Who is responsible for control of the air-bill papers?

• A. Co-pilot
• B. Ground crew
• C. Dispatcher
• D. Pilot

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is accountability for flight paperwork. The air-waybill represents the contract of carriage for the cargo and must be controlled by the person in command of the aircraft. The pilot in command is responsible for flight operations and for ensuring all required documentation is accurate, complete, and aboard the aircraft. He or she keeps the master air waybill with the shipment, verifies it against the actual cargo, and can present it to authorities if needed. The co-pilot can assist, but ultimate responsibility rests with the pilot in command. Ground crews and dispatchers handle paperwork on the ground, but they do not hold control during flight.