What skills does a co-pilot need?

A co-pilot needs 38 essential skills including visual flight rules, geographic areas, aircraft flight control systems, air transport law, air traffic control operations. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace co-pilot jobs?

The AI disruption score for co-pilot is 68/100 (high risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

Engineering ServicesScience and engineering associate professionalsISCO 3153

co-pilot

Co-pilots are responsible for assisting captains by monitoring the flight instruments, handling radio communications, watching for air traffic, and taking over for the pilot as needed. They adhere to the pilot's commands, flight plans, and regulations and procedures of aviation national authorities, companies, and airports.

About co-pilot

As a co-pilot, you will serve as the first officer in commercial aviation, sharing critical responsibilities for safe and efficient flight operations with the aircraft captain. Your role involves monitoring flight instruments continuously, handling radio communications with air traffic control, scanning the airspace for traffic hazards, and managing complex avionics systems. You will prepare flight plans, conduct pre-flight checks, manage aircraft systems during all phases of flight, and be prepared to assume command of the aircraft if the captain is incapacitated. Your technical knowledge, situational awareness, and ability to work cohesively with the captain and crew are essential to passenger safety and operational success.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a co-pilot.

Flight Operations and Navigation

Monitor all flight instruments and systems displays throughout flight duration
Navigate aircraft using flight management systems and radio navigation aids
Brief flight plan details and verify route compliance with air traffic control clearances

Communication and Air Traffic Management

Handle radio communications with air traffic control throughout all flight phases
Maintain situational awareness by monitoring surrounding air traffic and weather
Report aircraft position, altitude, and heading at required intervals

Pre-Flight and Systems Management

Conduct thorough pre-flight inspections and verify aircraft systems functionality
Manage aircraft systems including hydraulics, electrical, pressurization, and environmental controls
Prepare flight plans and coordinate with dispatch regarding fuel, weight, and balance

Safety and Emergency Procedures

Adhere to national aviation regulations and airline-specific operating procedures
Execute emergency procedures and abnormal checklists as required during flight
Brief crew on safety procedures and passenger emergency protocols prior to departure

Crew Coordination and Command Support

Maintain professional and effective communication with the captain and flight crew
Assist captain with flight management and provide accurate information for decision-making
Be prepared to assume command if captain becomes incapacitated

Compliance and Professional Development

Maintain compliance with flight time limitations and rest requirements
Participate in recurrent training and type rating currency requirements
Follow airport-specific procedures and standard operating procedures for each facility

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (38)

visual flight rulesvisual flight rulesTypes of flight rules which are a compilation of regulations that allow pilots to fly aircrafts in clear as well as unclear weather conditions whereby it is declared that outside visual reference to t...geographic areasgeographic areasThe detailed knowledge of a geographical area where different organisations carry out operations.aircraft flight control systemsaircraft flight control systemsThe setting, features and operation of aircraft flight control systems such as flight control surfaces, cockpit controls, connections, and operating mechanisms required to control the flight direction...air transport lawair transport lawThe rules and regulations governing air transport, including international law.air traffic control operationsair traffic control operationsThe procedures for organising air traffic, preventing collisions and ensuring smooth operations during flights, and the tasks performed by air traffic controllers, including Interaction and effective ...civil aviation regulationscivil aviation regulationsThe body of regulations, rules and signals that apply to the field of civil aviation, including marshalling signals.common aviation safety regulationscommon aviation safety regulationsThe body of legislation and regulations that apply to the field of civil aviation at regional, national, European and International levels.operate radio equipmentoperate radio equipmentSet up and operate radio devices and accessories, such as broadcast consoles, amplifiers, and microphones. Understand the basics of radio operator language and, when necessary, provide instruction in ...use meteorological informationuse meteorological informationUse and interpret meteorological information for operations dependent on climatic conditions. Use this information to provide advise on safe operations in relation to weather conditions.ensure ongoing compliance with regulationsensure ongoing compliance with regulationsConduct tasks and procedures to ensure that aviation certificates maintain their validity; undertake safeguarding measures as appropriate.interpret visual literacyinterpret visual literacyInterpret charts, maps, graphics, and other pictorial presentations used in place of the written word.operate radio navigation instrumentsoperate radio navigation instrumentsOperate radio navigation instruments to determine the position of aircraft in the airspace.deal with challenging work conditionsdeal with challenging work conditionsDeal with challenging circumstances in which to perform work, such as night work, shift work, and atypical working conditions.read mapsread mapsRead maps effectively.use different communication channelsuse different communication channelsMake use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.ensure public safety and securityensure public safety and securityImplement the relevant procedures, strategies and use the proper equipment to promote local or national security activities for the protection of data, people, institutions, and property.implement airside safety proceduresimplement airside safety proceduresApply a series of airfield safety rules and procedures to ensure a safe working environment for airport crew.have spatial awarenesshave spatial awarenessBe aware of your position and the space around you. Understand the relationship of objects around you when there is a change of position.ensure smooth on board operationsensure smooth on board operationsEnsure the trip goes smoothly and without incidents. Before departure review if all security, catering, navigation and communication elements are in place.undertake procedures to meet requirements for flying aircraft heavier than 5,700 kgundertake procedures to meet requirements for flying aircraft heavier than 5,700 kgEnsure that operation certificates are valid, validate that take-off mass is a minimum of 5,700 kg, verify that the minimum crew is adequate according to flight needs and regulations, ensure that the ...operate cockpit control panelsoperate cockpit control panelsOperates control panels in the cockpit or flight deck according to the needs of the flight. Manage on-board electronic systems to ensure a smooth flight.perform flight manoeuvresperform flight manoeuvresPerform flight manoeuvres in critical situations, and associated ‘upset’ manoeuvres, in order to avoid collision.read 3D displaysread 3D displaysRead 3D-displays and understand the information they provide on positions, distances, and other parameters.apply signalling control proceduresapply signalling control proceduresControl train movements; operate railway signals and block systems to ensure that trains operate safely, on correct routes, and on time.apply transportation management conceptsapply transportation management conceptsApply transport industry management concepts in order to improve transportation processes, reduce waste, increase efficiency, and improve schedule preparation.comply with air traffic control operationscomply with air traffic control operationsAct in compliance with instruction provided by air traffic controllers.balance transportation cargobalance transportation cargoMaintain balance and mass distribution inside the means of transport (vessel, aircraft, train, road vehicles, etc). Ensure that passengers and cargo distribution do not hinder the mobility of the mode...perform take off and landingperform take off and landingPerform normal and cross-wind take-off and landing operations.handle stressful situations in the work placehandle stressful situations in the work placeDeal with and manage highly stressful situations in the workplace by following adequate procedures, communicating in a quiet and effective manner, and remaining level-headed when taking decisions.run preventive simulationsrun preventive simulationsRun preventive audits or simulations with new signalling systems. Assess operability and detect flaws for improvement.ensure aircraft compliance with regulationensure aircraft compliance with regulationEnsure that every aircraft complies with applicable regulation and all components and equipment have officially valid components.operate radar equipmentoperate radar equipmentOperate radar screens and other radar equipment. Ensure that aircraft fly at a safe distance from one another.inspect aircraftinspect aircraftConduct inspections of aircraft and aircraft components, their parts, appliances, and equipment, to identify malfunctions such as fuel leaks or flaws in electrical and pressurisation systems.prepare transportation routesprepare transportation routesPrepare routes through the addition or subtraction of routes, making changes to route frequency, and changing the service span of routes. Adjusts routes through providing additional running time to ro...undertake procedures to meet aircraft flight requirementsundertake procedures to meet aircraft flight requirementsEnsure that operation certificates are valid, guarantee that take-off mass is a maximum of 3,175 kg, verify that the minimum crew is adequate according to regulations and needs, ensure that the config...perform routine flight operations checksperform routine flight operations checksPerform checks before and during flight: conduct pre-flight and in-flight inspections of aircraft performance, route and fuel usage, runway availability, airspace restrictions, etc.follow verbal instructionsfollow verbal instructionsHave the ability to follow spoken instructions received from colleagues. Strive to understand and clarify what is being requested.analyse work-related written reportsanalyse work-related written reportsRead and comprehend job-related reports, analyse the content of reports and apply findings to daily work operations.

Optional (9)

communicate with customerscommunicate with customersRespond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.carry out navigational calculationscarry out navigational calculationsSolve mathematical problems to achieve safe navigation.write work-related reportswrite work-related reportsCompose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligib...respond to changing navigation circumstancesrespond to changing navigation circumstancesRespond decisively and in sufficient time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations while navigating.apply airport standards and regulationsapply airport standards and regulationsKnow and apply the accepted standards and regulations for European airports. Apply knowledge to enforce airport rules, regulations, and the Airport Safety Plan.analyse weather forecastanalyse weather forecastAnalyse weather forecasts and the information provided on meteorological conditions, such as wind forces, atmospheric structures, clouds, and visibility. Constantly monitor weather conditions to maint...tolerate stresstolerate stressMaintain a temperate mental state and effective performance under pressure or adverse circumstances.geostationary satellitesgeostationary satellitesThe functioning and purpose of geostationary satellites, their movement in the same direction as rotation of the Earth, and their application for telecommunication and commercial purposes.be friendly to passengersbe friendly to passengersEngage with passengers according to the expectations of contemporary social behaviour, the specific situation, and the code of conduct of the organisation. Communicate in a polite and clear way.