Originally Posted by
joepilot
Even for a Boeing 747, the F/O does not need a type rating.
However, for any flights long enough to require a relief pilot, there must always be a type rated pilot on duty, so many airlines just type every F/O on long range aircraft to simplify manning.
Joe
This is true in the US. But for international operations, ICAO rules now require that the SIC also has a type rating...even to Canada. Most airlines have done a paperwork drill to issue SIC type ratings to all their FO's based their completion of initial SIC training.