Chief conn officer

The Chief Conn Officer, or Chief Flight Controller, was a senior position for Starfleet officers onboard starships. Conn officers were assigned the duty of piloting the vessel. The chief conn officer oversaw the team of flight controllers and served as primary navigator on the starship.

Duties & Functions
In the early years of Starfleet, the positions of Navigator and Helmsman were held by two different individuals, but by the 2360s Federation starships had become sufficiently automated to allow one highly trained officer to carry out both duties as the conn officer. Although the chief conn officer served as the main navigator.

The Chief conn officer was also the ship's chief pilot of shuttles and was responsible for conducting the training and certification of all shuttle pilots aboard ship. As needed, the officer coordinated with the Chief operations officer with regards to hangar deck operations. In combat, conn officers carried out all evasive and tactical maneuvering of the starship. The chief conn officer worked with the Chief tactical officer to develop and train conn and tactical officers on combat maneuvers tailored toward their specific starship. The conn officer was often given weapons-release authority to better coordinate intricate maneuvers with the firing of offensive systems.

On ships capable of landing, the chief conn officer oversaw Condition Blue and performed the landing and subsequent lift-off of the ship from a planetary surfaces.

Ranks
Because of the importance of the position and the high level of piloting experience required, the chief conn officer was usually occupied by an officer with the minimum rank of Lieutenant.