From: utzoo!decvax!cca!Mary.Shaw@CMU-10A@sri-unix
Newsgroups: net.aviation
Title: Re: safety pilot requirements
Article-I.D.: sri-unix.3076
Posted: Fri Sep  3 00:02:24 1982
Received: Wed Sep  8 06:59:38 1982

The principle is "see and avoid", not "see and be seen".  By definition,
    "SEE AND AVOID -- A visual procedure wherein pilots of aircraft
    flying in visual meterological conditions, regardless of type
    of flight plan, are charged with the responsibility to observe
    the presence of other aircraft and to maneuver their aircraft
    as required to avoid the other aircraft...."
Seems to me that the responsibility to maneuver your own aircraft
implies that the safety pilot must be able to fly the airplane -- in
case of a conflict, there just isn't time to explain to the other
pilot what needs to be done.

FAR 91.21 requires that for simulated IFR
    "an appropriately rated pilot occupies the other control seat
    as safety pilot"
which sure sounds to me like a required pilot crewmember (as well
as a requirement for type rating, complex endorsement, or whatever.)
FAR 61.53 says
    "No person may act as pilot in command, or in any other capacity
    as a required pilot flight crewmember while he has a known 
    medical deficiency ... that would make him unable to meet the
    requirements for his current medical certificate."
which I interpret as requiring a current medical.  

My own rule is that my safety pilot should be qualified to fly PIC of
the airplane during the flight.  This means licensed, current, rated
for type or multi, current medical, no alcohol within 8 hours, high
performance or complex endorsement if appropriate, ... the whole bit.
Since the simulated IFR is flown in VMC, I don't believe an IFR
rating is required, though.

Mary Shaw