A friend and I were flying over the Appalachian Mountains looking for a small airport, this was before we all had a GPS on board. It is a nice smooth day, the Cessna 172 was well trimmed and we are both looking at the sectional trying to find the airport that is hidden from us. Then he looked at me and asked a very important question, "Who is flying the airplane?"
Here we were two pilots flying in an unfamiliar area around mountains and we got so focused on the chart we forgot to fly the airplane for a moment. It happened so quickly and so easily I can see why the FAA has made Positive Exchange of Flight Controls a special emphasis area in the Practical Test Standards. Exchanging flight controls is something that takes place a lot during flight training. The instructor will demonstrate a maneuver and then will hand the controls of the airplane back to the student many times during a single lesson. This is how the FAA recommends an exchange of flight controls:
During flight training, there must always be a clear understanding between students and flight instructors of who has control of the aircraft. Prior to flight, a briefing should be conducted that includes the procedure for the exchange of flight controls. A positive three-step process in the exchange of flight controls between pilots is a proven procedure and one that is strongly recommended.
When the instructor wishes the student to take control of the aircraft, he/she will say “You have the flight controls.” The student acknowledges immediately by saying, “I have the flight controls.” The flight instructor again says “You have the flight controls.” When control is returned to the instructor, follow the same procedure. A visual check is recommended to verify that the exchange has occurred. There should never be any doubt as to who is flying the aircraft.
It might sound silly to keep saying "You have the controls" "I have the controls" but it helps reduce the chance of you ever having to ask "Who is flying the airplane".
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