Pilot Logbooks

ASA Standard Pilot Master Logbook

There is no formal requirement to maintain a logbook of every flight
However, each person must document and record the following time in a manner acceptable to the FAA:
- Training and aeronautical experience used to meet the requirements for a certificate, rating, or flight review
- The aeronautical experience required for meeting the recent flight experience requirements
Logbooks may be maintained digitally or physically
- Physical logbooks may be purchased through amazon

Logbook Entries:

General Information:

Date
Total flight time or lesson time
Location where the aircraft departed and arrived, or for lessons in a flight simulator or flight training device, the location where the lesson occurred
Type and identification of aircraft, flight simulator, flight training device, or aviation training device, as appropriate
The name of a safety pilot, if required by 91.109 of this chapter

Type of Pilot Experience or Training:

Solo
Pilot-in-Command
Second in Command
Flight and ground training received from an authorized instructor
Training received in a flight simulator, flight training device, or aviation training device from an authorized instructor

Conditions of Flight:

Day or Night
Actual instrument
Simulated instrument conditions in flight, a flight simulator, flight training device, or aviation training device
Use of night vision goggles in an aircraft in flight, in a flight simulator, or in a flight training device

Logging of Pilot Time:

Solo Flight Time:

A pilot may only log solo flight time when the pilot is the sole occupant of the aircraft
- Additionally, a student pilot performing the duties of pilot in command of an airship requiring more than one pilot flight crewmember may also log solo flight time
- Note that if you have anyone else in the aircraft with you, you're no longer solo, regardless of their aeronautical experience, if any
Pilot-in-Command Flight Time:
- PIC time is a sensitive subject with may facets
- It is important to note that acting as PIC and logging PIC are two separate topics that deserve individual attention
Acting as PIC:
- There is only ever 1 acting PIC
- FAR Part 1 defines the pilot-in-command as the person who:
  1. Has the final authority and responsibility for the operation and safety of the flight;
  2. Has been designated as pilot-in command before or during the flight; and
  3. Holds the appropriate category, class, and type rating, if appropriate, for the conduct of the flight
- Part 91.3 expands those comments making it clear that anything that happens during the flight is the sole responsibility of the pilot-in-command
Logging PIC:
- Pilots may log pilot in command flight time for flights when any of the following is true:
- When the pilot is the sole manipulator of the controls of an aircraft for which the pilot is rated, or has sport pilot privileges for that category and class of aircraft, if the aircraft class rating is appropriate;
- When the pilot is the sole occupant in the aircraft;
- When the pilot, except for a holder of a sport or recreational pilot certificate, acts as pilot in command of an aircraft for which more than one pilot is required under the type certification of the aircraft or the regulations under which the flight is conducted; or
- When the pilot performs the duties of pilot in command while under the supervision of a qualified pilot in command provided:
  - The pilot performing the duties of pilot in command holds a commercial or airline transport pilot certificate and aircraft rating (i.e., instrument) that is appropriate to the category and class of aircraft being flown, if a class rating is appropriate;
  - The pilot performing the duties of pilot in command is undergoing an approved pilot in command training program that includes ground and flight training on the following areas of operation
    - Preflight preparation;
    - Preflight procedures;
    - Takeoff and departure;
    - In-flight maneuvers;
    - Instrument procedures;
    - Landings and approaches to landings;
    - Normal and abnormal procedures;
    - Emergency procedures; and
    - Postflight procedures;
    - A commercial pilot certificate and flight instructor certificate, and aircraft rating that is appropriate to the category, class, and type of aircraft being flown, if a class or type rating is required; or
    - An airline transport pilot certificate and aircraft rating that is appropriate to the category, class, and type of aircraft being flown, if a class or type rating is required; and
    - Is the sole occupant of the aircraft or is performing the duties of pilot of command of an airship requiring more than one pilot flight crewmember;
    - Has a solo flight endorsement as required under FAR 61.87 of this part; and
    - Is undergoing training for a pilot certificate or rating
    Second-in-Command Flight Time:
    - A person may log second-in-command time only for that flight time during which that person:
      - Is qualified in accordance with the second-in-command requirements of FAR 61.55, and occupies a crewmember station in an aircraft that requires more than one pilot by the aircraft's type certificate; or
      - Holds the appropriate category, class, and instrument rating (if an instrument rating is required for the flight) for the aircraft being flown, and more than one pilot is required under the type certification of the aircraft or the regulations under which the flight is being conducted
      Logging Instrument Time:
      - 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
        
        Instrument time may be logged when unable to maintain cloud clearances, and not just in the clouds (must also be on an IFR clearance when unable to maintain VFR)
        
        Instrument flight may be simulated through the use of training devices such as Foggles, Hoods, or Overcasters
        
        The location and type of each instrument approach accomplished (see InFo 150/12); and
        
        The name of the safety pilot, if required
        
        Logging Instrument Approaches:
        
        A pilot may log an IAP for currency or training when the pilot accomplishes the IAP in accordance with the following conditions:
        
        When conducted in an aircraft, flight simulator, flight training device, or aviation training device, the pilot must operate that aircraft or authorized training device solely by reference to instruments [FAR 61.51(g)(1)];
        
        When conducted in an aircraft, flight simulator, flight training device, or aviation training device, the pilot must be established on each required segment of the IAP to the minimum descent altitude (MDA) or decision altitude/decision height (DA/DH);
        
        See also: FAA Chief Council Legal Interpretation to Daniel Murphy, June 30, 2009
        
        During simulated instrument flight in an aircraft, it may be necessary to deviate from the final approach segment for safety reasons (e.g., in order to avoid traffic or other hazards). In these cases, the pilot may still log the IAP, provided the aircraft has passed the final approach fix (FAF)
        
        Consequently, a flight conducted under simulated instrument conditions requires a safety pilot
        
        A safety pilot must possess a current medical certificate, occupy the other control seat, and be appropriately rated in the category and class aircraft flown [FAR 61.3(c), 61.51, 61.57(c) and 91.109]
        
        The pilot operating under simulated instrument conditions must also log the name of the safety pilot
        
        Except when being radar vectored to the final approach course, or otherwise directed through an appropriate air traffic control (ATC) clearance to a specific IAP, pilots must execute the entire IAP commencing at an initial approach fix or associated feeder route and fly the initial segment, the intermediate segment, and the final segment of an IAP [AIM 5-4-7 (e)]
        
        A safety pilot, authorized flight instructor or designee may simulate ATC radar vectoring
        
        The aircraft will transition from IMC to visual meteorological conditions that allow a landing in accordance with FAR 91.175; or
        
        The aircraft will remain in IMC and execute a missed approach at the missed approach point (MAP) or DA/DH
        
        Logging Training Time:
        
        A person may log training time when that person receives training from an authorized instructor in an aircraft, flight simulator, or flight training device
        
        The training time must be logged in a logbook and must:
        
        Be endorsed in a legible manner by the authorized instructor; and
        
        Include a description of the training given, the length of the training lesson, and the authorized instructor's signature, certificate number, and certificate expiration date
        
        Presentation of Required Documents:
        
        Persons must present their pilot certificate, medical certificate, logbook, or any other record required by this part for inspection upon a reasonable request by:
        
        The FAA;
        
        An authorized representative from the National Transportation Safety Board; or
        
        Any Federal, State, or local law enforcement officer
        
        Pilot logbook;
        
        Student pilot certificate; and
        
        Any other record required by this section
        
        That exceed 50 nautical miles from the airport at which training was received;
        
        Within airspace that requires communication with air traffic control;
        
        Conducted between sunset and sunrise; or
        
        In an aircraft for which the pilot does not hold an appropriate category or class rating
        
        Aircraft Requirements for Logging Flight Time:
        
        For a person to log flight time, the time must be acquired in an aircraft that is identified as an aircraft under 61.5(b), and is:
        
        An aircraft of U.S. registry with either a standard or special airworthiness certificate;
        
        An aircraft of foreign registry with an airworthiness certificate that is approved by the aviation authority of a foreign country that is a Member State to the Convention on International Civil Aviation Organization
        
        A military aircraft under the direct operational control of the U.S. Armed Forces; or
        
        A public aircraft under the direct operational control of a Federal, State, county, or municipal law enforcement agency, if the flight time was acquired by the pilot while engaged on an official law enforcement flight for a Federal, State, County, or Municipal law enforcement agency
        
        Night Flight Time:
        
        Night is the time between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight, as published in the American Air Almanac, converted to local time
        
        These times can be found from a variety of sources such as Airnav.com
        
        For the sake of night landing currency, however, pilots must follow FAR 61.57 which states, no person may act as pilot in command of an aircraft carrying passengers during the period beginning 1 hour after sunset and ending 1 hour before sunrise, unless within the preceding 90 days that person has made at least three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop during the period beginning 1 hour after sunset and ending 1 hour before sunrise
        
        Logging Night Vision Goggle Time:
        
        A person may log night vision goggle time only for the time the person uses night vision goggles as the primary visual reference of the surface and operates:
        
        An aircraft during a night vision goggle operation; or
        
        A flight simulator or flight training device with the lighting system adjusted to represent the period beginning 1 hour after sunset and ending 1 hour before sunrise
        
        An aircraft during a night goggle operation; or
        
        A flight simulator or flight training device with the lighting system adjusted to represent the period beginning 1 hour after sunset and ending 1 hour before sunrise
        
        Technically Advanced Airplanes:
        
        The FAA defines a technically advanced airplane in FAR 61.129 as one equipped with:
        
        An electronic Primary Flight Display (PFD) that includes, at a minimum, an airspeed indicator, turn coordinator, attitude indicator, heading indicator, altimeter, and vertical speed indicator;
        
        An electronic Multifunction Display (MFD) that includes, at a minimum, a moving map using Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation with the aircraft position displayed;
        
        A two axis autopilot integrated with the navigation and heading guidance system; and
        
        The display elements described in paragraphs (j)(1) and (2) of this section must be continuously visible
        
        Endorsements:
        
        Private Pilot Endorsements:
        
        Aeronautical Knowledge Test: See FAR 61.35(a)(1), 61.103(d), and 61.105
        
        Flight Proficiency / Knowledge Test: See FAR 61.103(f), 61.107(b), and 61.109
        
        Instrument Pilot Endorsements:
        
        Aeronautical Knowledge Test: See FAR 61.35(a)(2), 61.65(a) and (b)
        
        Flight Proficiency / Knowledge Test: See FAR 61.65(a)(6)
        
        Commercial Pilot Endorsements:
        
        Aeronautical Knowledge Test: See FAR 61.35(a)(1), 61.123(c) and 61.125
        
        Flight Proficiency / Knowledge Test: See FAR 61.123(e), 61.127 and 61.129
        
        Instructor Pilot Endorsements:
        
        Fundamentals of Instructing Knowledge Test: See FAR 61.183(d) and 61.185(a)(1)
        
        Spin Training: See FAR 61.183(i)(1)
        
        Flight Instructor Ground and Flight Proficiency / Practical Test: See FAR 61.183(g) and 6.187(a) and (b)
        
        Flight Instructor Certificate with Instrument - Category and class - Rating / Practical Test: See FAR 61.183(g) and 61.187(a) and (b)(7)
        
        Electronic Signatures, Recordkeeping, and Manuals:
        
        Advisory Circular (AC) 120-78 "approval" or "acceptance" guidelines for electronic signature, electronic recordkeeping, and electronic manual systems/programs
        
        Pilots are still responsible to comply with applicable FARs
        
        Conclusion:
        
        The topic of acting vs. logging PIC is not easy to understand and there are many "what-if" scenarios
        
        More than once person may log pilot in command, but only ever one person is acting
        
        Many forums discuss these situations and can be found in locations such as here and here
        
        Use the notes section as needed to avoid ambiguity
        
        See AOPA's Logging PIC Time article
        
        References:
        
        Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association - Lazy Logbook Entries
        
        AOPA - Logbooks and Logging Time
        
        AOPA - Logging Flight Time and Instrument Experience when the Autopilot is Engaged
        
        AOPA - Logging Pilot-in-Command (PIC) Time
        
        Federal Aviation Administration Notice (8900.572) Personnel Authorized to Issue the Logbook Endorsement Required by 14 CFR Part 61, FAR 61.195(k)(7) and Their Qualifications and Limitations
        
        Federal Aviation Administration InFo (15012) Logging Instrument Approach Procedures (IAP)
        
        Federal Aviation Administration - Pilot/Controller Glossary
        
        Federal Aviation Administration - Understanding Logbook Endorsements
        
        FAA Information for Operators (150/12) Logging Instrument Approach Procedures (IAPs)
        
        Federal Aviation Regulations (61.51) Pilot Logbooks
        
        CFI Notebook.net - Airworthiness Certificate
        
        CFI Notebook.net - Medical Certificate
        
        CFI Notebook.net - Aviation Roles
        
        FAA - Logging Pilot In Command Time
        
        FAA Safety Briefing - Who's in Charge? Logging Pilot in Command Time
        
        TSS Flying Club - May I legally log PIC time in my logbook

Pilot Logbooks

Logbook Entries:

General Information:

Type of Pilot Experience or Training:

Conditions of Flight:

Logging of Pilot Time:

Solo Flight Time:

Pilot-in-Command Flight Time:

Acting as PIC:

Logging PIC:

Second-in-Command Flight Time:

Logging Instrument Time:

Logging Instrument Approaches:

Logging Training Time:

Presentation of Required Documents:

Aircraft Requirements for Logging Flight Time:

Night Flight Time:

Logging Night Vision Goggle Time:

Technically Advanced Airplanes:

Endorsements:

Private Pilot Endorsements:

Instrument Pilot Endorsements:

Commercial Pilot Endorsements:

Instructor Pilot Endorsements:

Electronic Signatures, Recordkeeping, and Manuals:

Conclusion:

References: