What makes a good First Officer?
08-02-2011, 12:02 AM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Position: the correct seat
Posts: 1,422
What makes a good First Officer?
I'm about to start my first airline job, and I'm looking for some help on how to get it right. What are the DO's and DON'Ts of good FO's?
I'm looking for things that will make the CA's life easier. Should I set up his instruments before departure? Should I print the dispatch release and have it waiting when he gets to the gate? Is it considered presumptuous to ask "when are we going to start slowing for this approach?"
They don't teach this stuff in groundschool, and I'm trying to get it right as early as possible. Also, I'm not only interested in cockpit advice. Also looking for little things that FA's and ground staff expect or do not expect FO's to do.
Thanks!
I'm looking for things that will make the CA's life easier. Should I set up his instruments before departure? Should I print the dispatch release and have it waiting when he gets to the gate? Is it considered presumptuous to ask "when are we going to start slowing for this approach?"
They don't teach this stuff in groundschool, and I'm trying to get it right as early as possible. Also, I'm not only interested in cockpit advice. Also looking for little things that FA's and ground staff expect or do not expect FO's to do.
Thanks!
08-02-2011, 01:42 AM
#5
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 40,388
08-02-2011, 03:25 AM
#6
Kerbal Rocket Surgeon
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: DTW 717A
Posts: 1,099
A few pointers:
Don't let things get to you. A four/five day trip gets real long if you let things which you perceive as dumb or annoying begin to bother you.
Let people talk.
Don't set the captain's instruments.
Don't do the captain's flow items.
Sit back and learn, don't let them fly into a thunderstorm or land gear up, instead be willing to let them fly the plane their way as long as it isn't endangering anyone.
Don't critique anyone's landings.
Don't say gay stuff on the radio.
Above all else, chill out. Your opinion matters more when you need it to if you haven't been annoying people for the past 3 days.
Don't let things get to you. A four/five day trip gets real long if you let things which you perceive as dumb or annoying begin to bother you.
Let people talk.
Don't set the captain's instruments.
Don't do the captain's flow items.
Sit back and learn, don't let them fly into a thunderstorm or land gear up, instead be willing to let them fly the plane their way as long as it isn't endangering anyone.
Don't critique anyone's landings.
Don't say gay stuff on the radio.
Above all else, chill out. Your opinion matters more when you need it to if you haven't been annoying people for the past 3 days.
08-02-2011, 04:26 AM
#7
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,498
I'm about to start my first airline job, and I'm looking for some help on how to get it right. What are the DO's and DON'Ts of good FO's?
I'm looking for things that will make the CA's life easier. Should I set up his instruments before departure? Should I print the dispatch release and have it waiting when he gets to the gate? Is it considered presumptuous to ask "when are we going to start slowing for this approach?"
They don't teach this stuff in groundschool, and I'm trying to get it right as early as possible. Also, I'm not only interested in cockpit advice. Also looking for little things that FA's and ground staff expect or do not expect FO's to do.
Thanks!
I'm looking for things that will make the CA's life easier. Should I set up his instruments before departure? Should I print the dispatch release and have it waiting when he gets to the gate? Is it considered presumptuous to ask "when are we going to start slowing for this approach?"
They don't teach this stuff in groundschool, and I'm trying to get it right as early as possible. Also, I'm not only interested in cockpit advice. Also looking for little things that FA's and ground staff expect or do not expect FO's to do.
Thanks!
08-02-2011, 05:15 AM
#8
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2009
Position: What day is it?
Posts: 963
I'm about to start my first airline job, and I'm looking for some help on how to get it right. What are the DO's and DON'Ts of good FO's?
I'm looking for things that will make the CA's life easier. Should I set up his instruments before departure? Should I print the dispatch release and have it waiting when he gets to the gate? Is it considered presumptuous to ask "when are we going to start slowing for this approach?"
They don't teach this stuff in groundschool, and I'm trying to get it right as early as possible. Also, I'm not only interested in cockpit advice. Also looking for little things that FA's and ground staff expect or do not expect FO's to do.
Thanks!
I'm looking for things that will make the CA's life easier. Should I set up his instruments before departure? Should I print the dispatch release and have it waiting when he gets to the gate? Is it considered presumptuous to ask "when are we going to start slowing for this approach?"
They don't teach this stuff in groundschool, and I'm trying to get it right as early as possible. Also, I'm not only interested in cockpit advice. Also looking for little things that FA's and ground staff expect or do not expect FO's to do.
Thanks!
"Watch the Captains you fly with. You will see some very good traits, some marginal ones and some bad ones. Pay attention to the good ones and emulate them as a First Officer and you will mature into a good Captain."
I still try to live up to that suggestion from that pilot.
My dad.
Thanks, pops.
08-02-2011, 05:40 AM
#10
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jun 2007
Position: "clear right"
Posts: 69
A good pilot anticipates what the other is going to do, but does not assume, the other guy may be seeing something you are not. A good pilot does not prompt the other by placing his or her hand on the flaps or gear lever. You think I should have them out, then ask if I want them.
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