Why is there always a co-pilot along with the pilot during flights?

Question

Because the pilot hates to drink alone...

Answer 1

Nah! He as the navigator and the stewardesses to party with. But when he has had too much and needs a designated driver thats when the co-pilot comes in so they can land it together. Each one with one eye closed

Answer 2

Co-pilots help with the CRM (crew resource management) They crew the aircraft together, which helps reduce poor aeronautical decision making, and basically lightens up the load. Co-pilots are usually as qualified as far as having their commercial license, however it seems that most are building up towards their ATP. Another term I hear for a co pilot is a "Safety Pilot". Basically like the gentalman stated prior, is a second set of eyes and ears for the high volume, high velocity of information that needs to be processed. A second pilot comes in handy in bad weather, at unfamiliar airports, and as a safety pilot!
Co-pilots often take over the comms, nav, INS, and other big ticket items that basically make a aircraft more reasonable to handle...Plus, the FAA mandates on which aircraft need at least a crew of two pilots, which can be flown single pilot, but usually the ones that are allowed to fly single pilot are only allowed to do so in VMC conditions. I could be wrong, but check the FAR/AIM out under Part 135.
If you are speaking of just buzzing around in a single engine aircraft liek what you'd find at a smaller GA airport, you don't have to utilize a co-pilot, however, it does make the flight more interesting as you have someone to talk to!

Answer 3

Having a second pilot on board is purely a safety issue. The pilot can become incapacitated requiring a second pilot. In the event of an emergency the flight deck on commercial airliner can become a very busy place. That's when a second set of eyes, ears, hands etc can be very handy. Additionally those two pilots aren't the only reason you are safer in an aircraft than you are traveling to the airport but they are part of that reason.

Trained and experienced aircraft accident investigator.

Answer 4

Basically the only planes where there is a co-pilot are extremely complex aircraft that require 2 people to fly. The old 747's required 3 people, 2 pilots and an engineer. Now with computers etc all the newer 747's only use 2 crew.

If things get ugly aircraft, weather or traffic wise, it is good to have someone else to help with the medial tasks (radio, nav's etc) whilst the captain flies the plane.

Also as stated, if the captain had a heart attack...who would fly the 180 passengers to safety??

Answer 5

Checklists used for routine and emergency procedures consist of command and response. This is best performed by two people.

Having a copilot gives the pilot the opportunity to concentrate on flying the plane. The Co-pilot can change frequencies, update position reports, communicate with the ground and prepare for upcoming requirements. He also can back-up the pilots hand on the throttles.

It's becoming less of a necessity as technology continues to replace manual functions in the cockpit. In the days of old, changing radio frequency required rotation of three knobs while watching the numbers. That wasn't convenient in heavy traffic or severe weather.

Answer 6

In a state of emergency a single pilot can become over whelmed very quickly with alarms and data that is coming at him. Having another pilot available allows one to get data and possibly correct the issue. they also have 2 pilots to double check the pre-flight and post-flight check list. Redundancy is good.

Answer 7

Because some aircraft are too complex for one person to do everything. However, its done based on aircraft weight and lighter aircraft may be operated single pilot.

Its a fact though that operating a smaller twin, single pilot under instrument conditions, is a whole lot harder than something like a Cessna Citation. Ask any PA31 pilot!

Answer 8

First, it's an FAA rule. That covers everything. The reasoning behind it is safety.

While the likelihood of the pilot's having an incapacitating event during any flight is miniscule, the chance of two pilots' having such an even is infinitesimal.

Answer 9

No silly! It is a safety measure. If something happens to the pilot, the co-pilot is there to take over.

Answer 10

Watch "Snakes on a Plane" and you'll know why there always is a co-pilot along with the pilot during flights

Motherf****ing snakes...... funnyest quote ever....