IRRE

INTRODUCTION
The duties of the pilot and RIO are necessarily integrated. The performance of one crewmember contributes to the performance of the other. Successful crew interaction can provide cockpit synergy that significantly improves mission success. However, a pilot/ RIO team that does not interact successfully can be a major detriment to mission success. In this chapter, specific responsibilities are delineated for each phase of flight. Specific mission flightcrew responsibilities are also delineated.37.2

PILOT AND RIO RESPONSIBILITIES
Aircrew coordination is the flightcrew’s use and integration of all available skills and resources in order to collectively achieve and maintain crew efficiency, situation awareness, and mission effectiveness. Integration of the flightcrew’s activities will provide error protection through human redundancy. Crew coordination is one of the most significant factors contributing toward mission success.

37.2.2 Pilot Responsibilities
The pilot is the aircraft commander and responsible for the safe and orderly flight of the aircraft and the well−beingof the crew. In the absence of direct orders from high erauthority cognizant of the mission, responsibility for starting or continuing a mission with respect to the weather, missionenvironment, or any other condition affecting the safety ofthe aircraft rests with the pilot.

37.2.3 Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) Responsibilities
The RIO constitutes an extension of the pilot’s observation facilities. By effective communication, the RIO should anticipate rather than await developments in flight. The RIO will be a safety backup for the pilot. In this capacity, the RIO shall offer constructive comments and recommendations, as necessary, throughout the mission in order to maintain the safest and most effective flight environment. The RIO will be responsible for the reading of appropriate checklists utilizing a challenge and reply system. The RIO will normally be responsible for all communications except in tactical situations as designated in squadron SOP.

37.2.4 Mission Commander
The mission commander may be either a pilot or a RIO.The mission commander shall be qualified in all phases of the assigned mission and be designated by the unit commanding officer. When the assigned mission commander is a RIO, they shall be responsible for all phases of the assigned mission except those aspects of safety of flight that are directly related to the physical control of the aircraft. The missioncommander shall direct a coordinated plan of action and shall be responsible for the effective execution of that plan.