logging simulator time

N

nbv4

Well-Known Member
I'm working on a LogShare type of website, and I'm in the process of figuring out how to handle logging simulator/PCATD/FTD time. Its my understanding that there are three types of non-airborn loggable flight time:

1. Simulator - approved by the FAA to be used for currency and type rating training. Usually the full motion type. Any time in one of these counts as total time just like the real thing, as well as the "Simulator" part of the 8710

2. FTD - A frasca that can be used for currency, but the time does not count towards total time. Time in these is what goes in the "Training Device" section of the 8710.

3. PCATD - Microsoft flight sim with a fancy joystick. No time in these count towards anything, not even currency. This time is what makes up the "PCATD" section of the 8710.

Are all of these assumptions correct? I've never really messed around with simulators much, so I'm kind of in the dark when it comes to the finer points of logging this time.

Also, can I assume that any time in a FTD is is considered simulated instrument time? Is it logical to have FTD time in your logbook that isn't simulated instrument? What about simulators? When filling out 8710's when I was an instructor, for simulated instrument time, I just added up all hood time, plus all FTD time. Is this how everyone else does it?
 
nbv4 said:
I'm working on a LogShare type of website, and I'm in the process of figuring out how to handle logging simulator/PCATD/FTD time. Its my understanding that there are three types of non-airborn loggable flight time:
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None of the ones you listed are "loggable flight time" since none of them are "flight" time. They are logable for various things and some of the ways those things are logged are a matter of choice not regulation.
Also, can I assume that any time in a FTD is is considered simulated instrument time? Is it logical to have FTD time in your logbook that isn't simulated instrument? What about simulators? When filling out 8710's when I was an instructor, for simulated instrument time, I just added up all hood time, plus all FTD time.
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You did? Every 8710 I ever saw separates time in aircraft from time in the various types of devices.
 
FAA approved PCATD's, like some Elite systems, can count towards 10 hours of a Part 61 IFR rating. FAA approved FTD's, like an ATC610, can count for 20 hours towards a Part 61 IFR rating.

Microsoft flight sim never counts for anything. And any loggable time has to be training time received from an instructor.
 
I want my site to accommodate all too all kinds preferences people have towards logging. The way it works now, is when the user logs a flight, it check to see what category the plane is. If it's a Airplane, Glider, Powered life, etc, it puts the time in the Total Flight column. If the plane is listed as an FTD, it adds it to the FTD column. I always assumed that any time in those fancy full motion sims that are approved to do type rating checkrides, could count towards total time. If it doesn't count towards total time, then what does it count for?

I'm just trying to figure out how I should do this. Should I just have one big category for all non flying machines, and put them all in one big "simulator" column, or is there benefit in separating them out?

Microsoft flight sim never counts for anything. And any loggable time has to be training time received from an instructor.
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So you're saying time in Microsoft Flight Sim with an approved instructor present is logable?
 
nbv4 said:
I want my site to accommodate all too all kinds preferences people have towards logging. The way it works now, is when the user logs a flight, it check to see what category the plane is. If it's a Airplane, Glider, Powered life, etc, it puts the time in the Total Flight column. If the plane is listed as an FTD, it adds it to the FTD column. I always assumed that any time in those fancy full motion sims that are approved to do type rating checkrides, could count towards total time. If it doesn't count towards total time, then what does it count for?

I'm just trying to figure out how I should do this. Should I just have one big category for all non flying machines, and put them all in one big "simulator" column, or is there benefit in separating them out?

So you're saying time in Microsoft Flight Sim with an approved instructor present is logable?
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No, he just said Microsoft flight sim never counts for anything. He said in approved loggable simulators, you can only log that which was completed under the supervision of an instructor. That means if you just sit down in an approved device and start flying around, with no instructor present, you can't log that time anywhere.
 
For what is worth, Frasca, the FTD/ sim company, has a document that breaks down what can be logged or used as aeronautical experience by rating. Basically digs out all the regs, and makes it pretty clear.
Just go to there webpage and send them an email.
 
nbv4 said:
Also, can I assume that any time in a FTD is is considered simulated instrument time? Is it logical to have FTD time in your logbook that isn't simulated instrument? What about simulators? When filling out 8710's when I was an instructor, for simulated instrument time, I just added up all hood time, plus all FTD time. Is this how everyone else does it?
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No, some FTDs are used for VFR training, and can even be used for a private certificate. If it is instrument time, it should be noted in the remarks, and the approaches etc, should make it clear. In multi training the FTD is used for a lot of engine cuts that would not be safe to do in the air, to get the procedures down.
 
granlistillo said:
For what is worth, Frasca, the FTD/ sim company, has a document that breaks down what can be logged or used as aeronautical experience by rating. Basically digs out all the regs, and makes it pretty clear.
Just go to there webpage and send them an email.
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Frasca's site is horrible. Do you have any idea what part is listed? If it's in the knowledge base, I can't access that because it wants you to enter your simulator's serial number before it'll allow you to access it.

No, some FTDs are used for VFR training, and can even be used for a private certificate. If it is instrument time, it should be noted in the remarks, and the approaches etc, should make it clear. In multi training the FTD is used for a lot of engine cuts that would not be safe to do in the air, to get the procedures down.
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I only asked because LogShare, when it makes its little mock 8710 thingy, credits all FTD time as instrument time.

The whole point of this thread is to sort of do some field research on how other people log their sim time. What columns you put it under; how you handle currency for sims; how you differentiate between FTD, approved simulators, PCATD's, etc.
 
pm me your email, and when i get a day off i will forward you the summary document, i have (gotta find it). or you could email frasca customer service.

most FTD time is instrument, but it can be used for other things. As I mentioned, I would look at the remarks, after you get your 135 instrument time, it doesnt do you much good, except for currency.

PCATD if memory serves me, isnt useful much past your instrument rating.
i was trying to help, not be argumentitive.
 
granlistillo said:
pm me your email, and when i get a day off i will forward you the summary document, i have (gotta find it). or you could email frasca customer service.

most FTD time is instrument, but it can be used for other things. As I mentioned, I would look at the remarks, after you get your 135 instrument time, it doesn't do you much good, except for currency.

PCATD if memory serves me, isn't useful much past your instrument rating.
i was trying to help, not be argumentative.
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thats cool, I wasn't trying to argue, just clarifying. If you do find the document, could you please email it to nbvfour@gmail.com ? thanks a bunch.
 
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