Thanks fo the replies:
DFC has this is right IMHO. I am happy to fly as a passenger with a few (very select few) pilots who I trust....For the rest I make it clear that I am the PIC and all in flight decisions will be either made directly by me or take place after I have given my concurence. Furthermore if I at any time I declare "I have control" they agree they will instantly and without question hand control over to me. If they are unhappy with these conditions I will respectfully but firmly tell them I am not the right person to fly with them.
That is the set of rules I use. Client does briefings, flightplans, and makes all in flight decisions, as if I was not there. I only answer her questions if she is not sure about something, suggest better solutions and give advice if I can see she is going to get into trouble or fall behind the aircraft, and generally mentor her confidence and judgement. She is licenced to undertake the flights, but could not do them if I was not there as she is not yet experienced or competent enough for European IFR. I am not instructing, as she has ME/IR and I am not CRI or IRI, but she cedes control to me if I order it.
So let me get this straight. You've been happy to take-off, fly IFR, and approach (potentially) to IFR minima with no agreement between the two of you as to who is PIC? Astonishing!
I am very comfortable with the arrangement.
Let's say that you are PIC and the tech log signature is correct. Fine. Why then as PIC did you falsely tell ATC that someone else was PIC?
Let's say that the client is PIC and the FPL is correct. In that case I would say that your signing the tech log has no effect. You are not entitled to sign the tech log and it may as well have not been signed at all. There is no record of the PIC having accepted the aircraft etc etc.
Thanks - that is what I am seeking to clarify here. I would think that the techlog (which is signed) would take precedence over the flightplan, but if, as you suggest, there is a legal linkage between the two then I will insist that both are in the same name on future flights.