Beer And First Officers: Who Pays The Tab?

Alcohol has long been a part of military life, and while the weight and viscosity of that lubricant may change throughout one's military career, the practice of drinking with colleagues remains. In the case of captains and first officers, the dynamic is an interesting one. In aviation, the first officer (FO), also called co-pilot, is a pilot in addition to the captain, who is the legal commander. While the captain is ultimately responsible for the aircraft, its passengers, and the crew, control is typically shared equally between the two. This equal dynamic may extend to drinking beers together, though the power dynamic and rank structure could make this a more complex social interaction.

In aviation, the first officer is also called the co-pilot

In aviation, the first officer (FO) is also called the co-pilot. The captain is the legal commander of the aircraft and the FO is the second-in-command. In the event that the captain is incapacitated, the FO will take command. Typically, the captain and FO share control of the aircraft equally, with one designated as the "pilot flying" and the other as the "pilot monitoring" or "pilot not flying". Even when the FO is the designated pilot, the captain remains responsible for the aircraft, its passengers, and crew.

The FO will often log time as a pilot in command under supervision (PICUS) with the goal of working towards an airline transport pilot licence. In some cases, a junior first officer—a pilot who is not yet fully qualified—may be present. In this case, a safety pilot will monitor both the junior FO and the captain.

The captain and FO will usually alternate between the roles of pilot flying and pilot monitoring for each leg of the trip. The captain will always be responsible for starting the engines and taxiing the plane, as most airliners only have a steering tiller on the left side. The FO will typically handle radios, checklists, and programming the flight management system (FMS) when on the ground. When the FO is the designated pilot, they will take control of the thrust and stick once the captain has lined up the plane on the runway. After landing, the FO will hand back control of the aircraft to the captain.

The first officer assumes command of the aircraft if the captain is incapacitated

In the event of the captain's incapacitation, the first officer assumes command of the aircraft. The first officer is the second-in-command and is also referred to as the co-pilot. The captain is the legal commander of the aircraft and is responsible for the aircraft, its passengers, and the crew.

In a typical day-to-day operation, control of the aircraft is shared equally between the first officer and the captain. One pilot is designated as the "pilot flying", while the other acts as the "pilot not flying" or "pilot monitoring". The first officer may log time as a "pilot in command under supervision" to work towards obtaining an airline transport pilot licence.

On long-haul flights, there may be multiple captains and first officers on board to provide relief. When the captain is resting, the senior first officer assumes the left-hand seat. Some airlines have the rank of "junior first officer" for pilots who are not yet fully qualified. In such cases, a safety pilot will monitor the junior first officer and the captain during training.

The first officer is responsible for assisting the captain and ensuring the safe operation of the aircraft. In the event of the captain's incapacitation, the first officer is trained to take over command and make critical decisions. This includes handling emergency situations, communicating with air traffic control, and ensuring the safety of the passengers and crew.

The first officer's role in taking over command is crucial to the safe continuation of the flight and the well-being of everyone on board. The first officer's ability to act quickly and effectively in such situations is essential to aviation safety.

Control of the aircraft is typically shared equally between the first officer and the captain

In aviation, the first officer (FO), also called a co-pilot, is a pilot who supports the captain, who is the legal commander of the aircraft. While the captain retains ultimate responsibility for the aircraft, its passengers, and crew, control of the aircraft is typically shared equally between the first officer and the captain. One pilot is designated the "pilot flying" while the other is designated the "pilot not flying" or "pilot monitoring" for each flight.

The first officer will assume command of the aircraft in the event of the captain's incapacitation. On long-haul flights, there may be multiple captains and first officers on board to provide relief. While the captain rests, the senior first officer sits in the left-hand seat.

The traditional seating arrangement has the first officer sitting on the right-hand side of a fixed-wing aircraft and the left-hand side of a helicopter. This is due to the pilot flying being unable to release their right hand from the cyclic control to operate the instruments, so they sit on the right side and operate the instruments with their left hand.

Airlines may also have the rank of "junior first officer" for pilots who are still undergoing training. A safety pilot will monitor the junior first officer and the captain during flights. After gaining sufficient flight experience, a first officer can be promoted to senior first officer, typically requiring at least 1,500 flight hours.

Captains have more disposable income and tend to drink microbrews

Captains generally have more disposable income than their first officers. Disposable income is the amount of money left after paying taxes and other mandatory charges. It is used for both essential and non-essential spending. With their higher disposable income, captains can afford to indulge in microbrews, which are specialty beers with bold flavours and exciting tastes. Microbreweries produce beer in smaller quantities than regular breweries, focusing on creating unique and exciting beers for adventurous drinkers.

The higher disposable income of captains allows them to explore the diverse and flavourful offerings of microbreweries. These beers often come at a higher price point due to their limited production and use of specialty ingredients. With their additional financial flexibility, captains can treat themselves and their crew to these premium beverages.

Microbreweries are known for their innovative and experimental brews, attracting captains and crew members seeking new and exciting drinking experiences. These breweries often operate as brewpubs, offering a bar and restaurant experience to their customers. This provides an opportunity for captains to not only enjoy the beer but also socialise and build camaraderie with their crew in a relaxed atmosphere.

Additionally, microbreweries often have a regional focus, allowing captains to sample local beers and support small-scale producers. This sense of community and connection to the region can enhance the drinking experience and foster a sense of loyalty among captains and their crews.

The higher disposable income of captains not only grants them access to microbrews but also aligns with the adventurous and indulgent nature of these specialty beers. This financial flexibility contributes to the overall drinking culture and social dynamics within the captain's inner circle.

In summary, captains, with their higher disposable income, tend to drink microbrews, embracing the opportunity to indulge in specialty beers, support local producers, and cultivate social connections within their crew.

In the US Navy, captains can provide crew members with beer after an enemy ship is sunk

It is important to note that alcohol consumption in the US Navy has been largely prohibited since 1914, when Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels issued General Order No. 99, banning the use and possession of alcoholic beverages on naval vessels and installations. However, there have been some exceptions and modifications to this rule over the years.

In 1980, Secretary of the Navy Edward Hidalgo made a significant change by allowing crew members who had been at sea for more than 45 continuous days to have two beers. This decision was influenced by his personal experience during World War II when he witnessed the destruction of a cargo of beer on the USS Enterprise due to a kamikaze attack.

While the US Navy has mostly maintained a dry policy, there are rare exceptions where alcohol is permitted for medicinal or celebratory purposes. For example, ships may stock a small amount of alcohol for medicinal use, which can be issued by the medicinal officer or captain in specific situations. Additionally, during the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC), a flotilla of international navies participated in a unique event, marking the last occasion that alcohol was consumed on US Navy ships before the implementation of General Order No. 99 in 1914.

It is worth noting that the presence of alcohol in the US Navy has been a subject of debate and adjustment over the years, with periods of stricter prohibition and occasional exceptions granted by commanding officers.

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