Logging Simulator Time

I went to the source at Frasca and they confirmed that while the 141 can be
used for all of the purposes listed on the website (including instrument
currency which is what I was doing), it should be logged only as simulator
time, and not as total time.

From Frasca (who manufactures everything from FTDs to Level D sims):
"Usually people log it as Simulator / FTD(Flight Training Device) time.
While the time does count toward your flight time training requirement
for instrument for example, airlines, 8710's etc. usually want you to
break them out so it is easier to just leave them separate in a
simulator column and not include them in your total time. The only time
I would put a simulator flight in Total time column would be in a level
D full flight simulator as the airlines use."

Looks like the original responder was right, I stand corrected.

Eric

I went to the source at Frasca...it should be logged only as
simulator time, and not as total time.

If you quoted them accurately, then your interpretation is incorrect.
They merely said it's more convenient to log it in a separate column,
because *some* people want you to break it out. The word "should"
doesn't apply here, because "Total Time" is not defined in the FARs
and therefore there are no rules about logging it.

They are also wrong by saying that the time doesn't belong on an 8710.
It does, and in the Total Time column, because what it asks for is
Total PILOT Time, and FTD time is PILOT time.

Greg Esres wrote in
:

I went to the source at Frasca...it should be logged only as
simulator time, and not as total time.

If you quoted them accurately, then your interpretation is incorrect.
They merely said it's more convenient to log it in a separate column,
because *some* people want you to break it out. The word "should"
doesn't apply here, because "Total Time" is not defined in the FARs
and therefore there are no rules about logging it.

They are also wrong by saying that the time doesn't belong on an 8710.
It does, and in the Total Time column, because what it asks for is
Total PILOT Time, and FTD time is PILOT time.



It is interesting that the 8710 asks for pilot time whereas part 61 often
refers to flight time. For example, you need 250 hours of flight time to
qualify for the commercial. I doubt one could use sim time to count as
flight time,

For example, you need 250 hours of flight time to
qualify for the commercial. I doubt one could use sim time to count as
flight time,

Agreed. Pilot Time Flight Time.

No idea how OK City massages the numbers to verify the candidate has
the required experience. Perhaps they subtract out the FTD times?

My instrument instructor, Lyle Flick---"Flick's Foggy Flying" told me that
sim time was to be SUBTACTED in one's logbook. This was b4 more advanced
sims, like the Falcon 50EX sim I get into every six months. But I don't log
that time either, as anything!

Karl

Andrew Sarangan wrote:
Greg Esres wrote in
:


I went to the source at Frasca...it should be logged only as
simulator time, and not as total time.

If you quoted them accurately, then your interpretation is incorrect.
They merely said it's more convenient to log it in a separate column,
because *some* people want you to break it out. The word "should"
doesn't apply here, because "Total Time" is not defined in the FARs
and therefore there are no rules about logging it.

They are also wrong by saying that the time doesn't belong on an 8710.
It does, and in the Total Time column, because what it asks for is
Total PILOT Time, and FTD time is PILOT time.




It is interesting that the 8710 asks for pilot time whereas part 61 often
refers to flight time. For example, you need 250 hours of flight time to
qualify for the commercial. I doubt one could use sim time to count as
flight time,


I don't see why not, you may count taxi time... :-)

Matt

"Greg Esres" wrote in message
...

If you quoted them accurately, then your interpretation is incorrect.
They merely said it's more convenient to log it in a separate column,
because *some* people want you to break it out. The word "should"
doesn't apply here, because "Total Time" is not defined in the FARs
and therefore there are no rules about logging it.

I agree completely.. and additional rationale is that most FTDs are approved
for instrument currency or for an IPC as long as a CFII supervises the IPC
or currency. How can one log 6 approaches, holds, and tracking navigational
courses if that time is not considered part of one's total flight time?

I think it is more accurate for Frasca to say that it is helpful to subtotal
airplane time vs. FTD time because for various purposes (i.e. employment or
future ratings) the distinction can be important between the two. But it is
hard for my to conceive how it is improper to consider FTD time to be part
of total time.



-------------------
Richard Kaplan, CFII

www.flyimc.com