Definition
In a multi-crew cockpit, the Pilot Flying (PF) is the crew member assigned primary responsibility for manipulating the flight controls and managing the flight path of the aircraft during a given phase of flight. The other pilot acts as the Pilot Monitoring (PM), handling radios, checklists, configuration changes, and cross-checking the PF's actions. The PF role can be transferred between pilots during the flight through a clear, verbal handover.
Plain English
The pilot who is actually flying the aircraft at that moment — hands on the controls, steering, climbing, descending, turning. The other pilot supports them by working the radios, running checklists, and watching for mistakes.
Context Anchor
Seen in two-pilot instrument procedures, approach briefings, and cockpit communication, where the crew divides flying and support duties clearly.
Why Pilots Care
Prevents confusion over who has authority to make control inputs, especially during high-workload phases.
Intuition Check
Do not assume Pilot Flying always means the pilot physically holding the controls. The PF is the pilot responsible for the flight path, even if the autopilot is doing the actual control movement.
Example Sentence 1
During the approach briefing, the captain confirmed she would be the PF for the landing while the first officer worked the radios as PM.
Example Sentence 2
During the missed approach, the first officer remained PF while the captain handled the radios.