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Is simulated instrument logged with simulator time?

Asked by: 15900 views FAA Regulations, Instrument Rating

I'm training under part 61.  A portion of my instrument training was done using a simulator.  Is that sim time also logged as simulated instrument time?  My first flight instructor was logging sim time as simulated instrument with it, my current one is not.  What's correct?

3 Answers



  1. Wes Beard on Jul 22, 2011

    Back in the day, there were no visuals for a flight simulator.  I am thinking specifically of the old Frasca 400 series simulators.  The only thing they had was the instrument panel and a unique pen on paper to record the flight path.  It was interesting.  In fact, FlightSafety started by using Link Trainers without any visuals showing outside the aircraft.
    If you are flying without reference to outside sources, then you can log instrument time in a simulator, flight training device, or AATD.   If you are using the horizon and doing other than instrument work then I would not log that as instrument time.
     
    § 61.51 Pilot logbooks.
    (g) Logging instrument time. (1) A person may log instrument time only for that flight time when the person operates the aircraft solely by reference to instruments under actual or simulated instrument flight conditions. (2) An authorized instructor may log instrument time when conducting instrument flight instruction in actual instrument flight conditions. (3) For the purposes of logging instrument time to meet the recent instrument experience requirements of §61.57(c) of this part, the following information must be recorded in the person’s logbook— (i) The location and type of each instrument approach accomplished; and (ii) The name of the safety pilot, if required. (4) A person can use time in a flight simulator, flight training device, or aviation training device for acquiring instrument aeronautical experience for a pilot certificate, rating, or instrument recency experience, provided an authorized instructor is present to observe that time and signs the person’s logbook or training record to verify the time and the content of the training session.

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  2. Andy Neumann on Jul 24, 2011

    Short answer: no.  To make it easy on your checkrides (and/or job interviews) log them in separate columns in your log book.  You need to distinguish between the two. 

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  3. Carla Dedera on Mar 21, 2012

    What is the appropriate way to log BATD (simulator) time in a pilot’s logbook?

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