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Old 12-14-2021, 10:13 AM
  #4  
JohnBurke
Disinterested Third Party
 
Joined APC: Jun 2012
Posts: 5,926
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Total time is the duration of the flight...but what was the flight? It has to be something. It can't simply be total time.

14 CFR 61.51(b): https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-1...t-61/subpart-A

A log entry must contain general information (date, location, total time, aircraft type and identification, etc); type of pilot experience or training (solo, PIC, SIC, or instruction received); and conditions of flight (day, night, instrument, etc).

To log the time, it must include not only general information (which includes total time) per 61.51(b)(1), but also include type of pilot experience per 61.51(b)(2). This means that the person logging total time must explain what kind of pilot experience made up that total time and classify it as either solo, pilot in command, second in command, or instruction received.

A log entry is incomplete without specifying the aircraft type. Clearly logging 1 hour of total time without specifying what type aircraft, or identifying the aircraft, would be ridiculous. Was it a helicopter? Tailwheel airplane, Multi engine airplane? It had to be in something, and the regulation states that the aircraft type, and identification (N-number, etc) must be included in the log entry.

If one logs 1.0 hours in a Cheyenne, one must still state where the flight occurred, and when. With this added, the log entry, according to 14 CFR 61.51(b), is still incomplete. Unless one is logging passenger time (no such classification in 61.51), then one is logging pilot time. That's the purpose of a pilot logbook. Accordingly, the regulation stipulates that one must note what kind of pilot time has occurred; what classification of pilot experience does this log entry represent? Was the pilot flying the aircraft solo? Was the pilot in command and able to log it as pilot in command? Was the pilot second in command, either in an aircraft type certificated for more than one crew member, or operated under regulations that required a second in command (and the pilot qualified to log that time)? Was the pilot receiving instruction? If so, the pilot will need the endorsement of the instructor. Without stipulating the type of pilot experience that the total time represents, logging total time is an incomplete entry, and has no basis for logging, in the regulation.
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