Originally Posted by
Toonces
I put any first pilot time after wings as PIC (in addition to solo time prior to wings). It's completely legal iaw the FARs. I also have all my aircraft commander time totaled separately, in case a specific operator asks for the Part 1 definition of PIC. Note that I mentioned wings, not NATOPS check - while getting your initial in a fleet aircraft, you are rated to fly that aircraft, hence legal to log it as Pt 61 PIC. Additionally, where the definition of whether or not an aircraft requires two pilots, I would look at Chapter 5 of a NATOPS manual for amplification. Not all missions require two rated pilots, depending on the platform.
Hell, you can practically justify every SIC hour in a military aircraft as PIC, if you use the definition regarding SIC acting as PIC under instruction. There wasn't a minute where we weren't training to one degree or another.
I stumbled on this after a google search. So forgive the thread resurrection. Being a Navy guy, it piqued my interest.
My understanding is that unless you signed the "A" sheet and, in the case of a multi piloted aircraft, are the Aircraft Commander, you may not log FAA PIC time. FAA PIC time is not the time you are physically doing the flying. Its not Navy 3710.7 "First Pilot Time".
And I heard if you try to log it that way, it will get you tossed out of an airline or any commercial pilot interview.
http://www.aptap.org/logging%20pic.pdf