61.57 Recent flight experience: Pilot in command

"Julian Scarfe" wrote in message
...
| A few years ago, as part of alignment with the European JAA requirements,
| the UK introduced a requirement that is worded almost identically to
61.57,
| which requires three t/os and landings in the last 90 days to carry
| passengers.
|
| Before this rule came into effect, UK pilots who hadn't flown for some
| considerable time would often take along another non-instructor pilot, for
| example, a co-owner, in the right seat. It made more sense to fly
| accompanied by someone who was current than to fly solo. 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).
|
| Is this also the way 61.57 is interpreted by the FAA?

No. The regulation says that you may not act as pilot in command. Another
pilot may act as pilot in command while you do your takeoffs and landings
for currency.

"Julian Scarfe" wrote in message ...


Is this also the way 61.57 is interpreted by the FAA?


I don't think so. There are two issues.

First, note that 61.57 is not a requirement on pilots in general, only
on the pilot in command. Therefore, a qualified pilot can be in command
in the right seat while the guy in the left is shooting his landings.

Second, the history of the FAA is that if you put a pilot in a control seat,
he's a pilot, not a passenger. Certainly the FAA has gone after right
seat guys who had no apparent flight role other than occupying an otherwise
empty seat.