Logging Sim Time

Mark Kolber

Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at 08:50 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The FAA expanded the use of approved training devices (FFS, FTD, ATD) in 2018, allowing pilots to use them without an instructor to maintain instrument currency under §61.57(c).
When logging device time for currency, clearly record the date, device type (e.g., Redbird FMX ATD in C172 mode), time spent in the "ground-trainer" column, and the specific instrument currency tasks accomplished (approaches, holding, tracking) in the remarks.
Avoid logging device time as "flight time," PIC, SIC, cross-country, night, or actual instrument conditions, as these categories are strictly for actual aircraft operations.

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Back in 2018, the FAA expanded our ability to use training devices to maintain instrument currency. Incomprehensible distinctions between aircraft and various types of simulators were removed. Rated pilots may log currency tasks without an instructor. An increased market for training devices and their increased use—often by pilots who logged little or no device time in the past—was predictable and beneficial. Let’s walk through a simulator exercise for currency and see how we might log it.

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