On Tue, 25 May 2004 18:18:50 -0700, wrote:

Could you explain the difference for those of us who haven't witness The Light Of
Knowledge?

Sure. Snip from the introduction to my personal FAQ: "The Rules of
Logging PIC"
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Basic Principles

The "golden key" to understanding "The Rules" is to always keep in
mind that the FAR treats "acting as pilot in command" and "logging
pilot in command time" as =completely= different concepts. It's the
difference between (1) having final authority and responsibility for
the operation and safety of a flight (commonly referred to as "acting
as PIC") and (2) writing numbers in columns on a piece of paper while
sitting at a desk with a beer in your hand. The first reflects FAA
policy about who is permitted to be in charge of a flight. The second
reflects FAA policy about what a pilot may count toward the
requirements for certificates, ratings and currency. They =never= mean
the same thing and they have completely different rules. A pilot can
be responsible for a flight and =not= be permitted to write those
numbers down. A pilot can be technically nothing but a passenger in
the FAA's eyes and be permitted to write time in that PIC column. In
some circumstances, two pilots may sit at that desk and write numbers
in their logbooks, even though, quite obviously, only one can bear the
ultimate responsibility for a flight.

The known universe of logging rules is contained in FAR 61.51. Unless
61.51 specifically directs you to it, answering a logging question by
including the word "acting" or pointing to any other FAR is always a
mistake. On the other hand, rules about "acting" as PIC in particular
circumstances can be found in various regulations.

[snip]

Keep them straight
Acting As PIC = duty, authority, responsibility
Logging PIC Time = putting numbers in columns on a piece of paper
Different purposes, different concepts, different rules.

Mark Kolber
APA/Denver, Colorado
www.midlifeflight.com
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