📘14 CFR §61.51 — Logging Pilot Time
✏️ Plain-English Summary:
This regulation explains what counts as official flight time, how to log it, and what information is required in your logbook. It defines terms like PIC, SIC, solo, and training received — and tells you who can log what, and when.
✅ Key Takeaways for PPL Students:
🕒 Types of Flight Time You Can Log:
✅ Solo Time — when you’re the only person in the aircraft
✅ PIC Time — even as a student, you can log PIC when:
You’re the sole manipulator of the controls
In an aircraft you’re rated or endorsed to fly
✅ Dual Received — when you receive instruction from an authorized CFI
✅ Training Time — counts when logged in pursuit of a certificate or rating
✍️ Logbook entries must include:
Date
Aircraft make/model
Flight time
Type of experience (e.g., solo, dual received, PIC)
Location & type of each instrument approach (if applicable)
Name of safety pilot (if used)
✈️ Scenario:
You’re flying the DA40 with your instructor and practicing landings. ✅ You log “dual received” time. Then you solo the same plane. ✅ You log solo time and PIC time — because you’re rated (student pilot with endorsement) and sole manipulator.
🧠 Common Student Mistakes:
Logging solo time with a CFI in the plane — ❌ not solo
Forgetting to log approaches for instrument training — ❌ not valid for IFR currency
Logging PIC before being properly endorsed — ❌ not legal
Not listing aircraft make/model — ❌ incomplete record
🎓 CFI Teaching Tip:
Have students begin their structured logbook habits early. Show them how to:
Log approaches properly (even for VFR maneuvers)
Write clean, legible entries
Use remarks like "Steep Turns, Slow Flight, Landings x3"
Also: emphasize that flight time ≠ always PIC time — especially early in training.
📚 References:
FAR: 14 CFR §61.51
AC 61-65H: Logbook entry examples and training record guidance
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