AZEL
Pre-takeoff checklist
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2025
- Messages
- 261
- Display Name
- AcrftZeroEngineLand
October 25, 1930
TO - ALL CO-PILOTS:
Every man in an organization has a certain part to play and duty to perform. The first pilot is delegated the responsibility of flying the ship; the service crew has the responsibility of keeping the ship in safe flying condition; the traffic department has tàe responsibility of supplying the passengers and the operations depart- ment hes'the responsibility of ordering the ships in and out end making certain that everyone in the operations depertment performs his duty. Even with all this division of authority into the above named competent departments, there are still many SMALL CHORES which have been left undone, and for this reason and none other, there has been created in the aviation industry a demand for THE CO-PILOT.
There are now fourteen co-pilots in the Southern Division of American Airways, Inc., whose flying time ranges from 400 hours to 2500 hours.
Regardless of how much flying time a co-pilot has had, it is necessary that all co-pilots be regarded alike by their superiors,THE FIRST PILOT. Your job is to do many things which other employees do not want to do. Your immediate superior is the first pilot. His wants ere your orders - he is king - you cre his faithful and alertservant. You are on probation always; your working hours are from now on and your pay is small. Your advancement is uncertain end there are thousands of other first pilot aspirants striving to get your job at even less money and more work. You are not employed because of your flying ability and by your employment you are not assured ever of having run of your own as first pilot.
The pilot with whom you now have the privilege of flying lergely controls your destiny. If you handle these many details assigned you, many of which ere unpleasant, and if you prove to be of value to him and to others, you may assume that you will have the privilege of remaining as co-pilot for him until some years to come, at which time you will have learned much from your associations and flying experiences with him; and you will have won for yourself recognition by the company and all, as a gentleman and as an experienced co-pilot worthy of promotion.
You were not employed to do the flying, not only because you are not considered capable but because far better pilots, the finest in the world, have been employed for that work and if you are permitted to take the controls at any time you may consider this a special favor on the part of the first pilot. A co-pilot who does his job well, makes very little noise and listens attentively to his superiors and will in time demand and receive recognition for his services.
As co-pilot, there is something which really is worth working for and which can be attained but first IT MUST BE EARNED.As long as you do your work well and conduct yourself strictly as a co-pilot, this company will regard you really as an important department of the organization end you will find many very good friends among those with whom you are working. You are going to be asked to do many personal favors for the older pilots but always keep in mind that these same older pilots are at some time later going to be in a position to do many and greater favors for you.
If you know yourself to have an excess of pride, swallow it; if you have personal faults, overcome them; always make a neat and pleasant impression on your passengers and upon those with whom you work and live.
Trusting that you àre successful in your enterprise of becoming A GOOD CO-PILOT,
Sincerely yours,
JERRY MARSHALL
OPERATIONS MANAGER
JM:G
CC-All Pilots
(ORIGINAL: https://www.aviationquotations.com/1930 AA letter to co-pilots.pdf)
TO - ALL CO-PILOTS:
Every man in an organization has a certain part to play and duty to perform. The first pilot is delegated the responsibility of flying the ship; the service crew has the responsibility of keeping the ship in safe flying condition; the traffic department has tàe responsibility of supplying the passengers and the operations depart- ment hes'the responsibility of ordering the ships in and out end making certain that everyone in the operations depertment performs his duty. Even with all this division of authority into the above named competent departments, there are still many SMALL CHORES which have been left undone, and for this reason and none other, there has been created in the aviation industry a demand for THE CO-PILOT.
There are now fourteen co-pilots in the Southern Division of American Airways, Inc., whose flying time ranges from 400 hours to 2500 hours.
Regardless of how much flying time a co-pilot has had, it is necessary that all co-pilots be regarded alike by their superiors,THE FIRST PILOT. Your job is to do many things which other employees do not want to do. Your immediate superior is the first pilot. His wants ere your orders - he is king - you cre his faithful and alertservant. You are on probation always; your working hours are from now on and your pay is small. Your advancement is uncertain end there are thousands of other first pilot aspirants striving to get your job at even less money and more work. You are not employed because of your flying ability and by your employment you are not assured ever of having run of your own as first pilot.
The pilot with whom you now have the privilege of flying lergely controls your destiny. If you handle these many details assigned you, many of which ere unpleasant, and if you prove to be of value to him and to others, you may assume that you will have the privilege of remaining as co-pilot for him until some years to come, at which time you will have learned much from your associations and flying experiences with him; and you will have won for yourself recognition by the company and all, as a gentleman and as an experienced co-pilot worthy of promotion.
You were not employed to do the flying, not only because you are not considered capable but because far better pilots, the finest in the world, have been employed for that work and if you are permitted to take the controls at any time you may consider this a special favor on the part of the first pilot. A co-pilot who does his job well, makes very little noise and listens attentively to his superiors and will in time demand and receive recognition for his services.
As co-pilot, there is something which really is worth working for and which can be attained but first IT MUST BE EARNED.As long as you do your work well and conduct yourself strictly as a co-pilot, this company will regard you really as an important department of the organization end you will find many very good friends among those with whom you are working. You are going to be asked to do many personal favors for the older pilots but always keep in mind that these same older pilots are at some time later going to be in a position to do many and greater favors for you.
If you know yourself to have an excess of pride, swallow it; if you have personal faults, overcome them; always make a neat and pleasant impression on your passengers and upon those with whom you work and live.
Trusting that you àre successful in your enterprise of becoming A GOOD CO-PILOT,
Sincerely yours,
JERRY MARSHALL
OPERATIONS MANAGER
JM:G
CC-All Pilots
(ORIGINAL: https://www.aviationquotations.com/1930 AA letter to co-pilots.pdf)
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