The article, “Safety Pilot Rules” (March 2020 IFR), talked about the ins and outs of safety pilot roles, qualifications, responsibilities, and logging. Under 14 C.F.R. §91.109(c) safety pilots are considered required crewmembers. The minimum requirements for acting as a safety pilot are (1) a private pilot or higher certificate, (2) the applicable aircraft category and class ratings, and (3) an appropriate current medical certificate.
Safety pilots could, but need not, be acting as the pilot in command (PIC) of the flight in which they are required crewmembers. Those who act as PIC must, as usual, meet all PIC requirements, including currency and appropriate endorsements.
