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:

The FAA's InFO 15012 clarifies the definitive conditions for legally logging instrument approaches, applicable to both aircraft and various simulator types (FTD/ATD), for maintaining proficiency and training.
Logging instrument approaches performed in an Aviation Training Device (ATD) requires an authorized instructor (CFII) to observe and endorse the logbook, unlike approaches conducted in an actual airplane where the pilot can log it directly.
To be loggable, an approach must involve operating solely by reference to instruments and include being established on all required segments (initial, intermediate, and final) down to minimums.
Approaches flown in actual IMC are loggable even if visual conditions are met after the Final Approach Fix (FAF) but before minimums, while simulated conditions must continue to minimums for the approach to count.

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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.