Page 13 - Volume 12 Number 2

Who is Really the
Pilot-In-Command?
by Scott Williams, Esq.
If you are flying alone, or with
only non-pilots in the aircraft,
you already know that the Pilot-
In-Command (PIC) is you. However,
what if there are two rated pilots
in crew seats? Does it matter if by those who schedule the pilots. be held responsible for the flight. one pilot has more experience,
higher ratings, or is giving flight instruction? The answer might be as clear as ... low IFR.
Liability versus Logbook Time
To clarify, the purpose of this article is to discuss who will likely be held responsible by the FAA, the NTSB, and the civil courts in the event of a mishap. The more esoteric discussion about who is eligible to actually log PIC time is for another day.
14 C.F.R. § 1.1 states that the PIC means the person who:
1) Has final authority and responsibility for the operation and safety of the flight;
2) Has been designated as pilot in command before or during the flight; and
3) Holds the appropriate cat- egory, class, and type rating, if appropriate, for the conduct of the flight.
Further, FAR §91.3(a) states: The pilot in command of an aircraft is
FEBRUARY 2018
directly responsible for, and is the final authority as to, the operation of that aircraft.
If there are two pilots, one is the Captain (PIC) and the other is the First Officer (SIC). However, for us Part 91 pilots, several factors will determine who is PIC, and who can
In Part 135 (air taxi) and Part 121 (airlines), the PIC is predetermined
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