? on logging X-C
 

I have a friend of mine who owns a C172 that wants to go on a long X-C within the next week or so. I'm currently a PPL, but I have only flown a C152 and Piper Warrior. If we take turns flying PIC, then can I legally log time in a C172? If not, atleast safety pilot for some total time?

Nope and nope.

You can not have passengers in the aircraft as a student pilot. Also, the only time that you can legally log anything other than PIC time (aside from dual given) in an aircraft that requires only one crewmember is when they are under a view limiting device.

Ok, well neither of us are student pilots.

Let me ask this now. I am currently an instrument student and I know someone that is also flying a 172 that would like to do some instrument proficiency work under the hood. If I go along and act as safety can THAT be logged? I have not been checked out in a 172 which is my concern about logging it...

Ranch,

You can definately log any time that you are the PIC. Your certificate is Airplane Single Engine Land, so anything that is an airplane, has one engine, and lands solely on a runway that doesn't require a type rating in you are legally permitted to log time as PIC in. (Provided that you have any necessary endorsements such as high alt/complex/high performance).

If you act as the safety pilot, you may also log the time flown as safety pilot (however remember that to log the time, somebody has to be under the hood for the entire duration if you are going to log XC).

One other note to consider... you might want to check out your friends insurance policy before going- that might be the only catch is if something goes wrong. Remember that the person that is PIC should be designated before the flight- his insurance policy might require him to the be PIC... Or it might have time in type/dual received limits.

Hey Ranch,
FJosh is right on all counts. Especially the insurance thing.
ASEL is ASEL.
Remember that your role as safety pilot is primarily to check for other traffic or obstructions. You should brief the flight well, and make sure that if you have to take controls you say " my controls, he says " your controls and lets go completely to insure a smooth transition of the flight controls. It is amazing how many problems have occured because either noone was flying or both pilots were flying.
Communication is critcal.
Have fun!

yeah, I misread that. My bad

As long as you're rated for the same category and class of aircraft you're fine (assuming your bud's 172 doesn't have an STC for like 210hp which would require a HP signoff). Bring along the foggles.

Mistah Pip,
I figured that you thought they were both students..

Thanks to everyone for chiming in. I'll be sure to check on the insurance thing for sure. Happy Flying.

For whatever reason, I thought it said ranch4x4 was working on his, private. I guess that's just proof positive that I should be sleeping rather than sitting at the FBO at 1am working...