BEagle
I cannot understand how anyone could possibly imagine that a pilot under any form of check could conceivably log 'command'.
Let me give you an example
Sure, they may be the 'sole manipulator of the controls', but they're being TOLD WHAT TO DO by someone else! E.g. "Show me a steep turn to the left, recovering back onto this heading". That is a lawful order issued by the checking pilot; he/she has told the pilot what to do, that pilot is acting under their SUPERVISION.
Maybe Approach Controllers should be able to log PIC when they are vectoring you around in IMC in the terminal area.
So I need my biennial review, taken in my plane, and the only instructor around is a spotty kid who has no real clue, but he is available and needs the money.
I tell him in advance I am taking responsibility for the safe conduct of the flight, if anything goes wrong I will make the decisions, and maybe even tell him he has to sit in the back
I demonstrate to boy wonder that I can control the plane, and he signs me off, and maybe even learns something
I cannot understand how anyone could possibly imagine that a pilot giving that form of check could conceivably log 'command'.
The only time I think an instructor is
totally right in logging command is when he has somebody not rated in that plane manipulating the controls. Other times it is a grey area, but quite often an instructor is only along for the ride, even when he is giving instruction. Often they are only evaluating you, the same as an examiner is, and when you would agree you can log PIC.
It seems to me that you log what the regulations permit you to, everybody knows the game, and who ever said the regulations made sense?