How much control does a co-pilot have in a combat helicopter?

Factual Questions
1

Specifically in the Mi-24 Hind, but I suppose it would be relevant to any ‘tiered’ two-person combat helicopter like the Apache or Eurocopter.

Strange question but I’m writing a book (not Shakespere but what I hope is a fun and interesting read) where the main characters are making their escaped in a hijacked Hind but are bounced shortly after taking off with the pilot being killed forcing the co-pilot to take control and fight their way out.

The co-pilot has rudimentary flight controls and access to the weapons systems I’m sure but exactly how much? Its obviously designed for two people but could a single person fly and fight in it?

Its a silly action book but I like to keep things as accurate and plausible as possible!

If it flat-out can’t be done its not going in the book.

In addition is there any access between the crew compartment and the bay in the back in a Mi-24?

Thanks!

2

I can start this off with a WAG but we have actual helicopter pilots here that can chime in later. I fly small airplanes. Almost all modern airplanes have complete control authority from both the left and the right seat. They have to for training purposes or if something happens to the pilot in the left seat. I cannot imagine things would be any different in a helicopter let alone a military one. Backup is essential.

3

Paging RandMcNalley to GQ…

4

Here’s some apparently good info on Apache’s specifically, mostly down near the very bottom …
www.deej.com.au/rlapache.htm

The indication is the second crewmember is called a “copilot/gunner”. That person could fly the helo in a pinch, but would be hard pressed to do so & also fight the aircraft. Meanwhile, the pilot (in the back seat), doesn’t really have any input to the weapons beyond point & shoot.
Here’s what I do know about though … The corresponding concepts in USN & USAF aircraft.

In USAF two-crew attack aircraft, e.g. F-4, F-111, F-15E, there is one pilot & one “Weapons Systems Operator” The WSO is not a rated pilot, but rather a navigator. He (or she now) has a small amount of flying skill & training, but probably could not sucessfully fly the airplane through a normal flight, much less execute a mission. The WSO’s cockpit however, is equipped with throttles, control stick, rudder pedals & a complete, if miniature, set of flight instruments. So it’s completely possible to fly the aircraft from the WSO’s (aft) cockpit, provided the occupant knows how.

In the USN, in the A-3, A-5, A-6, F-4, F-14, etc., the second crewperson is also not a pilot, but the USN equivalent of the USAF navigator, called a “Naval Flight Officer”.

The BIG difference is that the USN aircraft do NOT have any flight controls in the NFO cockpit. No stick, no throttles, no rudder pedals. (S)He is 100% along for the ride. It’s 100% impossible for the back-seater to do anything beyond control the weapons and eject. Due to the side-by-side seating of the A-6, the NFO can strain to reach the pilot’s stick, but not throttles or pedals. So (s)he could manuever the aircraft a little bit, but not really control it very well or for very long. Without a functioning pilot, it’s time to jump out.

There are lots of advantages to leaving the flight controls out of the weapons operator’s cockpit. It sems teh AH-64 at least, has at least rudimentary flight controls for the copilot/gunner.