Definition
A pilot designated as second in command (SIC) is the pilot qualified to act as a required pilot other than the pilot in command (PIC) on an aircraft for which more than one pilot is required by the aircraft type certificate, the operating regulation, or the kind of operation being conducted. The SIC holds the appropriate category, class, and type ratings (or an SIC-only type rating) and meets the recency and training requirements for the operation.
Plain English
The SIC is the second pilot at the controls — usually the co-pilot — qualified to fly the aircraft alongside the pilot in command when the operation requires two pilots.
Context Anchor
Seen in airline, transport, and other two-pilot operations when describing pilot roles, qualifications, crew duties, and flight time.
Derivation
From the military and maritime tradition of ranking officers by command authority. The 'second in command' is literally the next person in the chain of command after the captain, ready to take over if the first in command is unable to continue.
Why Pilots Care
Logging SIC time correctly matters for building qualifying flight hours toward ATP and airline jobs. SIC duties, limitations, and qualifications are also tightly regulated — flying as SIC without the right training, rating, or currency is a regulatory violation.
Intuition Check
SIC does not mean a less important pilot or a trainee. It means a specific assigned crew role: the pilot who supports the pilot in command but does not hold final authority for the flight.
Example Sentence 1
She logged 500 hours as SIC in the regional jet before upgrading to captain.
Example Sentence 2
A pilot must meet specific experience requirements before logging time as SIC in a turbine-powered aircraft.