Command Pilot
Sunday, October 18th, 2009In a check-out ride, is the instructor the official pilot-in-command?
Depends.
If the student is already certifacted to fly that type of aircraft, then he can be considered PIC, but this comes down to the preflight briefing, and who is PIC.
When doing a check-out, then usually the student already has some sort of pilot certifacte, and just trying to get checked out to rent /fly solo (insurance companies require more than the FAA ).
If the student is only a student pilot, during a checkride, the instructor is considered PIC.