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4 Answers

Logging approaches in a simulator

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Instrument Rating

Quick question for clarification..... Today, I was able to spend 2 hours in an E-2C Hawkeye simulator with a properly trained and rated Naval aviator. I was "flying" left seat and we conducted numerous approaches in a variety of conditions. 

My question is can I log any of those approaches for credit as instrument currency? I hold a Commercial Single and Multi-engine land rating with Instrument Airplane. My last IPC was in February of this year so I am still instrument current.

The aviator in the right seat is not an FAA certified CFI, CFII, or MEI so he would not legally be able to sign my logbook if an instructors signature is required.

 

Thanks in advance

 

4 Answers

  1. Best Answer


    Kris Kortokrax on May 20, 2014

    61.51 (g)(4) appears to require an instructor’s signature to count towards currency.

    What the heck, I would put it in my logbook anyway. Just wouldn’t count it for currency.

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  2. Mark Kolber on May 21, 2014

    As Kris points out, the regs require a CFII in irder to log approaches for currency

    The FAA actually planned to change it in the 2009 Part 61 revision. The preamble to the Final Rule even says they did. But they sort of forgot to change the rule itself, as the Chief Counsel pointed out: http://goo.gl/83ws7N

    I think it’s a generally bad idea to log things that don’t count under the rules, at least not without in some way specifically identifying that it doesn’t count. No reason to give the FAA an excuse to claim logbook falsification, especially with an activity that has the same regulatory status as a flight in Microsoft Flight Simulator.

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  3. Mike Fasano on May 21, 2014

    Thank guys. That’s what I thought. Just needed some backup. I will not log it as Matt points out as to not worry about the potential of muddying up the waters if a review was ever warranted.

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  4. Jim C on Nov 10, 2022

    It may be the rules have changed since this question was answered, but 61.51(5)(5) now states:

    “A person may use time in a full flight simulator, flight training device, or aviation training device for satisfying instrument recency experience requirements provided a logbook or training record is maintained to specify the training device, time, and the content.”

    The OP was rated and current, so it looks like he can log the time.

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