Originally Posted by
rickair7777
I would be very reluctant to log time based on an estimate if you need that time for verification. The FAA is entitled to a detailed accounting if they ever ask. It can be in any format, scribbled on yellow stickies or whatever, but it would need to be in detail.
If you had the details at one point and lost them, you could probably get away with a plausible sum total that was based on the details that you had at one time.
Also regarding PIC, there are two types:
Sole manipulator. This is what you get when you are flying under the supervision of a CFI or PIC. It is loggable and useable for some FAA purposes. But most civilian employers do not count this as actual PIC, it's good to log but keep it in a separate column.
Actual PIC. You're the boss and signed for the airplane. This is the captain/PIC, check airman, or CFI. Never the SIC or student.
Don't mix these two, you'll fail the logbook review at an interview.
Unfortunately with cross country time there is no real way to figure it as it is not something tracked by the military. I've spoken to the FAA and employers during interviews about this and none had an issue with a conservative estimate based upon the platform I flew.
You are correct about PIC time which is another reason to use an electronic logbook.