When you fly under a hood or Foggles to practice instrument flying, you can't see outside — so the FAA requires a second qualified pilot in the other seat to watch for traffic and keep the flight safe. That second pilot is the safety pilot. It's the standard way instrument-rated pilots stay sharp and stay current between flights in actual instrument conditions.
As an independent CFI / CFII, Jesse meets these requirements and is comfortable in the busy South Florida system — which is exactly where you want a sharp set of eyes while you're heads-down under the hood.
You log the simulated instrument time and act as pilot in command. The safety pilot can log second-in-command time when you've agreed they're a required crewmember for the operation. We sort out exactly how each of us logs the flight before the engine starts, per 14 CFR § 61.51 — no guesswork in the logbook.
Safety pilot — frequently asked
A safety pilot is a properly rated pilot who occupies the other control seat while you fly under a view-limiting device (a hood or Foggles) in simulated instrument conditions. Their job is to watch for traffic and keep the flight safe while you practice instrument flying. The requirement comes from 14 CFR § 91.109(c).
Any time you want to log simulated instrument time in an aircraft (as opposed to actual IMC), you must have a safety pilot. This is how most instrument-rated pilots stay current between approaches in actual conditions — they go up with a safety pilot, fly under the hood, and log the approaches and tasks required by § 61.57(c).
Under 14 CFR § 91.109(c), the safety pilot must hold at least a private pilot certificate with category and class ratings appropriate to the aircraft being flown, the aircraft must be equipped with fully functioning dual controls, and the safety pilot must have adequate vision forward and to each side of the aircraft (or a competent observer must supplement that vision). As an independent CFI / CFII, Jesse meets these requirements.
You — the pilot under the hood — log the simulated instrument time and act as pilot in command. The safety pilot may log the time as second-in-command if you've agreed they are a required crewmember for the operation. Exactly how each pilot logs the flight is worked out before you launch, per 14 CFR § 61.51.
Out of the South Florida home fields — Fort Lauderdale Executive (KFXE), Pompano Beach Airpark (KPMP), and North Perry (KHWO) — and nearby airports, schedule permitting. You bring the airplane and the profile you want to fly.
To stay instrument current you only need a safety pilot, not an instructor. Under 14 CFR § 91.109(c) the safety pilot must hold at least a private pilot certificate with the appropriate category and class ratings — they don't have to be a CFII. With that safety pilot in the other seat, you can fly the six approaches, holding, and course tracking that § 61.57(c) requires within the preceding six calendar months. The exception: once you've been out of currency for more than six calendar months, § 61.57(d) requires an Instrument Proficiency Check given by a CFII or other authorized evaluator — a safety pilot is no longer enough. Aviate Success can serve as your safety pilot or, when you've lapsed too far, the CFII for your IPC, at KFXE, KPMP, and KHWO.
