View Limiting Device Required

[rob]

I asked this on the Safety pilot thread, but it seems to have fallen by the wayside. Several people over there mentioned that a safety pilot can not log the time unless the pilot is under the hood or using a view limiting device. I can't find it in the regs.

Where is it written that a view limiting device is required for simulated instrument flight?

[galt1074]

That's an excellent question. CFR 91-109 talks abou simulated instrument flight but it doesn't specifically call out vision limiting devices. I'll look around and see what I can find. 61-57 says if you are going to practice instrument approaches for the purpose of currency you have to use a view limiting device...so I guess if you put the two together you need a safety pilot if you are going to use a view limiting device to practice instrument approaches for the purposes of currency. My question over there was how I as the safety pilot should actually log that time...there is obviously some debate so I'm taking what the local experts have said and I'm going to do some research as well.

Greg

[jetdriven]

there is logging PIC and acting as PIC.  not necessarily the same.   http://www.boundvortex.com/loggingpic.htm

 

depending on how you set it up, the safety pilot logs SIC or PIC.

 

here is some more info on logging PIC:  http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCMQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.faa.gov%2Fabout%2Foffice_org%2Fheadquarters_offices%2Fagc%2Fpol_adjudication%2Fagc200%2Finterpretations%2Fdata%2Finterps%2F2009%2FHerman.pdf&ei=QA8yT6aQAoaatweG4LGABw&usg=AFQjCNFaXhSDvclUJphoTP6yhaT51S729g

[danb35]

A safety pilot is only required under "simulated instrument conditions" (FAR 91.109©), and it's the requirement for more than one pilot that triggers the safety pilot's ability to log as PIC, if other requirements are met (FAR 61.51(e)(1)(iii)).

FAR 61.45(d) requires a view-limiting device for a checkride under the caption of "simulated instrument flight equipment", but that and 61.57©(1) are the only things I'm finding directly connecting the two.

[Cruiser]

Sec. 61.57 — Recent flight experience: Pilot in command

© Instrument experience. Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, a person may act as pilot in command under IFR or weather conditions less than the minimums prescribed for VFR only if:

(1) Use of an airplane, powered-lift, helicopter, or airship for maintaining instrument experience. Within the 6 calendar months preceding the month of the flight, that person performed and logged at least the following tasks and iterations in an airplane, powered-lift, helicopter, or airship, as appropriate, for the instrument rating privileges to be maintained in actual weather conditions, or under simulated conditions using a view-limiting device that involves having performed the following—

[rob]

AAh, good find. The latest version is dated 12/2011 and includes the "view-limiting device" wording.

Earlier versions read:

© Instrument experience. Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, no person may act as pilot in command under IFR or in weather conditions less than the minimums prescribed for VFR, unless within the preceding 6 calendar months, that person has:
(1) For the purpose of obtaining instrument experience in an aircraft (other than a glider), performed and logged under actual or simulated instrument conditions, either in flight in the appropriate category of aircraft for the instrument privileges sought or in a flight simulator or flight training device that is representative of the aircraft category for the instrument privileges sought--