mad_jock,
Its perfectly legal for the photographer to fly the machine never mind operate the fuel tank selector.
It surprises me you say this, as I am sure it's incorrect.
The safety pilot course does not make it legal for 'partners' to fly. It allows them to at least land in some kind of safe manner following incapacitation of their other half/father/brother/daughter/son etc etc. It just means in the worst situation, there is at least a chance of everybody living, as opposed to dying.
If the photographer is not a pilot, how is it legal for them to act as a crew member, i.e. operate anything that affects the way the aeroplane works?
Perhaps a better way I'd like to pose this to you is - where would you draw the line? Letting your passenger operate certain items, such as the fuel selector, the COM and NAV dials etc etc... Or 'having a go', under your very careful supervision... But if we take this all the way, it ends up with them flying the aeroplane completely while you have your eyes shut!
I just feel there is no grey area in the law, i.e. it's not allowed full stop, otherwise there would be people saying, "Hmmm, but I was watching them very carefully!"
Don't get me wrong, everyone I take flying has a go (under my very careful supervision
) but I know it's illegal.
Interested to hear your thoughts.
Cheers.