Pilot Logbook Guide: How to Log Flight Time

61.51(a) — Training Time and Aeronautical Experience

Each person must document and record training time and aeronautical experience used to meet the requirements for a certificate, rating, or flight review in a manner acceptable to the Administrator. The FAA does not specify a particular format — paper, electronic, spreadsheet, or stone tablet would all technically qualify, as long as it is a "reliable record."

61.51(b) — Logbook Entries

For each flight or lesson, you must log: (1) Date, (2) Total flight or lesson time, (3) Location or route of flight, (4) Type and identification of aircraft or simulator, (5) The name of any safety pilot (if required). This is the minimum for every entry. Additional columns (PIC, SIC, night, instrument, etc.) are logged based on what applies to that specific flight.

61.51(i) — Currency and Endorsements

Your logbook is also where instructor endorsements live. Your CFI endorses your logbook for solo privileges, checkride signoffs, flight reviews, and instrument proficiency checks. These endorsements have specific wording requirements found in AC 61-65H. Keep endorsement pages clean and organized — DPEs and airline interviewers check them.

Rule: You are the sole manipulator of the controls AND rated in the aircraft category/class, OR are the sole occupant.

Common mistake: Logging PIC when you are not rated (e.g., student pilot logging PIC in a complex aircraft without the endorsement). Students CAN log PIC when they are the sole occupant of the aircraft during solo flights.

Rule: The aircraft requires more than one pilot by type certificate or regulation (Part 135/121). Some Part 91 operations allow SIC logging under specific conditions.

Common mistake: Logging SIC in a single-pilot aircraft during a Part 91 flight. Unless the operation requires SIC by regulation or the aircraft type certificate requires two pilots, you cannot log SIC.

Rule: You receive flight training from an authorized instructor. The instructor must also log the time as instruction given.

Common mistake: Failing to log dual received when receiving instruction in a simulator. AATD/BATD time with an instructor counts as dual received and instrument instruction.

Rule: You are the sole occupant of the aircraft. Only student pilots, sport pilots, and recreational pilots log solo specifically. Private pilots and above log PIC instead.

Common mistake: A private pilot logging 'solo' time. Once you hold your private certificate, time as sole occupant is logged as PIC, not solo.

Rule: You operate solely by reference to instruments in actual IMC. Log the time you are in actual instrument conditions, not the entire flight.

Common mistake: Logging the entire flight as actual instrument when only a portion was in IMC. Only log the time you were actually in the clouds or below minimums.

Rule: You operate under simulated instrument conditions (view-limiting device). A safety pilot is required who must have at least a private pilot certificate and appropriate medical.

Common mistake: Forgetting that the safety pilot can also log PIC or SIC. The safety pilot is a required crewmember and can log PIC (since they are acting PIC) while you log PIC (as sole manipulator). Both pilots can log PIC simultaneously.

Rule: Time between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight. For currency (night takeoffs/landings), the period is 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise.

Common mistake: Confusing the two definitions of 'night.' Logging night flight time uses civil twilight, but night landing currency uses the sunset+1/sunrise-1 definition. They are different time windows.

Rule: A flight with a landing at a point other than the departure airport. For certificate/rating requirements, the distance must be >50 nm from departure. For logging purposes (and airline hours), any flight with a landing at another airport counts.

Common mistake: Not logging short cross-country flights. ANY flight landing at a different airport can be logged as cross-country time. The 50nm requirement only applies to meeting certificate requirements (PPL, IR, CPL), not for general logging.

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Audit Your Totals Before Applying

Go through every page and verify the math. Ensure page carry-forwards match. Cross-reference your paper totals against your electronic logbook. Any discrepancy over 5-10 hours will raise questions. Fix errors before submitting applications.

Prepare a Summary Spreadsheet

Create a one-page summary with totals for: Total Time, PIC, SIC, Multi-Engine, Turbine, Turbojet, Night, Actual Instrument, Simulated Instrument, Cross-Country, and last 6/12/24 months of flying. Airlines often request this exact breakdown on their application.

Tab and Organize Your Books

Use colored tabs to mark: first entry, first solo, each certificate/rating earned, current flying, and endorsement pages. This shows organization and makes it easy for the interviewer to find key milestones.

Fix Any Corrections Neatly

If you have corrections, ensure they are done properly: single line through the error, correction written clearly, initialed and dated. If your earlier logbooks are messy, consider starting a new clean paper logbook for your most recent flying while keeping the originals.

Print Electronic Reports in Airline Format

If your primary logbook is electronic, print it in Jeppesen format (the industry standard for airline interviews). ForeFlight, LogTen Pro, and MyFlightbook all support this. Bring the printed version AND have the app available on your tablet.

Never Leave Originals Behind

Some airlines ask to photocopy logbook pages. That is fine. But NEVER leave your original logbooks with anyone. They are irreplaceable. Bring photocopies of the most recent 6 months to leave with the airline if requested.