I'm still confused, so if it states in the opspecs that one or two pilots can be required even though it's a single pilot a/c, then pic will be logged for the left seater and sic will be logged for the right seater?
See if this helps remove the confusion:
#==============================
61.51(f) Logging second-in-command flight time. A person may log second-in-command time only for that flight time during which that person:
(1) Is qualified in accordance with the second-in-command requirements of § 61.55 of this part, and occupies a crewmember station in an aircraft that requires more than one pilot by the aircraft's type certificate; or
(2) 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.
==============================
Focus in on (2) and especially the bolded portion. There are two conditions under which a pilot may legitimately log SIC time: (a) when more than one pilot is required by the aircraft's type certificate and (b) when more than one pilot is required by "
the regulations under which the flight is being conducted."
That last one is where people get confused, but all it means is that if there is something about the flight that requires a second pilot under
the FAA's rules (not an insurance company's; not a flight company's), then the person who is not PIC may log the time as SIC, regardless of the type of aircraft.
For example
- a IFR passenger charter in a 172 (if there is such a thing) requires a SIC under 135.101
- an OpSpec may require a second pilot for certain (or all) operations (119.21-23 generally require compliance with OpSepecs)
In both of those cases, the SIC may log SIC time.
The question you need to ask is a simple one: Is a second pilot required by an FAA rule. If the answer is "yes," SIC time may be logged. If not, the answer is "no."