Logging PIC time in the AF
 

So I am a little confused as to how I should be logging PIC time as it pertains to reporting that time on an Airline App. It seems as though the general consensus on here is split down the middle as to whether it is a good idea to maintain your own logbook or just use the ARMS printout. My question is if I choose to just use the ARMS printout how do I distinguish between PIC and SIC time? We all know that there is only one A-code on the jet and Primary and Secondary time is always split down the middle so without maintaining your own logbook that tracks when you had the A-code how do you know what is PIC time and what isn't? The ARMS printout won't help because if you are just using Primary time as PIC time then obviously you will be short changing yourself.

A little background about myself...

I was a T-6 FAIP that was sent to a heavy platform. I went through Initial Qual as an AC and was designated an AC right off the bat; no First Pilot program in my jet. So I understand all of my time as a student in UPT, PIT, and Initial Qual will be SIC time and my time as an IP in the T-6 will be Instructor Time, but how do I determine what time is PIC in my current platform as an AC without tracking each hour myself that I had the A-code?

Obviously the ARMS printout will not distinguish when I had the A-code so how do guys get by not maintaining their own logbook?

Appreciate any advice y'all can provide...

two words: Advanced Search

I estimate that about 95% of the time I fly, I have the A-code. There's no way to know exactly what the real percentage is, without keeping a separate logbook, so I just took my best guess. My PIC calculation, then, looks like this:

(Primary + Secondary) * .95 + Instructor = Total PIC

The leftover 5% gets added to my SIC. It's an easy method to explain and justify in any interview. I've never had anyone take issue with it. Whatever way you decide to do it, make it easy to explain and understand.

I did. That's where I found some guys saying to maintain a logbook, some saying don't, and some even talking about multiplying all of your time from ARMS since AC upgrade by .9 to calculate your PIC time which doesn't seem super accurate or standardized to me.

I have yet to read a very clear answer.

Interesting. That definitely makes it easy. Do any airlines provide a formula or guidance like that prior to filling out the app?

the answer is one nobody wants to hear: you're a pilot--keep your own logbook. If you rely on ARMS to track something that ARMS doesn't track (PIC time) you're going to be disappointed in 20 years when you go to fill out your airline apps and you're concerned about your times being 100% exact.

Otherwise, just wag it like everyone else does. If you have the mins, don't sweat the details I guess.

This^^^^^^^^^^ +1

I tossed out my other time and used .95 for my C-21 PIC time, .80 for C-141, and .70 for C-17 since as I got closer to 20 years I flew with the A code less and less and also have had bigger crews. Now in my final year, I log IP time as much as possible so that I get the full PIC credit in the spreadsheet that I use to crunch all the numbers along with sortie .2/.3 conversions. There are some great threads somewhere here that discussed this in greater detail. As everyone else has stated--make the mins and just be able to explain your reasoning if you get asked. Same goes for checking the boxes for check airman, chief pilot, ops, safety, etc.

edit--not PIC time but total time prim/sec as MP or IP in each airframe

Not that I am aware of.

Just FYI, you cannot log SIC in the T-6. It is single pilot only.