Flying IFR doesn't preclude needing a view limiting device. Can be CAVOK and be IFR. The rules under which the flight is flown does not limit logging. PF still logs as sole manipulator, PNF still logs as acting PIC since the PF is under the hood. Now if IMC - like legit in the clouds visibility 0 - and the PF is NOT wearing a view limiting device - then I agree with you, only one pilot logs it since the 'safety pilot' isn't required as a safety pilot at that point, and there is no provision for the PNF to log the time. But even if in and out of the clouds and the PF keeps the hood on while in them, the safety pilot keeps on logging PIC.
I read the original post by
@midwestpa24 as implying IFR/IMC but you do raise a valid point that I had not previously considered with regards to the possibility of a non-rated instrument student being able to fly under the hood and log PIC time for being the sole-manipulator of the controls while the second instrument rated pilot is able to log PIC time as safety pilot and as being a required member of the crew and it all being perfectly fine so long as the first pilot remains under the hood but would this not then be able to apply to actual instrument conditions not under the hood?
Pilot A is the non-instrument rated safety pilot. He's the sole manipulator of the controls and is flying IFR/IMC not under the hood.
Pilot B is the instrument rated safety pilot. He's not manipulating the controls but he is a required crew member and acting PIC in order to fly IFR/IMC.
I'll grant that if Pilot A is instrument rated, then Pilot B is no longer required, unless Pilot A is not current...
I'm reminded of this thread/conversation:
https://www.pilotsofamerica.com/community/threads/can-i-file-and-fly-ifr-without-the-rating.106301/
Which is really just boils down to the whole "acting" vs "logging" PIC debate.
I agree with
@EdFred. This is not accurate. The regs require a safety pilot whenever we "operate a civil aircraft in simulated instrument flight." Nothing quirky about it. Pretty straightforward language. Any time the Pilot Flying is using a device which limits his or her view outside the cockpit ("simulated instrument flight") so the PF cannot fulfill their see-and-avoid requirements. Doesn't matter if the flight is under IFR or VFR.
Just about every "but what if...?" I've seen is nothing but an effort to create an issue where none exists.
Same for searching for distinctions between "flight training" or "flight instruction" under the FAR and what we generically refer to as "instruction" outside the FAR. Even without YouTube, what is generically referred to "instruction" has always taken place. I insisted a non-CFI friend teach me how to fly his RV6A before I would agree to do his flight review in it. Aircraft salesmen giving demonstration flights to potential customers who have never flown that type before are without doubt educating the customer on the operation of the aircraft, yet the FAA recognizes it as a private pilot activity.
There are plenty of things in the FAR which are a bit vague or poorly written. No need to create issues which are not there.
The first part of my post, which is what
@EdFred responded to, was addressing
@midwestpa24 's comment that the operation doesn't need to be VFR which I had read to mean IFR/IMC. The rest of my post was addressing
@EdFred 's disbelief that someone could obtain their instrument rating without knowing the rules regarding a safety-pilot, specifically the rules around a safety-pilot for a non-instrument rated pilot working towards their rating. I dont think I was creating issue with things in the FAR so much as I was pointing out why the vagueness of the FAR's can create such scenarios that can make you have to think "is this really allowed?"
I'd point out other areas in the FAR's where such issues exist and the FAA has taken contradicting positions on some of them but then I'd be making issue of the FAR vagueness rather than point to the vagueness as where the question came from.
I'd also note that I used "quirk" meaning a peculiarity or idiosyncrasy in the way the FAR's are applied, which I believe is still true.