I had another "first" yesterday: I acted as Safety Pilot for an IFR rated pilot (one of the other CAP members) practicing IFR procedures.
Riding as safety pilot has to be one of the best deals going. Basically, my job was to sit in the right seat and look out for other aircraft while the guy doing the flying (and all the real work) was under the hood. So, in effect, I got to sightsee, learn about IFR procedures and observe a proficient IFR pilot actually performing IFR procedures - all for free! Oh, and I even got to log the time!
Turns out, per FAA rules, in this particular situation, the safety pilot is considered a required crew member, and as such, is eligible to log the time. In our circumstance, we decided that the guy doing the flying would be acting as Pilot In Command, so I was only able to log the time as Second In Command. This was fine by me, as I had never flown with this person before, so I wouldn't have been comfortable taking the responsibility of being the PIC anyway, given that had we agreed that I would act as PIC, then I would have been liable for anything the guy flying did wrong - even something like busting airspace or an assigned altitude or course.
In the future, I may choose to accept the responsibility of acting as PIC, as this would be a good way to build PIC time, which I need to be able to become a CAP Mission Pilot or Cadet Orientation Pilot. I believe I would feel comfortable doing this with the guy I flew with yesterday, as well as with a number of the other pilots I have flown with in the squadron. Even if I don't act as PIC, it will still allow me to build my time in general, which can be helpful for other things I might want to do. I guess I'd better get the word out that I am available...
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Posted by David at October 18, 2007 12:23 PM