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Whoever brought up this subject opened a can of worms. Logging time is probably the most misunderstood thing in aviation. That said, here's my question: What exactly is the difference between logging solo time vs PIC time. I understand the concept of solo flight, but these definitions from FAR 61.51 seem redundant (d) Logging of solo flight time. Except for a student pilot performing the duties of pilot in command of an airship requiring more than one pilot flight crewmember, a pilot may log as solo flight time only that flight time when the pilot is the sole occupant of the aircraft. Why would they include being the sole occupant of the aircraft under both categories? If you're the sole occupant of the aircraft, it stands to reason you're the PIC. What would be the benefit of logging PIC time if you're the sole occupant of the aircraft? Or can you put both? In other words, if I fly 2.0 hrs solo, can I log 2.0 of PIC time AND 2.0 of solo time for the same 2 hours on the Hobbs meter? This had to be written by a bureaucrat. |
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Direct answers to the direct questions: Why would they include being the sole occupant of the aircraft under both categories? Yes, it was written by a bureaucrat. It's just another category under PIC that makes it easy to define. What would be the benefit of logging PIC time if you're the sole occupant of the aircraft? Many insurance companies and employers are interested in your PIC time. Or can you put both? Yes! Just as you can log PIC & night, or PIC & cross-country, or PIC & night and cross-country. It's a non-exclusive category. In other words, if I fly 2.0 hrs solo, can I log 2.0 of PIC time AND 2.0 of solo time for the same 2 hours on the Hobbs meter? Yes |
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You can log PIC time when you meet the definition of PIC Time. This is broken down into four parts. (1) You are the sole occupant of the aircraft (2) You are appropriately rated and are the sole manipulator of the controls (3) You are an authorized instructor (4) You are an ATP acting as Pilot in Command on a flight requiring an ATP rated pilot. I should mention that there is a difference in logging PIC time and acting as Pilot in Command. In most situations, you can log PIC time without having the responsibility of acting as Pilot in Command. You can only log solo time when you are the sole occupant of the aircraft. The two times are quite important as they are both required to be entered into the FAA Pilot application Form 8710-1 |
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Hey Jeff, this took some digging, but apparently before a rule change on Aug. 1997 it was a little unclear if a student pilot could log PIC time before getting their license. http://flighttraining.aopa.org/student_pilot/solo/faqs/#4
This makes solo column is a little superfluous if you're a student pilot, since all of your PIC time will be solo. Although you can log it as both while you're a student and after you've got your private. I don't really log solo anymore though, since whenever I fly I meet the requirements to log PIC. Although if I was training in a different category or class I might use the solo column again just for organizational sake. I found a document from the FAA pertaining somewhat to this issue about logging PIC http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/field_offices/fsdo/sdl/local_more/avsafety_program/media/LOGGING%20PILOT-IN-COMMAND%20TIME.pdf great answers everyone, FAA regs are so open to interpretation that it's always nice to hear how others view them. Often I find that the view I had lasered into my brain is not the only view, or even the correct one. |
