No, a student pilot cannot fly with a pilot acting as a passenger unless a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) is onboard providing flight instruction.
Understanding the Roles in an Aircraft
To understand why a student pilot cannot simply fly with another pilot, it's important to understand crew roles:
- Required Crew Member: In many cases, only one pilot is required to operate an aircraft.
- Passenger: If a second person is onboard and not acting as a required crew member, they are considered a passenger.
- Student Pilot Limitations: A student pilot cannot serve as a required crew member, according to the provided reference, unless a CFI is onboard providing flight instruction.
When Can a Student Pilot Fly With Another Pilot?
The provided reference clearly specifies that unless the aircraft requires a crew of two (or more) by its type rating, a second person is considered a passenger. In this situation, a student pilot cannot act as a required crew member unless they are receiving instruction, implying a CFI must be present.
Therefore, the answer to the question "Can a student pilot fly with a pilot?" needs further clarification based on roles.
- Pilot as a passenger: A student pilot cannot fly with another pilot acting solely as a passenger. In this case, the student pilot would be acting as the required crew member without being properly rated or supervised for the specific operation.
- Pilot as a CFI: A student pilot can fly with a pilot who is a CFI, because they are receiving flight instruction. In this situation, the CFI assumes the role of instructor and makes sure the flight is done safely and legally.
Summary
| Scenario | Student Pilot Role | Legal? |
|---|---|---|
| Student pilot and pilot (non-CFI) | Required Crew Member | No |
| Student pilot and CFI | Receiving Instruction | Yes |
In essence, while a student pilot can fly with a pilot, they can't do so casually or without the appropriate supervision from a CFI, unless the aircraft mandates a crew of two pilots, which is not the context of the question.
