safety pilot question

[Rachel]

Does a safety pilot need to have a current medical? I think I should
know the answer to this, but all I can find in the regs is the
"appropriate category and class ratings" part.

I'm thinking they don't need one (after all, a CFI doesn't need one in
some cases), but could someone clue me in on this one?

[Ron Natalie]

Rachel wrote:
> Does a safety pilot need to have a current medical?

Absolutely. They are a required pilot crew member. They need:
1. A current medical. 61.3(c)(3)
2. At least a private certificate with rating in category and class.
91.109(b)(1)

They do not necessarily need to be pilot in command (i.e., currency,
complex endorsements) unless they also need to serve in that capacity.


> I'm thinking they don't need one (after all, a CFI doesn't need one in
> some cases), but could someone clue me in on this one?

A CFI needs a medical if he is going to be the safety pilot. This is
perhaps the most onerous restriction on medical-less CFI's.

[Rachel]

Ron Natalie wrote:
> Rachel wrote:
>
>> Does a safety pilot need to have a current medical?
>
>
> Absolutely. They are a required pilot crew member. They need:
> 1. A current medical. 61.3(c)(3)
> 2. At least a private certificate with rating in category and class.
> 91.109(b)(1)
>
> They do not necessarily need to be pilot in command (i.e., currency,
> complex endorsements) unless they also need to serve in that capacity.
>
>
>> I'm thinking they don't need one (after all, a CFI doesn't need one in
>> some cases), but could someone clue me in on this one?
>
>
> A CFI needs a medical if he is going to be the safety pilot. This is
> perhaps the most onerous restriction on medical-less CFI's.

Oh, yeah, forgot about the whole "required crewmember" thing.