Originally Posted by
EXDAC
Agree on commercial training. However, you can't legally fly "under the hood" in USA unless the safety pilot (or instructor) is qualified to act as PIC and that requires a medical or basic med. Simulated instuments requires more than a "stiff" in the other seat.
Not quite accurate:
The safety pilot must have a Private Certificate (with Category & Class). 91.109 (c) - a medical certificate is not mentioned.
Also the Safety Pilot might be the SIC, not necessarily the PIC.
This is how Instructors can fly without a medical certificate under FAA regulations.