Safety Pilot Explained: How to Log Your Time and Stay Legal

A safety pilot has a key job: keeping the flight safe during simulated instrument training. Simple right? By handling specific tasks and staying sharp, the safety pilot supports the flying pilot and makes sure the flight meets FAA requirements. 

This guide will explore what being a safety pilot involves, how to log your time correctly, and what qualifications you’ll need.

Key Takeaways

• A safety pilot monitors the surroundings during simulated instrument flights.
• To be a safety pilot, you’ll need at least a PPL, proper ratings, and a current medical certificate.
• The safety pilot and pilot can log PIC when the pilot uses a view-limiting device for simulated instrument flight.
• You can act as a safety pilot with a PPL if you meet the legal requirements.

What Is a Safety Pilot and Why Are They Needed?

What does a safety pilot do, and why are they so important? If you’re asking these questions, you’re on the right track. For now, let’s break things down one step at a time.

A safety pilot is a licensed pilot who acts as an extra pair of eyes and ears in the cockpit. They’re there to ensure safety when another pilot’s vision is restricted, like when you’re in a simulated instrument flight.

Unless something goes wrong, it’s not their job to take over. Instead, they monitor the airspace, communicate with air traffic control if necessary, and step in to prevent potential hazards. They act in the capacity of a backup pilot. They’re always ready to assist while you focus on honing your skills.

When and Why Are Safety Pilots Required?

So, when will you need a safety pilot? The most common scenario is during simulated instrument flight.

During instrument flight training, you might need to wear a view-limiting device, like foggles, or a hood to practice flying without outside visual references. To stay safe, someone else must be on board to watch for traffic and help the pilot maintain situational awareness.

Simulated instrument flights are necessary for developing skills toward an instrument rating (IFR), but still come with their own risks. You won’t be able to see other aircraft, obstacles, or terrain. 

The objective of the safety pilot is to make sure nothing goes unnoticed.

FAA Regulations on Safety Pilots

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has clear rules about when a safety pilot is required. 14 CFR 91.109(c) says a safety pilot must be present during simulated instrument flight.

But who qualifies as a safety pilot? They must:

• Hold at least a private pilot certificate.
• Be rated for the category and class of the aircraft being flown.
• Have a current medical certificate to act as pilot-in-command.

In addition to meeting these requirements, the aircraft must be equipped with dual controls or a mechanism allowing the safety pilot to take over if needed. 

Legal Requirements for a Safety Pilot

Are you thinking about becoming a safety pilot? It can be a great way to build time towards higher ratings. If you want to be someone’s safety pilot, you’ll need to make sure you fit the qualifications. 

Let’s take a closer look at the requirements so you can make sure you’re exercising your duties legally.

Certificates and Ratings Needed

First and foremost, you’ll need to hold at least a private pilot certificate. This proves you have the fundamental training and skills to operate an aircraft safely.

In addition, you must be rated for the category and class of the aircraft being flown. For example, if the flight takes place in a single-engine land airplane, you need a corresponding rating on your pilot certificate.

The reason? As a safety pilot, you’re expected to take control if needed, so you must be familiar with the aircraft’s operations.

Depending on the aircraft’s specifications, you might also need a specific endorsement for complex or high-performance aircraft.

Medical Requirements

Do safety pilots need a medical certificate? The short answer is yes. If you’re acting as a required crewmember, FAA regulations under 14 CFR 61.23 mandate a valid medical certificate.

The logic is simple: as a safety pilot, you’re considered a “required flight crewmember” when assisting during simulated instrument flights. 

Since you may need to take over the controls, you must meet the FAA’s medical standards to make sure you’re physically capable.

• If not acting as PIC, you’ll need at least a third-class medical certificate, though a higher-class medical may be required for other roles in aviation.
• If the safety pilot is also acting as PIC, then BasicMed is allowed.

Flight Operation Requirements

14 CFR 91.109 also clearly spells out how to properly operate an aircraft with a safety pilot. You need to have a clear view ahead and to each side of the aircraft. If your visibility is limited, another qualified person must be onboard to help you monitor your surroundings.

The aircraft must also have fully functioning dual controls so you can take over if necessary. 

But what if it has a single throwover control wheel instead? You can still go ahead with the flight. In this case, you have to be sure the flight can be conducted safely. 

If the flight is part of training for a solo cross-country endorsement under 14 CFR 61.93, you must hold at least a private pilot certificate with the appropriate category and class ratings. Just make sure that you meet the additional requirements in 14 CFR 61.412.

Responsibilities of a Safety Pilot

What exactly does a safety pilot do during a flight? Their responsibilities are clearly defined to ensure safe operations.

• Traffic scanning: The primary job is to watch for other aircraft, obstacles, or terrain hazards, while the pilot under the hood focuses solely on instrument procedures.
• Communicating: If necessary, the safety pilot can assist with radio communications, especially in busy airspace. This is so the training pilot isn’t overwhelmed during practice sessions.
• Takeover capability: The safety pilot must always be ready to assume control of the aircraft if the situation demands it. This means staying alert and intervening at a moment’s notice.
• Maintaining compliance: As a required crewmember, the safety pilot must keep the flight in compliance with FAA regulations, including those governing simulated instrument training.

How to Log Time as a Safety Pilot

The rules around logging flight time can be confusing, but it all gets straightforward once you understand them. Let’s dive into the specifics to make sure your logbook stays accurate.

As a safety pilot, you can log time as a Pilot in Command (PIC) under certain conditions. The FAA outlines these rules in 14 CFR 61.51.

Logging PIC Time

You can log time as pilot-in-command if acting as the PIC during a simulated instrument flight. Just make sure that you’re also qualified to act as PIC of the aircraft. 

Does it mean you have to be the one physically manipulating the controls? No. Instead, the log entry is justified by your role as acting as the pilot in command and being qualified to do so.

So, how can you determine who gets to log PIC time?

• The pilot flying under foggles: The pilot wearing foggles and actively manipulating the controls can log PIC time if:
  • They are rated in the category and class of the aircraft being flown.
  • Are acting as PIC for the flight.
• The safety pilot: The safety pilot can also log PIC time only during  the time they are assisting the PIC during a simulated instrument flight.
  
  This is permitted as required by FAR 91.109(b).
  
  They cannot log PIC times during the portions of the flight where the pilot removes their view-limiting device, such as during take-offs and landings.

But for the safety pilot to log PIC time, the following conditions must be met:

• They must hold at least a private pilot certificate with a category and class rating appropriate to the aircraft being flown.
• The flight must be conducted in VFR (Visual Flight Rules) conditions, as a safety pilot is insufficient for IFR conditions unless appropriately rated and the flight is conducted under IFR.
• If the flight is conducted under IFR, the safety pilot must be appropriately rated and meet IFR currency requirements to act as PIC.
• If the foggled pilot is IFR-rated and acting as PIC, the safety pilot does not need to be IFR-rated.

Logging SIC Time

On the other hand, you can log second-in-command if you meet the requirements to serve as a required crew member.

For example, if the flying pilot is acting as PIC, you can log SIC if you are flying under FAR Part 135 under an operation that requires two pilots.

If this is the case, then the safety pilot would be a required role by regulation FAR 91.109 (b). This would let the safety pilot log the time as SIC as per FAR 61.51(f)(2).

Sample Logbook Entries

How will that look in your logbook? Here are examples to guide you.

Suppose you and another pilot practice simulated instrument approaches in a Cessna 172. You’re the safety pilot and acting PIC. Your log entry might look like this:

• Date: 01/10/2025
• Aircraft Type: C172
• Total Time: 2.0 hours
• PIC: 1.7 hours
• Remarks: “Safety pilot for simulated instrument flight.”

Can a Private Pilot Act as a Safety Pilot?

The answer is yes—but it comes with certain limitations. Let’s break it down so you know exactly what’s allowed and when.

Eligibility of Private Pilots to Act as Safety Pilots

Private pilots are eligible to act as safety pilots as long as they meet certain criteria. To qualify, you also have to:

• Be current and rated for the category and class of the aircraft being flown.
• Possess a valid medical certificate:
  • A third-class medical or higher is required if logging flight time.
  • If the safety pilot is not logging time, BasicMed may be used.

Additional Considerations

Beyond holding a private pilot certificate, there are some considerations that get overlooked. For instance, currency requirements matter. 

If you are acting as pilot in command or carrying passengers, you must meet the FAA’s recent flight experience rules under 14 CFR 61.57. This includes the completion of three takeoffs and landings to a full stop, if the aircraft is tailwheel in the preceding 90 days in the same category and class of aircraft.

Without this, you cannot act as PIC during the flight.

In most general aviation settings, you’re allowed to act as a safety pilot with a PPL. But are you familiar with the operating characteristics of your aircraft? If the aircraft is equipped with advanced avionics, you have to ensure you’re comfortable and capable in that environment.

There are also a few scenarios where you can’t log safety pilot time:

• If you lack the appropriate category and class rating, you cannot serve as a safety pilot or log time. For example, a single-engine-rated pilot cannot act as a safety pilot in a multi-engine aircraft.
• A safety pilot must hold at least a third-class medical if logging flight time as a required crewmember(14 CFR 61.3(c)) However, if the safety pilot is not logging time, they may act with just BasicMed.
• If the pilot flying does not use a view-limiting device, your role as a safety pilot is unnecessary. So, no safety pilot time can be logged in this capacity.

For private pilots, acting as a safety pilot is a fantastic way to gain experience and support fellow pilots during training. Just be sure you’re always within the bounds of FAA regulations to avoid getting in trouble.

FAQs About Safety Pilots

Does a Safety Pilot Count as a Passenger?

No, a safety pilot is not considered a passenger. Under 14 CFR 91.109(b), a safety pilot is classified as a required crewmember during simulated instrument flight. 

Since their presence is necessary for flight safety, they are subject to the same rules as required crew members.

Can Two Pilots Log Time During the Same Flight?

Yes, two pilots can log time during the same flight, but only under specific conditions. The safety pilot can log time as Pilot in Command (PIC) if they are acting as the PIC or acting as the “eyes and ears” while the pilot is using a view-limiting device. The pilot under the hood(foggles) can log PIC if they are acting as PIC.

The safety pilot may log Second in Command (SIC) time, as outlined in 14 CFR 61.51, if they meet the requirements to be a required crewmember. 

Meanwhile, the pilot flying the aircraft can log the time they spend operating the controls as total time, and can log PIC time if acting as PIC.

Can a Safety Pilot Log Instrument Time?

No, a safety pilot cannot log instrument time because they are not flying by reference to instruments.

Instrument time is strictly reserved for the pilot actually flying the aircraft under simulated or actual instrument conditions.

Do Safety Pilots Need a Medical Certificate?

Yes, safety pilots must hold at least BasicMed or a third-class medical certificate to act as a required crewmembers. This is because they need to be physically and medically fit to take control of the aircraft if the situation demands it. 

Without a valid medical certificate, a pilot cannot legally act as a safety pilot, even if they meet all other requirements.

What Happens if the Aircraft Doesn’t Have Dual Controls?

An aircraft used for simulated instrument training must have dual controls so the instructor or safety pilot can take over if needed. 

However, 14 CFR 91.109 says that simulated instrument training can be done in an airplane with a single throwover control wheel for the elevator and ailerons instead of dual controls for those controls.

What Are the Safety Pilot’s Responsibilities?

A safety pilot’s primary duty is to maintain situational awareness during simulated instrument flight. This includes:

• Keeping an eye out for other aircraft to avoid potential collisions
• Monitoring the flight to make sure it adheres to FAA regulations and safety standards.
• Being ready to assume the controls if the pilot under the hood cannot safely operate the aircraft.

How Can a Safety Pilot Stay Compliant with FAA Regulations?

To be a safety pilot, you need at least a private pilot certificate with the right category and class ratings.

For simulated instrument flight, if the pilot’s visibility is limited, a qualified safety pilot must assist. 

The aircraft must have dual controls, but if it has a throwover control wheel, the flight can continue if it’s safe and the flying pilot has a private pilot certificate with the right ratings.

Can Safety Pilots Log Time in Multi-Crew Scenarios?

Yes, but only if the flight requires more than one crew member by regulation or type certification. In these cases, logging SIC time is allowed as long as the pilot meets the qualifications outlined in FAR 61.51(f)(2).

Conclusion

Being a safety pilot is a chance to sharpen your skills and gain valuable flight experience. You’ll need to stay alert, understand your responsibilities, and support your fellow pilot during training. 

As a safety pilot, your goal is to stay prepared and following the rules. Do that and you’ll make every flight a comfortable learning experience for both yourself and the pilot flying.