pilot-in-command question...

On Sun, 22 Aug 2004 03:41:15 GMT, "Tom Kreyche" wrote:

After looking online and in the FARs, I still can't see a definite answer for the following question:

Let's say two pilots are flying together in an aircraft, and the aircraft doesn't require more than one pilot and it's not a commercial aircraft. If the pilots alternate flying the aircraft by handing off the controls to the other person, do they also alternate pilot-in-command responsibilites?

As are many, you are confused because of FAA terminology.

What you call PIC "responsibilities" is defined in 14 CFR 1.1:

===========================================
Pilot in command means the person who:

(1) Has final authority and responsibility for the operation and safety of
the flight;

(2) Has been designated as pilot in command before or during the flight;
and

(3) Holds the appropriate category, class, and type rating, if appropriate,
for the conduct of the flight.
=========================================

As you can see, the definition has absolutely nothing to do with who is, as
you put it, "flying the aircraft" or manipulating the controls.

What is confusing is that, for the kind of non-commercial flying that most
of us are doing, *being* PIC per the definition in 1.1 has almost nothing
to do with whether or not one is permitted to *log* PIC time under the
provisions of 14 CFR 61.51:

(with the exception of a flight where two pilots are required by either the
aircraft type certificate or the regulations under which the flight is
being conducted. For most of us, that means the safety pilot regulation)

===============================
(e) Logging pilot-in-command flight time. (1) A recreational, private, or
commercial pilot may log pilot-in- command time only for that flight time
during which that person—

(i) Is the sole manipulator of the controls of an aircraft for which the
pilot is rated;

(ii) Is the sole occupant of the aircraft; or

(iii) Except for a recreational pilot, is acting as pilot in command of an
aircraft on which more than one pilot is required under the type
certification of the aircraft or the regulations under which the flight is
conducted.

==================================

This concept that ACTING as PIC is different from the right to LOG time as
PIC seems bizarre, but it is grounded in the regulations and supported by
multiple legal interpretations written by the FAA Chief Counsel.


--ron