Safety Pilot Concerns

Staying current for IFR—with six approaches, some holding and course interceptions within the preceding six months—isn’t that hard for the active instrument pilot. When you enter engine replacements in your logbook instead of hours, you probably don’t need much in the way of practice. But the guy or gal who’s lucky to get their wings wet in some actual once or twice a year has a different challenge. Somewhere in the middle between the two extremes is where most instrument-rated pilots find themselves, of course. Regardless, even the ace of the base needs to go out occasionally and practice a few things, if for no other reason than to get through the next check ride.

Key Takeaways:

• Instrument pilots, especially those flying infrequently, benefit from practicing with a safety pilot to maintain currency and proficiency.
• Choosing a safety pilot requires selecting someone legally qualified, current in the aircraft, familiar with the local area, and ideally known to the trainee, with the trainee typically serving as pilot-in-command.
• A thorough preflight briefing is crucial to define roles, agree on procedures for exchanging controls, manage communication and traffic calls, and establish the trainee's specific focus areas.
• Post-flight debriefing is essential for both pilots to review the flight, critique performance, discuss decision-making, and identify areas for future improvement.

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