First officer
The second pilot, fully qualified to fly the aircraft and sharing the flying with the captain, who retains overall command.
Definition
The first officer is the second pilot on the flight deck, holding a full licence and type rating for the aircraft and flying a share of the sectors as "pilot flying" while the captain acts as "pilot monitoring", and vice versa. They have no lesser role in the cockpit's checklists and decision-making, but the captain keeps final authority. On long-haul flights a second officer or relief pilot may join as an augmented crew member.
What it means for you
From the cabin the first officer is usually the pilot who briefs you on turbulence timing and estimated arrival, and who comes out for a physiological break on long sectors while the sterile cockpit rules still apply. On an augmented long-haul flight the pilots' rest rotation is why a cabin crew member may be asked to guard the flight-deck door at odd hours.
In practice
On a Turkish Airlines Istanbul–Bogotá sector, three pilots rotate through the bunk; the first officer's rest slot is when the purser will ask you to escort them through the cabin and back in.
Related terms
4 terms- CaptainRoles & ranksThe pilot in command, legally responsible for the aircraft, everyone on board and every operational decision.
- Flight deckRoles & ranksThe pilots' compartment at the front of the aircraft, and by extension the pilots themselves as distinct from cabin crew.
- CRMSafety & trainingCrew Resource Management — the training in communication, decision-making and assertiveness that lets a crew work as one team.
- Sterile cockpitSafety & trainingThe rule that bans non-safety contact with the flight deck in critical phases of flight — taxi, take-off, landing and below 10,000 ft.