Second in command time as an MO

[SABRE17]

My Dad posed this question to me today, and I honestly had no idea. Can an Mission Observer who is a rated pilot (PPL SEL in my case) count the time in the right seat on a mission/training exercise as second in command time???

Sorry if this question has been asked before but the search feature was no help.

[Cliff_Chambliss]

I would invite your attention to 14CFR61.55.  Basically to log Second in Command either the aircraft requires two pilots or the operation requires two pilots.  Since no CAP mission requires two fully rated pilots, the answer is no. 
A good question, but the answer is no.

[JeffDG]

I would invite your attention to 14CFR61.55.  Basically to log Second in Command either the aircraft requires two pilots or the operation requires two pilots.  Since no CAP mission requires two fully rated pilots, the answer is no. 
A good question, but the answer is no.

Not quite true...

If the pilot is doing simulated instrument (highbird is a great opportunity for brushing up on your basic attitude and holding patterns), then FAA regulations require a second pilot.  (Ref:  14 CFR 91.109(c)(1) http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=64e5b23295d1dc8c1459655a3d3fa38c&rgn=div5&view=text&node=14:2.0.1.3.10&idno=14#14:2.0.1.3.10.2.4.5 )

[Eclipse]

(highbird is a great opportunity for brushing up on your basic attitude and holding patterns)

Highbird is >not< a great time for the MO to be doing anything else but paying attention to the radio.  In fact, increasingly we are placing HRO's in the right seat instead of observers.

Pilots slotting as observers and then flying from the right seat is a problem, not an opportunity.  MO's have specific duties and their own work to do, this is not the time to be trying to sneak stick time.

The first person to respond with anything that involves the term, or idea, "safety pilot" gets an atomic wedgie.

[RiverAux]

Since no CAP mission requires two fully rated pilots, the answer is no. 

There are some missions that CAP flies for the Air Force (training support) that do require 2 pilots, but they are quite rare.

[coudano]

Highbird is >not< a great time for the MO to be doing anything else but paying attention to the radio.  In fact, increasingly we are placing HRO's in the right seat instead of observers.

I was gonna say; unless...
a) you have a radio operator on board
b) the airplane is configured as an airborne repeater (not an airborne voice relay)

[JeffDG]

Highbird is >not< a great time for the MO to be doing anything else but paying attention to the radio.  In fact, increasingly we are placing HRO's in the right seat instead of observers.

I was gonna say; unless...
a) you have a radio operator on board
b) the airplane is configured as an airborne repeater (not an airborne voice relay)

(b) was what I was referring to.

[av8tr1]

(highbird is a great opportunity for brushing up on your basic attitude and holding patterns)

Highbird is >not< a great time for the MO to be doing anything else but paying attention to the radio. 

Pilots slotting as observers and then flying from the right seat is a problem, not an opportunity.  MO's have specific duties and their own work to do, this is not the time to be trying to sneak stick time.

:clap: +10000000000000000000000 Thought I was the only one who felt this way. 

[Mustang]

Nope, not by a longshot. I've said the same thing for years.