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home Transport and logistics
First officer pilot

First officer pilot

Transport and logistics

Level 6 - Professional Occupation

Support aircraft captains and commanders during flights.

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Reference: OCC0523

Status: assignment_turned_inApproved occupation

Average (median) salary: £62,778 per year

SOC 2020 code: 3511 Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers

SOC 2020 sub unit groups:

  • 3511/01 Airline pilots
  • 3511/03 Flying instructors
  • 3511/04 Helicopter pilots

Technical Education Products

ST0523:

First officer pilot

(Level 6)

Approved for delivery

Employers involved in creating the standard:

TUI, Royal Air Force, Virgin Atlantic, Flybe, Thomas Cook, British Airways, Easy Jet, DHL Air, Air Mid-West, Air Harrods

Summary

The first officer, also known as co-pilot, works in a variety of aircraft e.g. commercial, military, passenger or freight. The role of the first officer is to support the aircraft Commander and to assist them in the safe and efficient conduct of the flight. In the event of the incapacitation of the Commander, the First Officer will assume the authority and responsibility for the aircraft and its crew, passengers and load. During normal operations, the Commander and the First Officer will alternate in performing the roles of ‘pilot handling’ and ‘pilot monitoring’. In these situations, the ‘pilot monitoring’ will conduct radio communications and monitor the duties of the ‘pilot handling’. At all times they are to ensure the safety and security of the passengers and crew. Apprentices will need to achieve either a frozen Air Transport Pilot Licence (Aeroplane) or a Multi-Crew Pilot Licence followed by Aircraft Type Conversion Training and supervised Line Training prior to taking an end-point assessment

First officers are responsible to their employers for ensuring the safety and efficiency of every flight by

  • Being fully aware of the planned route, contents of briefing sheets, the forecast meteorological conditions and runway states at the destination and alternate aerodromes
  • Supporting the Commander in the maintenance of high standards of crew discipline and conduct
  • Monitoring all aspects of the flight, checking that correct procedures and techniques are used, cross-checking all flight instrument indications, especially attitude, altitude / height, speed and heading and volunteering advice, information and assistance to the Commander, to contribute favourably to the safe and efficient conduct of the flight
  • Complying with UK ANO (Air Navigation Order) and the UK AIP (Aeronautical Information Publication)
  • Complying with UK Ops regulations
  • Complying with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) standards and recommended practices
  • Confirming the aircraft is following its planned navigation route and maintaining a safe terrain clearance
  • Complying with all flight time limitations, company occurrence reporting and rest requirements applicable to their activities
  • Reporting to the Commander any incident or defect that could endanger the safe operation of the aircraft
  • During any emergency or abnormal situation, carrying out the drills and procedures as laid down in the appropriate Company Manual

Employers involved in creating the standard:

TUI, Royal Air Force, Virgin Atlantic, Flybe, Thomas Cook, British Airways, Easy Jet, DHL Air, Air Mid-West, Air Harrods

eco

Mid Green occupation

Typical job titles include:

First officer pilot
Pilot

Keywords:

Aircraft
Flight
Maintenance
Operations
Pilot
Plane
Transportation

Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)

K1: The UK CAA license and instrument rating requirements for the aircraft and role
K2: The standards required for personal presentation and fitness for duty within their organisation (including uniform standard)
K3: How to implement pre-flight planning and respond to en-route and terminal conditions
K4: How to prepare a new flight plan or retrieve an existing flight plan
K5: Know and understand the checks necessary to establish pre-flight airworthiness and air-readiness
K6: How to liaise effectively with Air Traffic Control (ATC) and airport ground staff
K7: The procedure for checking flight instruments and operating automatic flight control systems
K8: The procedure for checking and operating aircraft propulsion units, systems and controls
K9: The procedure for checking and operating navigation equipment, radio aids, surveillance equipment and radar appropriate to the flight
K10: How to carry out start procedures and comply with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) during site manoeuvring
K11: The organisations service routines for the specific flight/route/sector
K12: The airline SOPs and how to maintain control, smoothly and safely during all stages of flight
K13: Automated systems affecting flight control and navigation
K14: How weather conditions and their effect, impact on the implementation of the flight plan, including wind, clouds, precipitation, visibility, ice accretion, air masses and fronts
K15: How to evaluate, respond to and manage abnormal situations
K16: The organisations procedures for releasing the aircraft
K17: The organisations procedures to be carried out after the last flight of the day
K18: The procedures for recording and reporting malfunctions and faults
K19: Aviation procedures and practices required for the completion of aircraft and safety documentation
K20: The refuelling procedures for the aircraft type
K21: Know the limitations and performance of the aircraft as laid down in the relevant Flight Manual and/or Operations Manual
K22: The importance of legislation, procedures and regulations relating to an aviation environment in order to apply and deliver organisational compliance requirements within own area of responsibility
K23: The UK ANO (Air Navigation Order) and the UK AIP (Aeronautical Information Publication)
K24: The UK Ops regulations
K25: Know and understand the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) standards and recommended practices
K26: Know and understand the importance of Regulatory line checks and License Proficiency Checks
K27: How to maintain the security of aircraft, crew and payload
K28: Requirements for maintaining aviation security in own area of authority and action to take in the event of a breach of security
K29: The health and safety legislation in aviation both in relation to own role and organisation, including how to monitor on-board aircrew
K30: The requirements and importance of personal fitness and actions which must be taken if unfit for duty
K31: The organisation’s safety management systems and safety culture
K32: The purpose of the organisation including its vision, objectives and brand / organisational standards, how they compare to its competitors and how own role, and the team, help to achieve them
K33: How to achieve customer satisfaction within their organisation and sphere of influence

S1: Ensure personal preparation and presentation standards are upheld in accordance with professional and organisational regulations and standards
S2: Prepare and check/validate a flight plan
S3: Establish the airworthiness and air readiness of the aircraft
S4: Check and operate flight instruments and systems
S5: Check and operate radar and radio aids
S6: Check and operate aircraft propulsion systems
S7: Check and operate navigation and communication equipment
S8: Accurately report defective equipment
S9: Collect information to aid decision making
S10: Communicate clearly and professionally with ATC and airport ground staff
S11: Handle the aircraft on the ground in accordance with relevant SOPs
S12: Secure and seal the aircraft in accordance with company regulations and procedures
S13: Close down aircraft engines, systems and equipment in accordance with regulations and procedures
S14: Communicate effectively with colleagues, cabin crew, ground operational teams and customers at appropriate times to ensure service efficiency, safety and security
S15: Implement agreed flight plan, making appropriate judgements to respond to en-route and terminal conditions
S16: Maintain control, stability and safety during all stages of the flight, following airline SOPs
S17: Manage and monitor automated systems
S18: Monitor weather conditions during the flight and control the aircraft in response
S19: Respond appropriately to all abnormal situations e.g. engine failure, disruptive passenger, forced landing, fire, decompression at altitude
S20: Handle and control the aircraft in a smooth and safe manner when responding to abnormal situations
S21: Release the aircraft in accordance with SOPs
S22: Accurately record malfunctions, faults and maintenance requirements
S23: Complete pre and post flight documentation
S24: Supervise the refuelling of the aircraft
S25: Consult with the Commander and inform crew members clearly what action is required in response to emergency situations
S26: Ensure self and team monitor and apply the compliance, legislation, procedures and regulations commensurate to your role
S27: Identify risks and non-compliance, ensuring corrective actions are taken or situations are escalated in accordance with organisation’s procedures
S28: Monitor aviation security in own area of responsibility
S29: Identify and address / report actual or potential hazards pre-flight, in-flight or post-flight as required
S30: Record and report safety and security incidents, including self-reporting when required
S31: Drive the team to maintain brand / organisational standards at all times, and identify and address any potential risks according to organisational procedures

B1: Be vigilant, alert and proactive in promoting a safe, reliable, secure and compliant working culture within the first officer role
B2: Promote a customer focused culture within the aircraft and when representing the aircraft operator
B3: Lead by example and command the operation of the aircraft and the team by communicating in a calm, decisive manner
B4: Be visible and approachable, treating customers, colleagues and other stakeholders with courtesy and respect at all times
B5: Work confidently using initiative and resilience to proble m solve and escalate when required as per your aircraft operator’s procedures
B6: Display loyalty, integrity and accountability to the aircraft operator
B7: Be commercially aware to deliver an agile, efficient and professional aviation service
B8: Appreciate situational awareness in complex, three dimensional and fast moving aviation situations

Duties

Duty D1

Be fully aware of the planned route, contents of briefing sheets, the forecast meteorological conditions and runway states at the destination and alternate aerodromes

Duty D2

Support the Commander in the maintenance of high standards of crew discipline and conduct

Duty D3

Monitor all aspects of the flight, checking that correct procedures and techniques are used, cross-checking all flight instrument indications, especially attitude, altitude / height, speed and heading and volunteering advice, information and assistance to the Commander, to contribute favourably to the safe and efficient conduct of the flight

Duty D4

Comply with UK ANO (Air Navigation Order) and the UK AIP (Aeronautical Information Publication)

Duty D5

Comply with EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) Ops regulations

Duty D6

Comply with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) standards and recommended practices

Duty D7

Confirming the aircraft is following its planned navigation route and maintaining a safe terrain clearance

Duty D8

Complying with all flight time limitations, company occurrence reporting and rest requirements applicable to their activities

Duty D9

Reporting to the Commander any incident or defect that could endanger the safe operation of the aircraft

Duty D10

During any emergency or abnormal situation, carrying out the drills and procedures as laid down in the appropriate Company Manual