Welcome Guest. Sign in or Signup

2 Answers

Sim time logging

Asked by: 4209 views , ,
FAA Regulations

I've been trying to log some sim time and was wondering what exactly I can log. I looked in the FARs but could not find specifics. Any idea where I can find a specific guide?

2 Answers



  1. Kris Kortokrax on Mar 09, 2014

    If you are asking about which columns you can fill out in your logbook, see 61.51.
    Simulated Instrument time and Training time (Dual).

    If you are inquiring about the circumstances under which it can be logged, 61.51 states that an authorized instructor must be present and sign your logbook.

    This applies to time you want to use for a certificate, rating or currency.

    You can put anything in your logbook that you want. You just can’t necessarily use it for any reason you want.

    +1 Votes Thumb up 1 Votes Thumb down 0 Votes



  2. Cody Barringer on Mar 09, 2014

    I suspect your are asking about a computer simulator or similar training device.

    If you are using a PC based simulator it has to be specifically FAA approved in order to be logged toward a rating, and as Kris said, conducted under CFI supervision.

    There is an AC that address “QUALIFICATION AND APPROVAL OF PERSONAL COMPUTER-BASED AVIATION TRAINING DEVICES” in depth.
    (AC 61-126)

    If you have a simulator that cost less than $5000-$8000 it is most likely not approved and you could not log time with it unless you have a letter of approval for your specific setup from the FAA.

    Hope this is what your question was about.

    0 Votes Thumb up 0 Votes Thumb down 0 Votes


Answer Question

Our sincere thanks to all who contribute constructively to this forum in answering flight training questions. If you are a flight instructor or represent a flight school / FBO offering flight instruction, you are welcome to include links to your site and related contact information as it pertains to offering local flight instruction in a specific geographic area. Additionally, direct links to FAA and related official government sources of information are welcome. However we thank you for your understanding that links to other sites or text that may be construed as explicit or implicit advertising of other business, sites, or goods/services are not permitted even if such links nominally are relevant to the question asked.