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CREW COORDINATION/CREW RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Safe and efficient operation of the C-130 requires teamwork and depends on well understood,
ritualized roles and checklist responses. The minimum crew for the C-130 is two pilots and a
flight engineer, but the aircraft is usually operated with a loadmaster.
Definitions:
These are the roles when the aircraft is on the ground:
Pilot: pilot sitting in the left seat
Copilot: pilot sitting in the right seat
In flight, one pilot is designated as pilot flying (PF). This pilot hand flies the aircraft or operates
the autopilot. The pilot flying normally:
Calls for checklists
Makes throttle movements
Calls for configuration changes
Responds to checklist steps as “Pilot” or “Copilot” as appropriate
The other pilot, designated as pilot not flying (PNF) or pilot monitoring, normally:
Makes configuration changes (exception: because of their locations, the copilot always
moves the landing gear and condition levers)
Makes and answers radio calls
Sets up navigation equipment
Responds to checklist steps as “Pilot” or “Copilot” as appropriate
Note that pilot flying (PF) and Pilot in command (PIC) are not synonymous. The pilot in
command is directly responsible for, and is the final authority as to the operation of that aircraft.
The PIC provides the leadership and creates an environment in which the other crewmembers are
willing participants in the operation of the aircraft. Both pilots need to work together to keep
themselves and the rest of the crew informed of the aircraft’s energy state, configuration, and
where the aircraft is going and the clearance limits.
The flight engineer (“engineer” or “FE”) is responsible for systems operation and monitoring,
calculating performance data, and monitoring the engines.