Definition
The second pilot of an aircraft, qualified to operate the controls and assist or relieve the pilot in command. The copilot shares flying duties, monitors instruments and communications, and is fully rated to fly the aircraft, but operates under the authority of the pilot in command for the duration of the flight.
Plain English
A second qualified pilot who flies alongside the pilot in command, helping fly the aircraft and able to take over the controls when needed.
Context Anchor
Seen in crew assignments, airline and corporate flight operations, multi-pilot aircraft procedures, and discussions of who has authority during a flight.
Derivation
From 'co-' (Latin, meaning 'together with') plus 'pilot.' The 'co-' prefix signals partnership rather than subordination — the copilot flies with the captain, not merely for them.
Why Pilots Care
The copilot is not a passenger or trainee. They are a fully qualified pilot sharing the workload, providing redundancy, and able to take command if the pilot in command becomes incapacitated. Crew coordination between the two is central to safe multi-crew flying.
Intuition Check
A copilot is not just an assistant or trainee. A copilot is a qualified pilot with assigned cockpit duties, even when another pilot has final authority.
Example Sentence 1
The copilot handled the radios while the captain flew the approach.
Example Sentence 2
Before departure the captain and copilot reviewed the emergency procedures together.