Understanding Pilot Roles: Command and Monitoring Explained - Who Manages the Fuel Control System?

In the cockpit of a commercial aircraft, the roles of pilots are clearly defined to ensure safety, efficiency, and seamless operation. The two primary roles are the Pilot Flying (PF) and the Pilot Monitoring (PM), with responsibilities that shift depending on the phase of flight and operational needs. One critical system that often raises questions is the fuel control system—who manages it, and how do these roles interplay? This blog explores the distinct responsibilities of the PF and PM, clarifies their duties, and explains how fuel management is handled in modern aviation.

Pilot Flying (PF) vs. Pilot Monitoring (PM): The Basics

In a two-pilot cockpit, typically found in commercial airliners, the roles of PF and PM are assigned to ensure a clear division of tasks. These roles can alternate between the Captain and the First Officer (FO) during a flight, depending on the airline’s standard operating procedures (SOPs) or the specific flight leg.

• Pilot Flying (PF): The PF is responsible for controlling the aircraft, including manipulating the flight controls, following the flight path, and managing autopilot settings. The PF focuses on flying the plane, whether manually or through automated systems, ensuring it adheres to the planned route, altitude, and speed.
• Pilot Monitoring (PM): The PM supports the PF by monitoring the aircraft’s systems, instruments, and flight parameters. The PM cross-checks the PF’s actions, communicates with air traffic control (ATC), and handles non-flying tasks like checklist execution, system configuration, and emergency procedures if needed.

These roles are dynamic and can switch during a flight. For example, the Captain may act as PF during takeoff and landing, while the First Officer takes on the PM role, or vice versa, depending on training or operational requirements.

Key Responsibilities of Each Role

Pilot Flying (PF)

• Flight Path Control: Manages the aircraft’s trajectory, including heading, altitude, and speed, either manually or via autopilot.
• Autopilot and Autothrottle: Configures and monitors automated systems like the autopilot and autothrottle to maintain the desired flight profile.
• Response to Immediate Inputs: Adjusts controls in response to environmental factors like turbulence or ATC instructions relayed by the PM.
• Situational Awareness: Maintains awareness of the aircraft’s position and performance, relying on the PM for verification.

Pilot Monitoring (PM)

• System Monitoring: Tracks critical systems, including engines, navigation, and fuel, to ensure they operate within normal parameters.
• Checklist Management: Initiates and verifies checklists for various flight phases (e.g., pre-flight, takeoff, cruise, landing).
• Communication: Liaises with ATC, cabin crew, and ground operations, relaying critical information to the PF.
• Backup and Cross-Checking: Verifies the PF’s actions, such as confirming altitude changes or navigation inputs, to catch errors early.
• Emergency Handling: Takes the lead in managing abnormal situations, such as system failures, by running checklists and suggesting corrective actions.

The PM’s role is crucial for maintaining situational awareness and ensuring the PF’s actions align with safety protocols. Effective Crew Resource Management (CRM) ensures both pilots work as a cohesive team, communicating clearly and cross-verifying critical tasks.

Who Manages the Fuel Control System?

The fuel control system—encompassing fuel monitoring, management, and adjustments—is a shared responsibility, but the Pilot Monitoring (PM) typically takes the lead in overseeing it. Here’s how it works:

Fuel Control System Overview

Modern commercial aircraft, like the Boeing 737 or Airbus A320, are equipped with sophisticated fuel control systems that manage fuel flow to engines and balance fuel across tanks. These systems are largely automated but require active monitoring and occasional manual intervention. Key components include:

• Fuel Pumps and Valves: Control fuel transfer between tanks and to engines.
• Fuel Quantity Indicators: Display real-time fuel levels in each tank.
• Flight Management System (FMS): Integrates fuel data with flight planning to optimize consumption and calculate reserves.
• Alerts and Warnings: Electronic Centralized Aircraft Monitor (ECAM) or Engine Indicating and Crew Alerting System (EICAS) notifies pilots of fuel-related anomalies, like imbalances or low fuel levels.

PM’s Role in Fuel Management

The PM is primarily responsible for monitoring the fuel control system during flight. Specific tasks include:

• Pre-Flight Checks: Verifying fuel quantity, ensuring it matches the flight plan’s requirements (including reserves and contingency fuel), and checking fuel tank distribution.
• In-Flight Monitoring: Regularly checking fuel gauges, flow rates, and tank balances via the aircraft’s displays (e.g., ECAM/EICAS). The PM ensures fuel burn aligns with the FMS projections.
• Fuel Imbalance Corrections: If the aircraft’s fuel tanks become imbalanced (e.g., due to uneven burn or a leak), the PM may initiate cross-feed or fuel transfer procedures, following SOPs and coordinating with the PF.
• Low Fuel Alerts: Responding to low fuel warnings by calculating remaining endurance, consulting with the PF, and coordinating with ATC for potential diversions.
• Checklist Execution: Running fuel-related checklists, such as those for engine start, cruise, or abnormal situations like fuel leaks.

PF’s Role in Fuel Management

While the PM handles most fuel-related tasks, the PF has an indirect but critical role:

• Flight Profile Optimization: The PF’s decisions on speed, altitude, and route (via autopilot or manual control) directly impact fuel consumption. For example, choosing a fuel-efficient cruising altitude or speed can reduce burn rates.
• Decision-Making: In critical situations, such as a fuel emergency, the PF (often the Captain) makes the final call on actions like diverting to an alternate airport, based on the PM’s inputs.
• Coordination: The PF relies on the PM’s fuel updates to maintain situational awareness and adjust flight parameters if needed.

Collaborative Fuel Management

Fuel management is a team effort, guided by CRM principles. For example:

• During pre-flight, both pilots verify the fuel load against the flight plan, with the PM typically entering data into the FMS.
• In cruise, the PM monitors fuel burn and alerts the PF if deviations occur, such as higher-than-expected consumption due to headwinds.
• In emergencies, like a fuel leak, the PM runs the checklist while the PF maintains control of the aircraft, with both pilots discussing and agreeing on critical decisions.

Automation’s Role

Modern aircraft rely heavily on automation for fuel management. The FMS calculates optimal fuel burn, and systems like the Fuel Control and Monitoring Computer (FCMC) in Airbus aircraft automatically balance fuel tanks. However, the PM must still monitor these systems for anomalies, as automation can fail or require manual overrides. For instance, in a Boeing 737, the PM may manually activate the cross-feed valve to correct a fuel imbalance, following a checklist.

Real-World Example: Fuel Management in Action

Consider a typical flight on an Airbus A320 from Delhi to Mumbai:

• Pre-Flight: The PM verifies that the aircraft has 8,000 kg of fuel, including trip fuel, reserves, and contingency fuel, as per the flight plan. The PF confirms the FMS setup.
• Cruise: The PM monitors the ECAM, noting fuel burn is 2,500 kg/hour, aligning with projections. If a fuel imbalance is detected (e.g., left tank 200 kg lower than right), the PM initiates a cross-feed procedure after consulting the PF.
• Low Fuel Scenario: If the FMS indicates lower-than-expected fuel remaining due to unexpected headwinds, the PM calculates endurance and suggests a fuel-saving speed adjustment. The PF implements the change and communicates with ATC if a diversion is needed.

Key Considerations and Best Practices

• Training: Both pilots are trained to handle fuel-related tasks, ensuring either can step in if needed. Airlines conduct simulator sessions to practice fuel emergencies, reinforcing CRM.
• SOPs: Airlines have strict SOPs for fuel management, specifying when the PM should alert the PF or initiate procedures like fuel jettisoning (in aircraft equipped for it).
• Human Factors: Fatigue, distraction, or poor communication can lead to fuel mismanagement. CRM training emphasizes clear, concise communication, such as the PM stating, “Fuel imbalance detected, recommending cross-feed,” and the PF acknowledging, “Cross-feed approved, proceed.”
• Regulatory Oversight: Bodies like the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandate minimum fuel reserves and regular system checks to prevent fuel-related incidents.

Common Misconceptions

• Myth: The Captain always manages the fuel system. Reality: The PM, whether Captain or FO, typically monitors fuel, while the PF focuses on flying.
• Myth: Automation handles all fuel tasks. Reality: Automation assists, but the PM must actively monitor and intervene if needed.
• Myth: Fuel management is only critical during emergencies. Reality: Continuous monitoring by the PM ensures efficiency and safety throughout the flight.

Conclusion

The roles of Pilot Flying and Pilot Monitoring are complementary, ensuring that commercial flights operate safely and efficiently. While the PF controls the aircraft’s flight path, the PM takes the lead in monitoring critical systems, including the fuel control system. By working as a team, using automation wisely, and adhering to SOPs, pilots manage fuel effectively to prevent issues like imbalances or shortages. Understanding these roles highlights the precision and coordination required in the cockpit, ensuring every flight lands safely.

Disclaimer: This blog is based on general aviation practices and may vary slightly depending on specific aircraft types or airline SOPs. For detailed procedures, refer to airline manuals or regulatory guidelines from authorities like the DGCA or FAA.