Loging simulator time

[SIUav8er]

OK, so Im trying to figure out how to log simulator time.

The sim is a level C. What specific type of time can i log? (besides flight simulator). The instructor said it counted as total time, and I should log it as i would the actual airplane including total time but that just doesnt sound right.

Thanks!

[Nick]

If you put it in the Total Time column, your "total time" should forever come with an asterik:

*Includes simulator time.

That way anyone reading the total time value will know they have to subtract the sim time to get the total time that is industry standard: time spent flying airplanes.



Just put it in the dual received column. You received instruction but it is not an airplane.

Your instructor's recommendation seems rare; I don't know anyone that would log sim time as total time.

[SIUav8er]

Yeah, i thought it was wierd that he said to log it as i would if i was flying the real aircraft. Thanks.

Another question: Does it matter if the instructors didnt sign my logbook? The first instructor i had wouldnt sign my logbook, so i didnt bring it in for the remainder of the training. Can I/Should i log it as dual received without an endorsement?

[MidlifeFlyer]

Originally Posted by SIUav8er

Another question: Does it matter if the instructors didnt sign my logbook? The first instructor i had wouldnt sign my logbook, so i didnt bring it in for the remainder of the training. Can I/Should i log it as dual received without an endorsement?

You're a "Gold Seal CFI.II.MEI IGI." So what do the regs say?

[SIUav8er]

I just thought id ask on here, i only have a far/aim in front of me and i cant find specifics. the FAA is pretty vague about logging simulator time. is there any advisory circulars pertaining to this? its no big deal, i probably wont log it anyway since i have the training record, i was just wondering what everyone else does.

[MidlifeFlyer]

Originally Posted by SIUav8er

I just thought id ask on here, i only have a far/aim in front of me and i cant find specifics. the FAA is pretty vague about logging simulator time. is there any advisory circulars pertaining to this? its no big deal, i probably wont log it anyway since i have the training record, i was just wondering what everyone else does.

Virtually everything you need to know about logging time is in one regulation: 61.51. Beyond that there are a bunch of FAA official legal interpretations that essentially state two principles that may or may nor be obvious from the language of the regs:

1. The word "only" is used as both a necessary condition and a sufficient condition.
2. An operation that requires more than one pilot includes simulated instrument flight.

So your question about lack of endorsement and counting at dual? Open your FAR and read FAR 61.51(h). Is that specific enough?

Simulator time? It's also all there in the FAR. Check out the definition of "flight time" in FAR 1.1 and see if a simulator qualifies.

Want more detail? Obviously not official, but here's my FAQ on logging time:
http://www.midlifeflight.com/faq/faq.php?s=2

[BobDDuck]

I don't understand why this confuses people. Granted the FAA's wording is slightly odd, but here's the deal in a nut shell.

You can log time however you want.

Certain places (most places) want to see it logged one way.

A sim is NOT an airplane.

Sim time does not count as "total airplane time"

Sim time can be used TOWARDS some flight time requirements.

[MidlifeFlyer]

Originally Posted by BobDDuck

I don't understand why this confuses people. Granted the FAA's wording is slightly odd, but here's the deal in a nut shell.

You can log time however you want.

I wouldn't go that far. You need to log it in a way that doesn't violate the FAA's logging rules. IMO, that needs to be clear from the document, without explanation. That can be accomplished in a variety of ways, but the bottom line is that the penalty for logging in a way that would lead the FAA to think that you have something you don't have is revocation of all certificates.