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:

• Pilots can transform non-rated passengers into valuable safety assets by proactively briefing and engaging them in cockpit tasks, rather than seeing them as a workload.
• Passenger involvement can be progressively assigned, starting with simple tasks like traffic spotting and monitoring gauges, and advancing to navigation, communication, and even basic flight control.
• Engaging passengers enhances flight safety by offloading pilot workload and providing extra support, while also serving as an effective way to foster interest in aviation and potentially encourage new pilots.

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