flying partner for hour building
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2019
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From: Austria
flying partner for hour building
I hold an EASA PPL(A) and am looking to build ~50 hours PIC this year. Due to current limitations, I need another qualified pilot in the sear next to me for the time being.
I can take up to 60 days off work this year, so I’m considering structured hour-building abroad (Southern or Eastern Europe) during the summer.
Some operators advertise “free safety pilot” arrangements, which I find hard to square with the fact that only one pilot logs PIC. Others can only offer an instructor at full FI rates.
I’m trying to understand what makes sense here:
Interested in hearing how others have approached this.
I can take up to 60 days off work this year, so I’m considering structured hour-building abroad (Southern or Eastern Europe) during the summer.
Some operators advertise “free safety pilot” arrangements, which I find hard to square with the fact that only one pilot logs PIC. Others can only offer an instructor at full FI rates.
I’m trying to understand what makes sense here:
- Are “free safety pilot” schemes legitimate, and if so, how do they usually work?
- Any experience with long-block cross-country hour building under similar constraints?
Interested in hearing how others have approached this.
Fleet Manager
Joined: Aug 2006
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 7,081
Likes: 2,938
From: Ontario, Canada
Though I don't have any direct answers for you, I will offer a few thoughts...
First, think of it as "experience building" rather than hour building. Hours are just numbers, it's the experience you want.
When you find someone to fly with, work out the cockpit roles in advance; who's PIC (which may be based upon who is insured to fly the plane), who's actually flying (is the other person entitled to allow the other to fly?). Typically, if something goes wrong, it's the responsibility of the PIC, and... the PIC themself does not have the benefit of being insured in the case that they are injured (they are not a "passenger" and as such, not covered under passenger liability).
So, certainly find someone with whom to build experience! And, know that as a newer pilot, you can gain a lot of valuable experience while not actually flying the plane, but being closely involved with the flight. Flight planning, weather planning, nav tracking and radio work are all very valuable learning points which do not involve actually flying. On many of my ferry flights with a second pilot, I was actually happy to have them fly while I concentrated on some of these other important aspects of flying. Even if you are active right seat pilot not flying in an advanced type to which you would not normally have access (you went for the ride), there's lots to learn!
Good luck with your experience building!
First, think of it as "experience building" rather than hour building. Hours are just numbers, it's the experience you want.
When you find someone to fly with, work out the cockpit roles in advance; who's PIC (which may be based upon who is insured to fly the plane), who's actually flying (is the other person entitled to allow the other to fly?). Typically, if something goes wrong, it's the responsibility of the PIC, and... the PIC themself does not have the benefit of being insured in the case that they are injured (they are not a "passenger" and as such, not covered under passenger liability).
So, certainly find someone with whom to build experience! And, know that as a newer pilot, you can gain a lot of valuable experience while not actually flying the plane, but being closely involved with the flight. Flight planning, weather planning, nav tracking and radio work are all very valuable learning points which do not involve actually flying. On many of my ferry flights with a second pilot, I was actually happy to have them fly while I concentrated on some of these other important aspects of flying. Even if you are active right seat pilot not flying in an advanced type to which you would not normally have access (you went for the ride), there's lots to learn!
Good luck with your experience building!
Joined: Apr 2009
Aviation Qualifications: Non-Aircrew
Posts: 1,572
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From: DM33
FAA rules allow hooded pilot (simulated IMC) and safety pilot to both log PIC. Some acting as SP log the time and some do not. I usually log as instruction given or PIC depending on how the flight was conducted.
I have zero interest in "hour building" but I do like to keep an accurate log of my flight experience.
Perhaps consider some flight experience in USA.
I have zero interest in "hour building" but I do like to keep an accurate log of my flight experience.
Perhaps consider some flight experience in USA.
Joined: Dec 2005
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 4,973
Likes: 326
From: Hong Kong
Joined: Dec 2005
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 4,973
Likes: 326
From: Hong Kong
There you go, a learning day. I'd heard of an OML but not an OSL so I just looked it up. Good luck to you, I hope your OSL can be removed or at least become an OML at some point.
Fleet Manager
Joined: Aug 2006
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 7,081
Likes: 2,938
From: Ontario, Canada
I have an OSL limitation on my medical, meaning I can only fly with another qualified pilot.
Following my accident, I did not fly for seven months while I recovered. When I was ready, as required by the wording of the regulation, I went for a flight with an instructor. I had never met him before, and he had no preconceived idea of how I flew. It was apparently well, as that 172 fit like a glove. I felt like I'd flown it three hours the day before. Getting signed off was not a problem - with the instructor anyway, the regulator, 18 months, and 150 hours of flying later was not so easy!
So CS, go and build experience, keep yourself fresh while your full medical is restored.
