PIC Currency

[A-aron]

Is it possible to regain PIC currency by doing 3 take offs and landings and 2IC? Like if two private pilots go flying and only one is current, can the other one do 3 take offs and landings and become current as long as he doesn't log it as PIC?

[eagle5]

I'm guessing as soon as the non current pilot takes the controls he becomes the PIC, even if he doesn't log it, which makes the other pp a passenger, which he cannot have, so no.

[bqmassey]

I'm assuming we're talking about the U.S. here.

 

You should go review 14CFR 61.51 and 61.57. The answers are there.

 

You are required to log anything that is used to meet currency requirements. No, you can not magically create a SIC for an aircraft or operation that doesn't require two pilots.

 

HOWEVER

 

In the scenario you described above, the non-current pilot CAN log the landings as long as he is 'sole manipulator of the controls'. He doesn't need to be the acting PIC to log those landings. He even can log it as PIC if he has the appropriate category/class/type ratings.

 

Just keep in mind that—with the exception of a few specific, but irrelevant, situations—the two pilots can not log PIC simultaneously. So, the non-current pilot could log the PIC time when he is 'sole manipulator', even though he is not the acting PIC. The current pilot, who is the acting PIC the whole flight, could log the rest.

[A-aron]

Ok thanks, I actually found some FAA documentation that helps answer it. Its a different scenario, but when it breaks down to it, it really is the same thing.

 

http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/agc/pol_adjudication/agc200/interpretations/data/interps/2009/herman%20-%20(2009)%20legal%20interpretation.pdf

[eagle5]

Well now I'm confused because the only currency I know of that can be renewed by 3 takeoffs/landings is pax currency, and two private pilots flying together cannot both renew it if one is not pax current. To renew PIC privileges requires a flight review. So what are you talking about?

[aeroscout]

I'm guessing as soon as the non current pilot takes the controls he becomes the PIC, even if he doesn't log it, which makes the other pp a passenger, which he cannot have, so no.

Even though I read the legal interpretation from below (your quoted post), it didn't address the carrying of passengers, so I am leaning towards your interpretation.

I hate any FAR that requires interpretation.

 

 

edit:( )

Edited July 15, 2014 by aeroscout

[eagle5]

Upon further reflection...

 

The private pilot who is current can act as PIC while carrying pax, but when the non current private pilot takes the controls he's no longer a pax. So can the current pp still act as PIC while the non current pp does 3 takeoff/landings to get current? I don't think so and that letter seems to cover something like getting a PIC endorsement (like logging the 10 dual hours needed for the R44 as PIC).

 

Awh f*ckit I really don't know!

Edited July 15, 2014 by eagle5

[bqmassey]

two private pilots flying together cannot both renew it if one is not pax current.

 

What regulation leads you to this conclusion?

 

I hate any FAR that requires interpretation.

 

I feel the same, but there's really not much interpretation necessary. The rules about what you have to do to act as PIC and what you have to do to log PIC are in black and white.

 

So can the current pp still act as PIC while the non current pp does 3 takeoff/landings to get current? I don't think so

 

Yes, he can. That's almost exactly what I wrote in the first post!

 

Consider opening up your FAR/AIM and taking a look.

[eagle5]

It seems odd that a private pilot would be considered the acting pic while not on the controls? Anyway I guess that means that if I the non current non acting pic pp does something wrong or has an accident while doing my three takeoffs/landings its the other pp the one acting as pic they go after?

[eagle5]

Here's a better one for ya.

 

Both private pilots are current but only one is night current. The pp who is day only current is on the controls and its 59 minutes after sunset. So in one minute the day only current pp can still be the one on the controls but he has to hand over the pic responsibilities and authority to the night current pp...?

[bqmassey]

It seems odd that a private pilot would be considered the acting pic while not on the controls?

 

Happens all the time. People let their friends, kids, family members, etc take the controls. Thats completely legal (as long something specific doesn't prohibit it, like SFAR 73, Part 135). The acting PIC is still responsible for the flight.

 

Both private pilots are current but only one is night current. The pp who is day only current is on the controls and its 59 minutes after sunset. So in one minute the day only current pp can still be the one on the controls but he has to hand over the pic responsibilities and authority to the night current pp...?

 

Yep.

[A-aron]

Well I didn't become current, but I was at least able to get 4 hours in an Astar, and log 1 hour of it at no cost to me. Very nice bird too, complete glass cockpit and all.