How to log initial simulator time?
 

In regards to logging initial simulator time, how is it properly logged? Since it's a level-C or higher simulator, can I log the simulated instrument? Should I log dual received?

I'm bad at finding this stuff in the FARs...

Your sim instructor should know how.
It’s very specific wording for each course/sim#.

My how times have changed. We never logged sim time in our personal logbooks. Then again, the average new hire regional guy was an ATP with well over 2500TT back then. I guess some guys now could need the class D sim time just to get the ATP.

It’s a great time to be a pilot. You’re instructor will be able to help you log it correctly.

Your logbook should have a simulator column.
Log it as TT and as dual received.
In remarks section: sim #1 at Airline X etc.

I would recommend not mixing it in total time at all, many employers do not want to see that.

We probably all have a sim column from general aviation sims, Frasca, etc. If you need to log level D, then I would create a separate column just for that... if you need to meet ATP mins, they'll have to sign it.

It might be hard to consistently log level D in your personal book throughout your airline career... it's not required per the airline (as it is logged in their records). Many instructors will not want to sign your book since there's no upside for them.

When I was a sim instructor and building time, I logged the 100 hours that can be put towards your ATP credit in a separate logbook, I logged all the time during my type training and all time I was a seat fill. The training center where the sim is should be able to give you a printout out with times in the sim and instructor giving instruction abs the lesson syllabus reference to the purpose of the lesson. You can use that as your log.

I never counted this as anything other than sim time. Logging it as dual is silly as all sim time is instruction.

I also had a copy of the simulators FAA registration, and the training centers credentials.

I wound up with over 1000 hours of logged sim time, but only 100 meant anything.

That being said, I have never had one issue in airline training, purely due to my comfort with the sim world.

Agreed, unless you need the time for your initial ATP I wouldn’t log it.

Yeah, I didn't actually need the time for the ATP. I'm already way pass training and was catching up/cleaning up my digital logbook, so I wasn't sure if majors and whatnot like to see it in there. Seems like what I'm being told, which is what you're saying, is definitely don't include it in TT, and don't include dual or simulated instrument--only Flight Simulator column.

Thanks

Correct, don't mix it with any column which also includes real airplane time, otherwise you'll be trying to subtract it out later so you can report your times to the majors the way they want to see it.

I don't bother trying to log airline sim time, many instructors don't want to sign your book. My new-hire sim buddy dutifully filled in all of his sim training in his logbook, and then asked for the instructor to sign it at the end. Instructor said no.

Any employer knows what sim you did while employed as an airline pilot, and if for some reason you got extra sim along the way you actually DON'T want potential employers to see that.

Remember... sim time is NEVER EVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES real airplane time. That's a common fallacy which exists in the part 91 world. For FAA purposes some sim can be counted towards some aeronautical experience requirements which would otherwise require real airplane time.

Once I had more then enough hours for the ATP, I went back in my logbook and removed all simulator time that I was told I could legally log as total time. They will come under heavy scrutiny in almost every interview or type rating you get for the rest of your life and just not worth the headache and the documentation/knowledge needed to explain it away every time.