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Pilot Training With a Passenger: What You Need to Know

Bringing a back-seat observer along on a dual instructional lesson can enhance the experience.

Passenger view from the back seat of a GA airplane [Shutterstock]
Passenger view from the back seat of a GA airplane [Shutterstock]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • It is legal to carry a passenger during a dual instructional flight because the CFI acts as the Pilot in Command, overriding restrictions on a student pilot's certificate.
  • This practice provides valuable learning opportunities for student pilots, including practical experience with weight and balance, understanding aircraft handling with varied loads, and developing effective communication skills.
  • When carrying passengers, it is crucial to ensure they are not a distraction, adjust maneuvers for their comfort, clearly explain flight operations to prevent apprehension, and always obtain the student's permission.
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Are you in pilot training? Do you think it would help you learn faster if you flew in the back seat of the aircraft and observed another learner taking training?

For some people, observation can be a very effective tool. But there are rules you need to respect.

Meg Godlewski

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.

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