Upgrading to captain is a special moment in any pilot’s career. Putting on the fourth stripe gives the pilot added authority, and with that comes more responsibility and accountability. In the eyes of the regulator and your organization, the buck stops at the left seat with regards to safety and operational matters. Understanding the history, intent, and limits of this authority will ease this added burden for both the new and seasoned pilot-in-command.
The origins of captain’s authority are deeply rooted in maritime law and tradition. At sea, operations in an unnatural environment required a single responsible authority. A ship’s captain had absolute authority and was the unquestioned commander responsible for the ship, cargo, and crew. In fact, as an example, depending on the country’s flag being flown, the captain could order someone restrained or locked up, remove any member of the staff, refuse to carry passengers or cargo, and legally perform a marriage.
Pilot, safety expert, consultant, and aviation journalist Stuart “Kipp” Lau writes about flight safety and airmanship for AIN.
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