So a buddy (and fellow CFII) dropped this one on me today, and after discussing...nay...arguing it for about 20 minutes, I figured I'd better get a 2nd (or 48th) opinion.
Scenario:
Pilot is rated and 90-day current in the airplane on a VFR flight, and is looking to shoot a practice approach to prolong already present IFR currency. Does the safety pilot need 90-day (i.e. passenger-carrying) currency if there are people in the back seats?
I'm leaning towards yes, since shared PIC authority, etc. and it's never a bad idea to have the safety pilot be passenger carrying current. My buddy couldn't refute it, but I also couldn't find anything specific in the regs to back myself up.
Thoughts?
Scenario:
Pilot is rated and 90-day current in the airplane on a VFR flight, and is looking to shoot a practice approach to prolong already present IFR currency. Does the safety pilot need 90-day (i.e. passenger-carrying) currency if there are people in the back seats?
I'm leaning towards yes, since shared PIC authority, etc. and it's never a bad idea to have the safety pilot be passenger carrying current. My buddy couldn't refute it, but I also couldn't find anything specific in the regs to back myself up.
Thoughts?