks. In flight you are only allowed at the controls in cruise. As well you will only be PF when the captain is in the seat. This is due to a CAD rule which came out a year or so ago. So most of your time will be PM involving fuel checks and radio work. All long haul flying on the 744 is 4 man crew. The rest is split in half although on the 15 hour LA-HKG flights it may be split up even further just so you are not in the seat for 7 hours + in one sitting. For the log book you log 50% of the time that you are in the seat. The job can be a little mind numbing however you can't beat the schedule.

If you dont mind me asking what is the schedule where you are. Also say for N american bases ( all of them if your aware) Thanks

Marbles1
How would you describe the relationship that exists between the SO and the rest of the crew.

I'm an SO on the Airbus fleet and it is quite different. I have never been asked to make bunks on the A340. Having said that, most of the flying now is on A330 so there are no crew rest bunks.

On the A330, it is 3 man crew. I always get involved (because I want to) and are quite often asked what fuel i would take if i was doing the sector as an FO.

I normally will ask if i can set up the FMS (6 out of 10 times I will get to). Not a requirement, but why not? I don't get to do much during the pre-start and pushback etc, so why not get involved where I can.

I guess it comes down to how keen you are. If you front up prepared as if you are doing the flight yourself, you'll never be caught off guard if you are asked to do something. Then when the upgrade comes around, you won't be doing much different during the pre-flight.

It would get very boring pretty quickly if you do nothing on every flight.

Duties of S/O
 

Silbirfuchs

Appreciate your insight, excellent post thanks.

Silbirfuchs,

You sound like a jam up guy. I like it when people don't get the big head when they are in positions of authority and are eager to help an up and coming F/0. I am still in my training for becoming a pilot in the US and am directing my career path towards CX. Posts like yours are extremely valuable and well appreciated. It would be a privilege to fly with you one day. Again, thanks for the great post.