Non-Pilot Copilots

Just let me know if theres anything I can do" is a common request of the non-rated passengers Ive carried aloft from time to time. Usually, we dont even get to that point; the idea of going up in a personal aircraft is sufficiently foreign to most non-pilots they cant even conceive of helping minimize the workload. They also dont understand theyre contributing to it. Passengers unfamiliar with the concept often are a necessary evil of flying personal aircraft. Having been both the PIC and the pax over the years, Ive seen the phenomenon from both sides. Most of the time, some patience, understanding and smooth flying on a good-weather day is all the pilot needs to assure a pleasant experience for the pax and a safe flight.

Key Takeaways:

• Non-pilot passengers can significantly enhance flight safety and reduce pilot workload if properly briefed, trained, and actively engaged.
• Training passengers should be progressive, starting with simple tasks like traffic spotting, chart management, and monitoring accessible instruments, and potentially advancing to checklist reading, ground navigation, and even basic flight control.
• Pilots must prioritize safety by proactively briefing passengers on protocols, assigning clear tasks, preventing inadvertent interference, and managing communication effectively throughout the flight.

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