Originally Posted by
Timbo
... Any time you are flying VFR with a passenger to look out for traffic, put on a hood for a little while and practice your instrument scan, and any time you find a runway with an operating ILS, practice flying it.
Not sure I would do this if I were you... Not legal (or wise IMO) to use an unrated passenger to look out for traffic.
Part 91 says you have to be vigilant to "see and avoid" other aircraft. You cannot do this with a hood on.
Part 91 says you can use a Safety Pilot for this, but requires that the safety pilot must hold at least a private pilot certificate. The pilot certificate must have category and class ratings that are appropriate to the aircraft being flown.