Are there more pilots on longer flights?

Question

On really long flights, do more pilots come along? Because dont both a pilot and a co-pilot have to be awake and controlling the plane?

Answer 1

Just two. Some flights had a navigator too, but this is rare now.

Answer 2

Yes. On long (oceanic) flights, we carry two additional pilots. All 4 pilots are qualified to fly in either seat. The Captain is the most senior member of the group.

Usually, 2 pilots will go to the bunk room soon after takeoff to begin their rest cycle. Somewhere into the flight, they will come to the flight deck to relieve the first 2 pilots.

It's a workable system, and keeps pilots from becomming too fatigued on 14 hour flights.

Answer 3

yup, you will have a minimum of 2 pilots and for longer flights 3 or 4 of them.

Answer 4

I'm pretty sure that there is a pilot and a co-pilot. You would think that neither would fly over eight hours at a pop to give the other time to sufficiently rest.

Answer 5

it depends on the Flight and the Airline.. yes pilots need there rest.. as fatigue is a major problem for pilots to face every day.. so in planes like the 777-ER and A380 as far as i know Singapore and malaysian airlines have installed special sleeping quarters for the pilots where they have up to or more than 3 pilots and 1 navigator/engineer to exchange at a certain time throughout the flight.

hope i answered your question! =)

Answer 6

On flights like lets say New York to Singapore which is a

16 hr + direct flight there will be a second set of Pilot and co-pilot to take over.

Answer 7

If the flight is longer, there is usually a stop-over for refuel, that's when a different crew - pilot, co-pilot and even stewardess take over.

Answer 8

Long flights are double crewed.

Answer 9

On a flight lasting more than 10hrs, one or two extra pilots always fly long to relieve the other pilot cus of fatigue...

Answer 10

A qualified Captain and First Officer must be at the controls at all times.

Relief crews are required on flights longer than 7-1/2 hours.  Most large airliners and cargo planes provide rest/sleeping space for the off duty crew.

For example, Seattle to HongKong direct is 13-14 hours.  The departure crew are sleeping it off by the time you are even with the Japanese mainland, and the relief crew lands the airplane.  One Captain is the designated Aircraft Commander and can be waked up if something goes wrong, which is very rare.

P.S.: "refuelling stops" are like 50 years ago.

Answer 11

The length of a "Crew duty" day varies with the airline but is regulated by the FAA. On long haul flights there is a relief crew.

Answer 12

Pilots have limits on the number of hours that they can fly in a given period (daily,weekly, monthly and yearly) and if it is a long-haul flight a spare "set" of pilots is carried so these hours aren't exceeded.  Quite often the original crew fly the take-off and a certain time afterwards, then the spares take over in the middle and the originals take it again for the later stages and the landing.  Or they stagger it so one or the other is relieved at a time.  There are always two actually in control (or should be!).