People behind your flight

First officer (co-pilot)

Meet First Officer Mateo Alvarez, an illustrative character. Shares flying duties with the captain, handles radio calls and checklists and monitors everything.

Before the flight

Does the exterior check (sometimes), loads the flight plan and sets up the displays.

During the flight

Flies or monitors, makes callouts and cross-checks the captain.

After the flight

Helps shut down systems and completes the paperwork.

Works closely with

Works with the captain and dispatch, and speaks to ATC.

Good to know

• The first officer is fully qualified and often a future captain.
• Both pilots are trained to challenge each other politely.

Meet First in Gate 41

Related questions

• Why do the engines change sound?
• Why does takeoff feel so fast?
• Why does the wing seem to come apart?
• What are those bangs and roars when we land?
• What is the little fan that pops out of the aircraft?
• What are all those dings?
• Why does taxiing take so long?
• The primary flight display

An illustrative composite character. Roles, titles and procedures differ between airlines, airports and countries.