Originally Posted by
rickair7777
Yes, you're missing something.
Instrument instruction in VMC conditions can be done one a VFR flight plan, or with flight following, or in non-congested areas all on your own without talking to anyone. You do not have to actually file IFR to log instrument instruction or to do practice approaches. If you are not in IMC and are not on an actual filed IFR flight plan, then the PIC does not need an instrument rating, just a PPL. The PIC can be under the hood.
A safety pilot must be rated (PPL or better) in the aircaft...he does NOT need to be current in the aircraft or have any medical at all. See 61.109
Of course pilots-in-training often share safety-pilot time in order to log PIC...and you do need to be current with a medical in order to log SP time as PIC. It's kind of a regulatory oddity...you MAY be a PIC as safety pilot, but you do not HAVE to be a PIC.
When you read the regs, you generally have to take them literally. Do not assume that anything not stated is implied, unless an FAA advisory circular or legal opinion has been issued to modify the literal interpretation.
Exactely, a safety pilot does not have to log that time as PIC, however if you do log that time as PIC you are acceptiing sole responsibility for the flight (while the other pilot is under the hood ofcourse), so if the the one under the hood busts airspace, and you were logging the time as PIC (being the Safety Pilot), you are responsible.