First officer (aviation)

"Co-pilot" redirects here. For other uses, see Co-pilot (disambiguation). For the AI software, see Microsoft Copilot.
A first officer at the controls of a de Havilland Canada Dash 8 passenger aircraft

In aviation, the first officer (FO), also called co-pilot, is a pilot in addition to the captain, who is the legal commander. In the event of incapacitation of the captain, the first officer will assume command of the aircraft.[1]

  1. ^ Leone, Dario (2022-04-24). "Airline pilot explains why the co-pilot is more important than the captain on a plane and why he would rather have a good co-pilot than a good #2 engine any day". The Aviation Geek Club. Retrieved 2023-11-11.