Co-pilot’s duties

Co-pilot should:

1. Master piloting technique and aeronavigation to ensure safe flying.

2. Observe pre-flight rest.

3. Be able to analyze and correctly assess meteorological and aeronautical environment situation.

4. Get ready for the flight to the full extent.

5. Control the condition and readiness of the aircraft and its proper loading.

6. Know radiotelephone phraseology and the rules of communication.

7. Inform the captain about all malfunctions of aircraft systems and instruments and make suggestions of their removal.

8. Make decisions and act according to the situation if the captain cannot perform his duties due to various reasons.

9. Inspect the aircraft after landing and taxying to the stand.

Co-pilot has the right:

1. To pilot the aircraft at all stages of the flight with the captain’s permission.

2. To fulfil the captain’s instructions when the captain cannot perform his duties.

Co-pilot is responsible for:

1. Meeting the requirements of all regulation documents of Civil Aviation.

2. Discretion while taxying and in flight.

3. Timely and correct actions at the decision height together with the captain.

4. Maintaining flight parameters given by the captain.

5. Safe completion of the flight while piloting when the captain cannot fulfil his duties.

Controller’s role

To talk about the air traffic controller's role is, of course, important. Controller's functions are very numerous and rather difficult. It is known that great technological achievements have been reached. But speaking about full automation in the field of aircraft operations and air traffic control one must remember that electronic devices cannot replace man. They can only be an auxiliary to the human operator. Increasing air safety is the main task of controllers. Some people see the answer to ATC problems in large radars with enormous coverage (range). This will require navigation system with air-ground data links so that position information is the same in the air and on the ground. The task of the controller then will be separating aircraft from each other and maintaining a safe and orderly flow of traffic. The role of the controller in the future is becoming that of a monitor, he will interfere only when needed. So he will be a necessary element in the air traffic control process.

Radio Navigation Aids – vor/dme

Navigation is the directing of aircraft from one place to another along a particular line of travel. To navigate a pilot uses radio navigation aids. There are a variety of different types of radio navigation aids. Here are some of them.

Vor (omnidirectional radio range) and DME (distance measuring equipment) are often located at the same site. They operate on VHF (very high frequency) and UHF (ultra high frequency) respectively and are not affected by static or other interferences. The maximum range of VOR is about 200 nautical miles. By flying VOR the pilot ensures he is flying directly to the station. Also by measuring radials from more than one VOR station, a pilot can check his position.

The function of DME is to measure distance. The DME measures, electronically, the time it takes for a signal, transmitted from an aircraft interrogator, to reach the ground base station transponder, and return. This elapsed time is converted to miles and appears on a digital indicator on the flight deck. The indicator actually seems to rapidly count the number of miles between the aircraft and the station giving the pilot a continuous digital reading of how far he is from or to a station.

With the many VOR/DME stations along the route, a pilot can make good his desired track; is constantly aware of his distance to or from a DME station; or, by using two VOR radials, establish his exact position.