I have relatively little experience with flightsim aircraft of this detail level, as a result I find myself falling behind the airplane in some high-workload phases of flight. I know this will improve with practice, but it got me thinking about the division of tasks in the cockpit.Would the real-life pilots care to share how the tasks are shared during the different phases of flight? Does it vary by aircraft, or is it fairly standard (barring unique aircraft requirements)? I've watched pilots in a B1900 before (love the open cockpit door!) and noticed things like switching which pilot has their hand on the throttles at various phases (V1 I assume, and maybe runway in sight on the approach?) What about actually manipulating gear and flaps? Does the pilot flying make the calls, and the other actually makes the changes? I'd appreciate any input you guys have.Have a great day!Ryan McLeod

The Pilot Flying (PF) flies the plane, the Pilot Not Flying (PNF) does everything else. When the PF wants to do something not absolutly and directly related to flying the plane, they transfer control to the PNF (who now becomes the PF) while they do the thing they need to do and then transfer control back again. Radio's, FMC programing, passenger comfort, fuel management - all done by the PNF. About the only way to stay ahead of the aircraft when you are on your own in the cockpit is to do as much as you can before you need to do it, and to decide and plan what you are going to do ahead of time. Even something as simple as reading a checklist two or three times before you need to follow it will make things smoother and easier. Don't worry, it comes with practise and it does get easier.

Hey Ryan,A basic rundown - Pilots follow a SOP ( Standard operating procedure) That means the Capt and F/O have clearly defined roles. It doesn't vary much but each company has there own way of doing things, some more strict then others.To give you a basic example - The crew will decide beforehand who is 'Pilot flying' and 'Pilot Non flying' pilot non flying handles the radios flaps, gear, monitors instruments etc to leave the pilot flying fully concentrating on flying the aircraft. We dont have the luxury in the sim world :)On T/O the pilot flying will have his hand on the throttles until V1 then he must remove his hand at V1 as sign that they are commited to the T/OAll very basic but I hope you get the idea, FSCrew is the closest thing to simulating real ops in FS, I would also suggest watching some videos of flightcrews on youtube, lots out there.RegardsEDIT - Haha Paul beat me to it :)

When I am PNF with the pilot-owner I fly with, he wants me to handle ATC but when I am PF in the terminal area I prefer the radio chore because I find that it helps my situation awareness. Otherwise, even us 'amatures' will have split cockpit proceedures. Flying with two in the cockpit is much better because of it.

Thanks for info, guys :)Ryan McLeod

Hi, just a couple of extras to above comments, I notice when watching DVDs that when PNF receives a message from ATC to change ALT or Heading, the PF puts this data into the MCP confirms this with PNF then executes. just a point. richard welsh

Hi, just a couple of extras to above comments, I notice when watching DVDs that when PNF receives a message from ATC to change ALT or Heading, the PF puts this data into the MCP confirms this with PNF then executes. just a point. richard welsh

That is consistent with the PF flying the plane. Think of the consequences of the PNF changing the MCP? They would be flying the plane, wouldn't they. Instead, they handle the comms, relay the change instructions (so now both pilots know what is expected) and the PF decides how to implement the instructions.