"Julian Scarfe" wrote in message
...
[...] But the recent
introduction of a currency rule now prohibits the carrying of this
"passenger", forcing the pilot who wants to get back in 90-day currency to
fly solo (or find a CFI to accompany).

Not sure how the UK interprets the situation. However, in the US there's
nothing in the regulations to prohibit a pilot from allowing a passenger to
manipulate the controls. So, a "solution" is simply for the pilot not
current to bring along a current pilot, who acts as pilot in command while
the pilot not current flies the airplane.

In other words, it's the pilot not current who is the passenger, not the
"ride-along" pilot.

The only trick is finding a current pilot who is willing to act as pilot in
command without actually touching the controls. Many pilots (who are not
also instructors, anyway) would be uncomfortable doing so, and if they don't
have a good reason to be confident in the skills of the pilot not current,
it would be with good justification to be wary.

Pete