First officer pilot

Level 6/7 apprenticeship (non-degree qualification) · Transport and logistics route · Standard ST0523 v1.1

Level: 6
Typical duration: 24 months (about 2 years)
Max funding band: £27,000
Route: Transport and logistics

Support aircraft captains and commanders during flights.

About the role

The first officer, also known as co-pilot, works in a variety of aircraft e.g. commercial, military, passenger or freight. The role of the first officer is to support the aircraft Commander and to assist them in the safe and efficient conduct of the flight. In the event of the incapacitation of the Commander, the First Officer will assume the authority and responsibility for the aircraft and its crew, passengers and load. During normal operations, the Commander and the First Officer will alternate in performing the roles of ‘pilot handling’ and ‘pilot monitoring’. In these situations, the ‘pilot monitoring’ will conduct radio communications and monitor the duties of the ‘pilot handling’. At all times they are to ensure the safety and security of the passengers and crew. Apprentices will need to achieve either a frozen Air Transport Pilot Licence (Aeroplane) or a Multi-Crew Pilot Licence followed by Aircraft Type Conversion Training and supervised Line Training prior to taking an end-point assessment

First officers are responsible to their employers for ensuring the safety and efficiency of every flight by

Being fully aware of the planned route, contents of briefing sheets, the forecast meteorological conditions and runway states at the destination and alternate aerodromes
Supporting the Commander in the maintenance of high standards of crew discipline and conduct
Monitoring all aspects of the flight, checking that correct procedures and techniques are used, cross-checking all flight instrument indications, especially attitude, altitude / height, speed and heading and volunteering advice, information and assistance to the Commander, to contribute favourably to the safe and efficient conduct of the flight
Complying with UK ANO (Air Navigation Order) and the UK AIP (Aeronautical Information Publication)
Complying with UK Ops regulations
Complying with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) standards and recommended practices
Confirming the aircraft is following its planned navigation route and maintaining a safe terrain clearance
Complying with all flight time limitations, company occurrence reporting and rest requirements applicable to their activities
Reporting to the Commander any incident or defect that could endanger the safe operation of the aircraft
During any emergency or abnormal situation, carrying out the drills and procedures as laid down in the appropriate Company Manual

How it compares

At 24 months (about 2 years), it is shorter than average for a degree-level apprenticeship (the average across all 172 Level 6+ standards is 39 months).

The funding band — the maximum an employer's levy can contribute to training costs — is £27,000, at or above the £21,500 average for degree-level standards. Apprentices never pay tuition either way.

Typical job titles

Pilot
First officer pilot

Entry requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements including the requirement for security clearance. A class 1 medical certificate will be required under EASA/CAA regulations. Apprentices must be at least 18 years old in order to apply for a multi-crew pilot licence and at least 21 years old in order to apply for an Air Transport Pilot Licence

Entry requirements are ultimately set by each employer — treat these as the baseline, not the bar.

What you'll learn

The official standard defines 10 core duties, 33 knowledge areas, 31 skills, 8 behaviours. This is the actual assessed content of the apprenticeship — worth reading before an interview, because competency questions are usually written straight from these lists.

Core duties 10

Be fully aware of the planned route, contents of briefing sheets, the forecast meteorological conditions and runway states at the destination and alternate aerodromes
Support the Commander in the maintenance of high standards of crew discipline and conduct
Monitor all aspects of the flight, checking that correct procedures and techniques are used, cross-checking all flight instrument indications, especially attitude, altitude / height, speed and heading and volunteering advice, information and assistance to the Commander, to contribute favourably to the safe and efficient conduct of the flight
Comply with UK ANO (Air Navigation Order) and the UK AIP (Aeronautical Information Publication)
Comply with EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) Ops regulations
Comply with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) standards and recommended practices
Confirming the aircraft is following its planned navigation route and maintaining a safe terrain clearance
Complying with all flight time limitations, company occurrence reporting and rest requirements applicable to their activities
Reporting to the Commander any incident or defect that could endanger the safe operation of the aircraft
During any emergency or abnormal situation, carrying out the drills and procedures as laid down in the appropriate Company Manual

Knowledge 33

The UK CAA license and instrument rating requirements for the aircraft and role
The standards required for personal presentation and fitness for duty within their organisation (including uniform standard)
How to implement pre-flight planning and respond to en-route and terminal conditions
How to prepare a new flight plan or retrieve an existing flight plan
Know and understand the checks necessary to establish pre-flight airworthiness and air-readiness
How to liaise effectively with Air Traffic Control (ATC) and airport ground staff
The procedure for checking flight instruments and operating automatic flight control systems
The procedure for checking and operating aircraft propulsion units, systems and controls
The procedure for checking and operating navigation equipment, radio aids, surveillance equipment and radar appropriate to the flight
How to carry out start procedures and comply with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) during site manoeuvring
The organisations service routines for the specific flight/route/sector
The airline SOPs and how to maintain control, smoothly and safely during all stages of flight
Automated systems affecting flight control and navigation
How weather conditions and their effect, impact on the implementation of the flight plan, including wind, clouds, precipitation, visibility, ice accretion, air masses and fronts
How to evaluate, respond to and manage abnormal situations
The organisations procedures for releasing the aircraft
The organisations procedures to be carried out after the last flight of the day
The procedures for recording and reporting malfunctions and faults
Aviation procedures and practices required for the completion of aircraft and safety documentation
The refuelling procedures for the aircraft type
Know the limitations and performance of the aircraft as laid down in the relevant Flight Manual and/or Operations Manual
The importance of legislation, procedures and regulations relating to an aviation environment in order to apply and deliver organisational compliance requirements within own area of responsibility
The UK ANO (Air Navigation Order) and the UK AIP (Aeronautical Information Publication)
The UK Ops regulations
Know and understand the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) standards and recommended practices
Know and understand the importance of Regulatory line checks and License Proficiency Checks
How to maintain the security of aircraft, crew and payload
Requirements for maintaining aviation security in own area of authority and action to take in the event of a breach of security
The health and safety legislation in aviation both in relation to own role and organisation, including how to monitor on-board aircrew
The requirements and importance of personal fitness and actions which must be taken if unfit for duty
The organisation’s safety management systems and safety culture
The purpose of the organisation including its vision, objectives and brand / organisational standards, how they compare to its competitors and how own role, and the team, help to achieve them
How to achieve customer satisfaction within their organisation and sphere of influence

Skills 31

Ensure personal preparation and presentation standards are upheld in accordance with professional and organisational regulations and standards
Prepare and check/validate a flight plan
Establish the airworthiness and air readiness of the aircraft
Check and operate flight instruments and systems
Check and operate radar and radio aids
Check and operate aircraft propulsion systems
Check and operate navigation and communication equipment
Accurately report defective equipment
Collect information to aid decision making
Communicate clearly and professionally with ATC and airport ground staff
Handle the aircraft on the ground in accordance with relevant SOPs
Secure and seal the aircraft in accordance with company regulations and procedures
Close down aircraft engines, systems and equipment in accordance with regulations and procedures
Communicate effectively with colleagues, cabin crew, ground operational teams and customers at appropriate times to ensure service efficiency, safety and security
Implement agreed flight plan, making appropriate judgements to respond to en-route and terminal conditions
Maintain control, stability and safety during all stages of the flight, following airline SOPs
Manage and monitor automated systems
Monitor weather conditions during the flight and control the aircraft in response
Respond appropriately to all abnormal situations e.g. engine failure, disruptive passenger, forced landing, fire, decompression at altitude
Handle and control the aircraft in a smooth and safe manner when responding to abnormal situations
Release the aircraft in accordance with SOPs
Accurately record malfunctions, faults and maintenance requirements
Complete pre and post flight documentation
Supervise the refuelling of the aircraft
Consult with the Commander and inform crew members clearly what action is required in response to emergency situations
Ensure self and team monitor and apply the compliance, legislation, procedures and regulations commensurate to your role
Identify risks and non-compliance, ensuring corrective actions are taken or situations are escalated in accordance with organisation’s procedures
Monitor aviation security in own area of responsibility
Identify and address / report actual or potential hazards pre-flight, in-flight or post-flight as required
Record and report safety and security incidents, including self-reporting when required
Drive the team to maintain brand / organisational standards at all times, and identify and address any potential risks according to organisational procedures

Behaviours 8

Be vigilant, alert and proactive in promoting a safe, reliable, secure and compliant working culture within the first officer role
Promote a customer focused culture within the aircraft and when representing the aircraft operator
Lead by example and command the operation of the aircraft and the team by communicating in a calm, decisive manner
Be visible and approachable, treating customers, colleagues and other stakeholders with courtesy and respect at all times
Work confidently using initiative and resilience to proble m solve and escalate when required as per your aircraft operator’s procedures
Display loyalty, integrity and accountability to the aircraft operator
Be commercially aware to deliver an agile, efficient and professional aviation service
Appreciate situational awareness in complex, three dimensional and fast moving aviation situations

Live vacancies

No live vacancies for this course as of 2026-07-24 — new adverts appear on Find an apprenticeship daily, and many degree apprenticeship employers recruit on their own careers sites instead.

Universities registered to deliver it

No university is currently on the provider register for this standard — delivery is by specialist training providers. The full provider list is on Find apprenticeship training.

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Official sources

Occupational summary, duties, knowledge, skills and behaviours reproduced from the ST0523 apprenticeship standard (last updated 2026-07-22) — contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Always check the official page before applying: standards get revised.