Pace,
For private flying that may be the case but for flying under an AOC under EU OPS or the ANO that person is called a copilot and must be properly qualified.
Bear in mind there is nothing to prevent a SPA being operated multi-crew (i.e. captain and copilot)for AOC flying, providing suitable procedures are in the Ops manual; this makes it possible to have a properly qualified pilot in the other seat. Also bear in mind that the exemption under Appendix 1 to OPS 1.005 (a) Subpara 4 details that passengers may be allowed in a pilot seat but also states that they may not be allowed to distract or interfere with the pilot which would prevent him interacting with the pilot "when the going gets tough".
Last edited by Don Coyote; 5th Mar 2010 at 18:55.