From: utzoo!decvax!cca!hplabs!hao!menlo70!sytek!zehntel!teklabs!tekchips!jackg@sri-unix
Newsgroups: net.aviation
Title: safety pilot requirements
Article-I.D.: tekchips.142
Posted: Mon Aug 30 07:31:26 1982
Received: Wed Sep  8 04:54:26 1982

As I understand it, the real reason for a safety pilot when flying
with a hood on in vfr conditions is simply to satisfy the
see and be seen principle of vfr flight. The safety pilot is not
responsible for controlling the aircraft so he doesn't need a 
complex endoresement, multi-engine rating, type endorsement,
instrument rating, or any other thing required by the pilot
in command.  A private pilot rating seems to qualify him as
a competent observer of other aircraft in vfr conditions.
Whether currency or a valid medical certificate is implied
here is  not clear. The FARs don't seem too clear. Probably
the real answer comes from how it has been interpreted in past
cases relating to the rules.