What should a captain do throughout a flight?

• A. Set the tone, communicate, cross-check, and keep the crew involved
• B. Delegate all decisions to the FO
• C. Remain silent to reduce chatter
• D. Only monitor instruments

Answer: (A)

Leadership and crew resource management are at the heart of flying safely. The captain should actively guide the team throughout the flight: set the tone, communicate the plan and any changes clearly, assign roles, and keep everyone involved. Clear, ongoing communication helps the crew share a common understanding of the flight phase, weather, fuel, system status, and contingencies, reducing the chance of miscommunication. Cross-checking instrument indications, automation actions, and crew observations keeps errors from slipping through and maintains a shared mental model. Involving the crew promotes situational awareness, invites input from the FO and others, and supports timely, well-considered decisions, while still leaving accountability with the captain. Delegating all decisions removes safety oversight; silent monitoring or minimizing chatter breaks the flow of information and degrades safety culture. So the best approach is to set the tone, communicate, cross-check, and keep the crew involved.