Pilot Flying / Pilot Monitoring

Pilot Flying (PF) and Pilot Monitoring (PM) define the two complementary roles in a multi-crew cockpit. These roles are assigned before each flight phase and can be swapped between the Captain and First Officer.

Pilot Flying:

• Controls the aircraft (manually or through the autopilot)
• Makes the flight path decisions
• Communicates intentions to the PM

Pilot Monitoring:

• Monitors flight instruments, engine parameters, and systems
• Handles radio communications with ATC
• Reads checklists and manages the FMS
• Provides callouts (altitude, speed, deviations)
• Cross-checks the PF's actions and decisions

The PM role (formerly called "Pilot Not Flying" — a term abandoned because it implied passivity) is critical to flight safety. Many accidents have been attributed to inadequate monitoring. The PM is expected to speak up assertively if the PF deviates from standard parameters — a core principle of Crew Resource Management (CRM).