Can You Log That?

Within the IFR community, there has been much confusion over how and when to log instrument approaches. The FAA extended that confusion to logging approaches in a simulator as we wrote in the December issue, Need a Sim Instructor?

Fred Simonds

Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

FAA Information For Operators (InFO) 15012 clarifies the specific conditions for legally logging instrument approaches for pilot proficiency and training, applicable to both actual aircraft and flight simulators.
To log an instrument approach, a pilot must operate solely by reference to instruments and be established on all required segments (initial, intermediate, and final) down to minimums. In actual IMC, the approach can also be logged if the aircraft transitions to VMC within the final segment or if a missed approach is performed.
A key requirement for logging instrument approaches in a simulator (ATD) for currency is that an authorized instructor (CFII) must observe the activity and provide a logbook endorsement.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Letters of Authorization for ATDs have approved their use to meet 61.57(c) for instrument currency. However, unlike in an airplane where you fly it and log it, 61.51(g) requires an authorized instructor to observe and to sign off.