So Star Trek shows which depict helmsman as a job for low ranking crew members seem to be in line with Earth's nautical history and with the logic of interstellar travel. Star Trek shows like TOS which depict the job of helmsman as an important position filled by officers seem to be the odd ones.
In Star Trek, what is the difference between the navigator and the helmsman? Generally, the helmsman seems to be much more important, or at least does much more manual work. Memory Alpha's descript...
In modern merchant marines and navies the helmsman is usually an enlisted sailor. So I believe that Spock was probably the first officer and second in command in "Where No Man Has Gone Before".
Out of universe, what made the Star Trek: Voyager creators/producers develop the role of the Conn Officer? In TOS, the role was different (a helmsman and navigator) and on the the Enterprise-D,
The helmsman has the conn because he is physically manning the station and steering the ship. A watch officer may have the conn because while he doesn't man the station, he directs the helmsman, at the conn, where the ship is to be steered.
Captain - James T. Kirk, Ship's Captain Lt. Commander - Spock, First Officer, Science Officer Lieutenant - Hikaru Sulu, Helmsman, Navigation Officer Lieutenant - Nyota Uhura, Communications Officer Ensign - Pavel Checkov - Helmsman, Weapons Officer This would be the order of command in the event of an emergency with only the bridge crew available.
answered 109k In addition to answer 18, Geordi was chosen for the chief engineer role as having a blind helmsman was seen as a little "off" in hindsight – user23990 at 15:13 4