FLYINGLSUTiger
New Member
I would like to know some experienced opinions of what you think make a good first officer or captain. Thank you for your input.
What makes a good First Officer?
- Thread starter FLYINGLSUTiger
- Start date
Jimmy_Norton
Well-Known Member
No chipped teeth. Poor gag reflex.
TheOneMarine
Well-Known Member
Back in 2007: A pulse
Couldn't help it
Couldn't help it
Murdoughnut
Well sized member
Lives in base with no debt.
Baronman
Well-Known Member
OK....sorry.
A good pilot who is flexible will be a good FO. I know I'm painting with a broad brush "Good Pilot," but one who plans well, does tasks logically, doesn't rush, and can pick out the good habits from the bad. One who is a "team player," looking to back up the Captain, keep him informed and be an asset rather than a detraction. One who takes "ownership" of the flight, by that I mean not just a monkey who plugs in the same numbers day after day, making assumptions along the way, but one who actually analyzes data as well. * Common trap I see.
These are just some things....
A good pilot who is flexible will be a good FO. I know I'm painting with a broad brush "Good Pilot," but one who plans well, does tasks logically, doesn't rush, and can pick out the good habits from the bad. One who is a "team player," looking to back up the Captain, keep him informed and be an asset rather than a detraction. One who takes "ownership" of the flight, by that I mean not just a monkey who plugs in the same numbers day after day, making assumptions along the way, but one who actually analyzes data as well. * Common trap I see.
These are just some things....
falcon20pilot
Well-Known Member
For either position....
One who understands the systems of the aircraft, and doesn't freak out when a red light comes on, but calmly assesses what has happened and figures out whether or not it is really an issue requiring dire emergency actions, and regardless uses their understanding to make a safe outcome. A lot more understanding than just reading the emergency check list (although that will also work a good majority of the time if they are patient and do it).
I have been with both Captains (as FO) and FO's (the other way) where both reacted in ways which created issues out of non-issues due to their lack of understanding of what was happening.
One who understands the systems of the aircraft, and doesn't freak out when a red light comes on, but calmly assesses what has happened and figures out whether or not it is really an issue requiring dire emergency actions, and regardless uses their understanding to make a safe outcome. A lot more understanding than just reading the emergency check list (although that will also work a good majority of the time if they are patient and do it).
I have been with both Captains (as FO) and FO's (the other way) where both reacted in ways which created issues out of non-issues due to their lack of understanding of what was happening.
CaptBill
Well-Known Member
I can't believe no one said it yet....A good FO is the one who says, "take the good looking one, Captain--I'll take the other one."
Man, you guys are slipping...
A real good FO says: "Captain, you take them both, I'm turning in early so I can get to the airplane early and have everything ready for you".
CaptBill
Well-Known Member
Qgar
New Member
Don't bet on that, dear!
You forget that I work with some very mature guys these days......:crazy:
CaptBill
Well-Known Member
ATC RET 2003
No More Vectors
In a pinch... an American Airlines flight attendant.
Boris Badenov
Fortis Leader
I don't disagree at all, but this requires a boss who doesn't second guess every decision made. Two way street.
CaptBill
Well-Known Member
Don't ask questions you already know the answer to.
Bumblebee
Commodore
jtrain609
Antisocial Monster
I once had a Southwest FO tell me everything I ever needed to know about being a first officer.
1. "Captain, that was a fantastic landing."
2. "Captain, you've got a great personality, you must be great with the flight attendants."
3. "I'll take the fat one, sir."
dasleben
That's just, like, your opinion, man
Okay, serious answer:
I spent about a year in the right seat with my former airline, and now almost two years in the left with my current one. Granted, I mostly fly single-pilot where I'm at now, but we do get paired up with FOs on a regular basis.
From my perspective, I'd say the best trait for an FO is to be assertive when you need to be. Unless the guy in the left seat lacks so much confidence that he can't take any sort of correction from the FO, you're not going to have a problem bringing up ideas or pointing out deviations. In fact, it's expected. This is 2010, not 1946. Jokes aside, an FO's role isn't to sit in the right seat and pull gear. It's to be an asset in the cockpit.
My company has a bit of an issue in terms of CRM with two-crew operations. I'm not sure where it stems from...the training department does train CRM, we have manuals that lay it out very clearly, and yet, I constantly fly with FOs who seem to believe that they're not allowed to question anything I do. Even though the first thing I say when I'm flying with a new FO is "be assertive!", many of them are not. I'm actually on the union safety committee, and I'm determined to address this.
Case in point: Recently I was flying with an FO who'd been with the company for several months. Seemed to have a good grasp about what was going on, and was really progressing well in terms of flying the airplane, planning, etc. Then of course, one day comes along where I'm not paying attention and I bust a taxi clearance. I realize it, stop, and say to him "Did ground tell us to hold short back there?"
His response: "Yep."
He watched me do it, knowing all the while that I was busting the clearance. He just didn't want to speak up, even though I really do my best to create an open cockpit environment. Maybe it's my fault, I dunno.
I'll say this, though: I'd much rather fly single-pilot with my autopilot than with an FO who's not going to speak up if I'm about to kill us all or get us violated. There's no point of having him in the seat if he's just going to sit there picking his nose. Be useful in the cockpit, and that means be assertive and speak up.
I spent about a year in the right seat with my former airline, and now almost two years in the left with my current one. Granted, I mostly fly single-pilot where I'm at now, but we do get paired up with FOs on a regular basis.
From my perspective, I'd say the best trait for an FO is to be assertive when you need to be. Unless the guy in the left seat lacks so much confidence that he can't take any sort of correction from the FO, you're not going to have a problem bringing up ideas or pointing out deviations. In fact, it's expected. This is 2010, not 1946. Jokes aside, an FO's role isn't to sit in the right seat and pull gear. It's to be an asset in the cockpit.
My company has a bit of an issue in terms of CRM with two-crew operations. I'm not sure where it stems from...the training department does train CRM, we have manuals that lay it out very clearly, and yet, I constantly fly with FOs who seem to believe that they're not allowed to question anything I do. Even though the first thing I say when I'm flying with a new FO is "be assertive!", many of them are not. I'm actually on the union safety committee, and I'm determined to address this.
Case in point: Recently I was flying with an FO who'd been with the company for several months. Seemed to have a good grasp about what was going on, and was really progressing well in terms of flying the airplane, planning, etc. Then of course, one day comes along where I'm not paying attention and I bust a taxi clearance. I realize it, stop, and say to him "Did ground tell us to hold short back there?"
His response: "Yep."
He watched me do it, knowing all the while that I was busting the clearance. He just didn't want to speak up, even though I really do my best to create an open cockpit environment. Maybe it's my fault, I dunno.
I'll say this, though: I'd much rather fly single-pilot with my autopilot than with an FO who's not going to speak up if I'm about to kill us all or get us violated. There's no point of having him in the seat if he's just going to sit there picking his nose. Be useful in the cockpit, and that means be assertive and speak up.