Readback: November 2018

Mr. Bencini-Tibos excellent article, Regulation Fine Points in July might possibly leave the reader thinking that the safety pilot could log time when the flying pilot was not under the hood. FAA Office of Chief Counsel makes it clear in a legal interpretation on this matter dated June 22, 2009 to Jeff Gebhart, that the safety pilot can log only that time that the flying pilot is under the hood. Since the flight is made in an aircraft that does not require a SIC the safety pilot was not a required crew-member during the time the other pilot did not have the hood on, so the safety pilot does not get to log anything during that portion of the flight.

Key Takeaways:

• FAA regulations for safety pilots are clarified, stating that loggable time is strictly limited to when the flying pilot is actively "under the hood" for instrument flight.
• Discussions on weather avoidance suggest a nuanced approach, advising pilots to use multiple indicators (e.g., radar gradients, visual cues) to assess storm severity, although maintaining the conservative 20-25 mile rule if unsure.
• The magazine is praised for its timely and relevant articles that significantly enhance IFR flying skills, alongside pilot accounts of positive experiences with efficient U.S. and Canadian ATC for IFR flights and the overall advantages of general aviation in the U.S.

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