Safety pilot

A safety pilot is a rated pilot who helps maintain visual separation from other aircraft, clouds, and terrain while another pilot is wearing view limiting devices for the purposes of simulating instrument conditions.

The Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) require that a pilot who possesses an instrument rating complete at least six instrument approaches, practice holding procedures, and practice intercepting and tracking courses with the use of navigation systems under simulated or actual Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) every six months to be instrument current. While flying in actual IMC the pilots must be properly rated and follow Instrument Flight Rules.

IMC exists when weather conditions are below those prescribed for Visual Flight Rules (VFR). VFR minimums are covered under FAR Part 91.155. Typically, IMC means you can not maintain adequate separation from clouds or low in-flight visibility exists. Simulated IMC conditions are accomplished by a pilot wearing a view limiting device while operating the controls of an aircraft. The most common view limiting devices are plastic visor hoods and foggles. Both devices block seeing outside the cockpit while the wearer's head is in a normal forward-facing position. Plastic visors fold over the crown of the pilot's head while foggles are glasses that only allow the bottom portion of the lenses to be transparent.

When a pilot elects to train under the hood, two options are available. The first is to fly with a Certificated Flight Instructor - Instrument (CFII) who sits in the right seat and watches for aircraft, rising terrain, and other dangers. CFIIs typically charge between $30 and $60 per hour. The other option is to fly with a safety pilot.

The safety pilot option is a very popular among general aviation pilots since it is the lesser expensive of the two options. Either pilot can potentially log the time as pilot-in-command (PIC) and an agreement of who is acting as Pilot In Command should be discussed before the flight occurs. The pilot wearing the foggles may log the time on the basis that he is rated in the airplane, and is the sole manipulator of the controls. The safety pilot can log PIC time only if he is the agreed upon acting Pilot In Command for the flight.

It is important to note that both pilots must agree prior to flight which pilot is the Pilot In Command (PIC). The designated Pilot In Command is responsible for the safe operation of the aircraft and is liable for any mishaps. If the pilot operating the controls of the aircraft is designated the PIC, then the safety pilot cannot log PIC time. If the safety pilot is not the acting Pilot In Command, he can, however, log the time as Second-In-Command.

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