Can you log Total Time in a sim?
 

What do you guys/gals log sim time as? I'm in a level D sim and still need the time. I realize a lot of you fellas stopped keeping big logbooks long ago, but those days are still far away for me!

Bottom Line, Can I log total time for this

Sure, just make certain that you log it under the Total Simulator time column. That's going to be different than the Total Airplane time column.

To be clear, don't add Sim time to your total FLIGHT time (which is what employers are interested in).

No. Simulator time is just that - Simulator Time. The level of the sim does not matter. You can log sim time as Simulator Time and Dual Received. It is not "flight time". Take a look at the column in your log book everyone refers to as "total time". If you have the standard logbook, it doesn't say "total time", it says "total duration of flight". From a current FAA perspective "total time" does not exist. It is not defined in Part 1.1 or Part 61. The closest definition to "total time" in the CFR's is "pilot time" - 61.1(b)(12) - which can include flight time, simulator time, and flight training device time. Most logbooks do not have a pre-printed column for this, but you could write "pilot time" on a blank column if you desired.

Under specific conditions the FAR's allow you to credit (not log as "total duration of flight") simulator time toward specific certificates, such as the ATP. For example, 61.159(a)(3)(i) allows credit for 25 hours (61.159(a)(3)(ii) allows for 50 hours if the training is under part 142) of simulator time to be credited to the requirement of 75 hours of instrument flight time.

To clarify, dual received is another category that actually means "flight time in an actual airplane". Sim time is NOT "dual recieved", it is logged only as sim...the presence of the instructor is automatically presumed with any sim time.

I found this out the hard way, and had to re-calculate my logbook... :(

And no, sim time is NOT total time as the term is understood by the airlines and other employers (the FAA does not define total time).

Hi Rick - You can log "training time" (dual received) in a simulator (as long as it's from an authorized instructor). Part 61.1(b)(15) Training time means training received - (i) In flight from an authorized instructor; (ii) On the ground from an authorized instructor; or (iii) In a flight simulator or flight training device from an authorized instructor. It's also part of the FAA's definition of "Pilot Time". Also 61.51(h)(1) Logging training time states - A person may log training time when a person receives training from an authorized instructor in an aircraft, flight simulator, or flight training device.

Like "total time", to my knowledge there is no definition for "dual received" in part 1.1 or 61.1. The definitions of flight training, ground training, instrument training, and training time, and also partially pilot time make up what we call "dual received."

"Dual received" is now called "Training time". Not sure the former was ever defined but training time is and, as mentioned above, you can log sim training time as training time.

To answer your question, Duvie, I suppose you could log whatever you want. Just be prepared to explain your logic at the interview and back up your position.

Duvie,

Just to be on the safe side, I wouldn't log any of it. However, I would keep all of the paperwork associated with a given training program in case you ever have to account for it at a later date. If you still feel a desire to log it, I would keep it logged on a separate sheet of paper. My personal preference is to log only flight time in a logbook.

If it runs on electrons vs. 100LL/JetA......it's sim time only. Don't mix it up with your TT.....it'll only confuse you later.

Just had this Thread.
 

We just had a thread like this. I decided that I'm going to log it however I want. The important thing is, you don't consider the simulator time for anything more than the regulations allow, like 777 said previously. That means you can count like 100 hours for your ATP, and various other amounts for other rating requirements. That's if it's in an approved course.