Who qualifies as a crewmember on an aircraft?

A crewmember on an aircraft is specifically a person who has been assigned certain responsibilities and duties during the flight. This definition typically includes pilots, flight attendants, and any other personnel whose role contributes to the operation and safety of the aircraft while it is in flight. Being assigned a duty means the individual has specific functions or tasks they are responsible for, which are vital for ensuring that the flight operates smoothly and safely.

In contrast, individuals like passengers who volunteer for assistance, manufacturers present on board, or airport staff accompanying the flight do not hold official crewmember status unless they have designated duties assigned to them for that flight. Passengers, while they may assist in emergency situations, are not part of the operational crew unless explicitly defined as such beforehand. Similarly, airport staff may have roles related to the operation of the aircraft but are not designated crewmembers unless they have a specific duty during the flight. Therefore, the clarity of the role and assignment of responsibility is what distinguishes a crewmember from others present on the aircraft.