Originally Posted by
jackal
So during the times the "auxiliary pilot" is covering for the other two, there is only one pilot in the cockpit? How is that legal?
A similar thought occurred to me when one of you posted way upthread about longer flights requiring an extra F/O--when the captain goes on rest, how is it legal for there to only be an F/Os in command of the aircraft? Obviously, if he were qualified as a captain, that's one thing, but if not?
Obviously, it is legal, since it happens (if I'm understanding correctly), but I thought the PIC had to be qualified to, well, be the PIC (and I would assume that means he is qualified as a captain).
Or does the captain legally remain the PIC even when he is sleeping? I'm assuming that the title of PIC transfers to whomever is in charge at a given time. But if the captain technically remains the PIC even when he is on rest, how can he follow FAR 91.3(b) and be responsible for making the decision to deviate from other rules and regulations? By the time he woke up and got from the crew bunk to the cockpit, the plane's either already crashed or the fill-in F/O has already made a decision which could come back to haunt the captain (since he remains responsible...).
Or maybe I'm just
...
Edit: OK, I just reread the initial quote, and I'm guessing that on "shorter" longhauls where there are a total of three pilots on board, one rotates out and two remain in the cockpit, leaving two in the cockpit at all times. But that still leaves my second question of who is responsible when it's the captain's turn to rotate out for some rest...
OK, it's been a while since I've done long haul international flying so I'm going by memory. You're correct, when there is only one relief pilot onboard the plane, then the pilots swap out on rest one at a time. There are always two pilots usually up front unless one takes a quick restroom run. Now, on longer international flights, there are basically two crews, so you have 4 pilots, with two on rest and then swapping with the other crew enroute for their break.
All the pilots are type-rated on the plane, so they are qualified in either seat. There is only one captain for the flight. If he is away on break, the two F/O's up front are in charge of the flight. If something major comes up, they can bring the captain back up to the cockpit.