Air Crew: Combat Crew, 1943/44 - The Co-Pilot

Most of what I have just said about pilots goes for co-pilots. There are two ways of looking at the co-pilot's job. One idea is that he sits along-side of the pilot, runs a few gadgets, and once in awhile takes over the controls-while he waits for the pilot to die of old age or halitosis. The right way is to see the co-pilot as the executive officer of the ship. Turning that crew into a combat team is a full-time job for two men, or ten. Co-pilots who show ability, drive, and a willingness to assume responsibility, will get their own ships-in a hurry. We often pull a man who shows he has got the stuff off a ship during training. The other day we got a call for 15 pilots. We picked men who had been co-pilots for only six weeks-but they had convinced us they could deliver. Incidentally, if any of you are curious, there is no question but what a co-pilot is needed in a heavy bomber. Perhaps in routine flying one man can handle the ship-but in combat it calls for everything two men have to kick her around."