Dumb question about simulators
- Thread starter Shep8
- Start date
it depends on the type of simulator. If its a frasca then no. If it's one of those full motion sims, then you probably can.
DE727UPS
Well-Known Member
FAR 61.1 says:
(1) "Aeronautical experience" means pilot time obtained in an aircraft, flight simulator, or flight training device
(12) "Pilot time" means that time in which a person—
(i) Serves as a required pilot flight crewmember;
(ii) Receives training from an authorized instructor in an aircraft, flight simulator, or flight training device; or
So, your training time in a flight training device (frasca, ATC610) does count as "aeronautical experience" and "pilot time".
What does the far right column of your logbook say? total time? That's what your asking about. I'll tell you that's assumed to be "total aircraft time" which is not an FAA defined term. However, the industry standard is to not put any time in that far right column unless it's in an aircraft or a level of sim that equals an aircraft.
(1) "Aeronautical experience" means pilot time obtained in an aircraft, flight simulator, or flight training device
(12) "Pilot time" means that time in which a person—
(i) Serves as a required pilot flight crewmember;
(ii) Receives training from an authorized instructor in an aircraft, flight simulator, or flight training device; or
So, your training time in a flight training device (frasca, ATC610) does count as "aeronautical experience" and "pilot time".
What does the far right column of your logbook say? total time? That's what your asking about. I'll tell you that's assumed to be "total aircraft time" which is not an FAA defined term. However, the industry standard is to not put any time in that far right column unless it's in an aircraft or a level of sim that equals an aircraft.
Nevermind I actually found the exact simulator online. It is an FAA approved advanced aviation training device whatever that means.
http://www.frasca.com/web_pages/brochures/Mentor%20brochure.htm
"It's FAA Approved, which means you can log up to 20 hours of time in this simulator toward meeting the required instrument time requirement for the FAA Instrument Rating and up to 50 hours toward your Commercial Pilot Airplane certification."
http://www.frasca.com/web_pages/brochures/Mentor%20brochure.htm
"It's FAA Approved, which means you can log up to 20 hours of time in this simulator toward meeting the required instrument time requirement for the FAA Instrument Rating and up to 50 hours toward your Commercial Pilot Airplane certification."
MidlifeFlyer
Well-Known Member
It's not a dumb question. In fact it is asked so often, I put the answer on my FAQ page.
May I Log Sim Time as "Total Time"?
The short version is that it depends on what you are counting as "total time" in your logbook.
There's really no such thing in the FAR as "total time". There's total "pilot time" and total "flight time."
The rule is really very simple and straightforward.
If you are counting total "flight time," no simulator, no matter how sophisticated counts.
If you are counting total "pilot time," approved FTDs and simulators count.
Chances are most of us count total "flight time" in our logbooks (sure makes filling in those 8710s easier) but there are some who use the column for "pilot time." So long as you are both clear and consistent in what you are doping, it probably doesn't make any regulatory difference.