Captain is pilot in command vested with a legal responsibility and is overall incharge of the flight.
Aviation has evolved from a single pilot operation to a co-pilot being introduced who was generally a backup, should the Captain be unable to discharge his duties. An element of safety being introduced or enhanced, with a backup pilot in the name of co-pilot. The co-pilots during earlier days of introduction were not allowed to handle controls by the captains.
From the earlier concept of backup pilot, the role of a co-pilot has undergone a sea change. With modern aircrafts and introduction of complex aircraft systems, the Captain needed an active helping hand to share the workload. The role of copilot evolved from a backup mode to that of an active crew member, opportunity in handling the controls as well, and last but not the least, in taking command decisions under Captain grooming for the role of captaincy.
Copilot in his new avatar is being viewed as Captain in waiting and is being accorded all the exposure in decision making and handling the controls.
The power gradient between a Captain and co-pilot seemed to have reduced over a period of time and the role of a co-pilot being accorded equal importance.
I wouldn’t be surprised if one comes across a old pilot who still believes the role of a copilot as a backup only!!!!!!
