pilot-in-command question...
After looking online and in the FARs, I still can't see a definite answer for the following question:
Let's say two pilots are flying together in an aircraft, and the aircraft doesn't require more than one pilot and it's not a commercial aircraft. If the pilots alternate flying the aircraft by handing off the controls to the other person, do they also alternate pilot-in-command responsibilites?
The FAR/AIM defines PIC as: 1) has final authority and responsibility for the operation and safety of the flight, 2) has been designated as pilot in command before or during the flight.
Part 61.51(c) says a person can only log pilot-in-command time while being "the sole manipulator of the controls."
Obviously it's OK to hand over PIC during the flight. It also seems that by definition if you hand off the controls to the other person, whether you're reading a map or taking a nap--you just handed over PIC responsibility and you can't log that time. Things get a lot more complicated when the aircraft requires more than one pilot, but I'm not talking about that and I'm not talking about instructors either.
On a slightly different topic, is it legal by FAA standards to let a passenger take the controls of an aircraft?
thanks, Tom Kreyche N21TK
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