I am the co-pilot. I sit on the right.
It is up to me to be quick and bright.
I never talk back for I have regrets,
but I have to remember what the captain forgets.
I make out the flight plan and study the weather, pull up the gear, stand by to feather.
Make out the mail forms and do the reporting, and fly the old crate while the captain is courting.
I take the readings, adjust the power, put on the heaters when we”re in a shower.
Tell him where we are on the darkest night, and do all the bookwork without any light.
I call for my captain and buy him cokes; I always laugh at his corny jokes.
And once in a while when his landings are rusty I always come through with ”by gosh it is gusty”.
All in all I”m a general stooge, as I sit on the right of the man I call ”scrooge”.
I guess you think that is past understanding, but maybe some day he will give me a landing!
Never to blurt out with those famous (aviation) words. I HAVE COMMAND!
Happy Landings!
WITH THANKS TO AIRCRAFT ILLUSTRATED