How do I build time with a partner, split the cost, and still log PIC that I need?
The following discussion is focused on the instrument rating requirements, but also applies to the hours required for the commercial and ATP certificates:
Instrument experience requirements/prerequisites: Per the FAA, an instrument rating under Part 61 requires 50 hours of pilot in command (PIC) cross country time prior to the checkride. It further requires at least 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time. Of the 40 hours, a minimum of 15 hours is required to be with an instrument instructor. Cross country for the purposes of obtaining a certificate or rating means the first point of landing must be more than 50NM from the departure point.
Discussion: Usually, only one pilot may claim pilot in command (PIC) at a time. There is a legal loophole allowed by the FAA for PIC time-building: If one person is under the hood simulating instrument conditions and the second person is the safety pilot, then both may claim pilot in command while one person is under the hood. To qualify for this, both pilots must agree to the plan before the flight and the name of the safety pilot must be documented in the log-book of the pilot who was under the hood.
Exceptions: Safety pilot logging cross country. The regulations are not completely clear, but the general legal interpretation is that only the pilot simulating IFR and conducting the landings may log cross-country in their log book. The safety pilot may only log the time the other person was under the hood (thus requiring a safety pilot) and is not log-able as cross country. This is the most cautious and conservative way to log the cross country time per the regulations. (Some people do log XC for both pilots but risk the FAA invalidating the XC time)
To sum up: The pilot under the hood may log the entire flight as PIC, XC (if more than 50NM), total time, and simulated instrument time for the portion spent under the hood. The safety pilot may log PIC and total time only for the portion of the flight the other pilot was under the hood.
The benefit: 1/2 cost time building! As noted above and below, not all of the instrument time has to be with an instructor and the cross country time can be done under the hood with a safety pilot killing two birds with one stone! (I do however, recommend that you work with an instructor first prior to striking out on your own to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness when you are time-building with a partner)
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