SAFA Skysailor Magazine

49 SPRING 2026 | September-October-November SKY SAILOR The role of Duty Pilots You may be performing the role of a Supervising Pilot and also be a Duty Pilot. Duty Pilots are even further empowered (SAFA Operations Manual V3.0_20250604, Section 6.3.4). Conditions may become unsuitable for supervised or low-hours pilots, and a Duty Pilot may direct those pilots to land. Duty Pilots also can and should close a site if conditions become unsafe or unsuitable for flight operations, regardless of the certifications held by the pilots present. Giving these directions is not instruction. The list of Duty Pilot responsibilities can be found in the Ops Manual Section 4.3.3. Closing thoughts For the supervised: be patient. Patience exercised while in your supervised days will yield positive results as you progress. Ask your supervisors why, why, why? Remember, we were all once the same as you: Not knowing what you don’t know. Keep learning. We are there to help you. For the supervisor: be patient. Remem- ber how it was when you started out? Help fill in the gaps in your charges’ knowledge from what you have learned. It is your mission to ensure your pilots make it to safe landings. If it’s not safe, don’t let them go. If it becomes unsafe, direct them to a safe landing. Brief. Debrief. Explain why. Finally, I am going to close with these direct quotes from the Operations Manual, that apply equally to supervising pilots: 4.1.3 Safety Officers and Duty Pilots Liability While Safety Officers and Duty Pilots will give advice when asked, they accept no responsibility or liability in respect of any advice given. 4.1.3.1 Pilot-in-Command applies The roles of Safety Officer and Duty Pilot are voluntary, each member acknowledges and accepts that Pilot-in-Command applies, and they waive these person’s liability for any act or omission in the performance of those duties Until next time, fly safe.