From: geoff@peck.com (Geoff Peck)
Newsgroups: rec.aviation
Subject: Re: Logging PIC (sorry ... sigh )
Keywords: PIC, logging
Date: 27 Sep 92 19:34:34 GMT
Organization: Geoffrey G. Peck, Consultant, San Jose CA

Aargh.  The logging question again.  Definitively, now:

(1)  *Logging* PIC has *nothing* to do with *acting* as PIC.

(2)  You may log PIC whenever you are the sole manipulator of the controls
     in an aircraft for which you are rated.

(3)  A high performance endorsement is an endorsement, not a rating.
     "Airplane Single Engine Land" is a rating.

(4)  The presence or absence of an instrument rating does not affect the
     classes of aircraft for which a pilot is rated.

(5)  Recency of experience has nothing to do with whether or not you may
     log PIC.
    
(6)  A valid medical has nothing to do with whether or not you may log
     PIC.

So, to try to make this excruciatingly clear for the cases thus far
mentioned:

When you are flying (manipulating the controls) a single-engine landplane
(for example) after you get your private pilot, airplane single engine
land rating (for example), you should log all such time as pilot in
command.  This applies:

 o  whether or not you are flying a high-performance airplane and
    whether or not you hold a high-performance endorsement
 o  whether or not the flight is conducted in instrument conditions and
    whether or not you hold an instrument rating or you are instrument
    current
 o  whether or not you are have the required recency of experience
    ("currency") to act as pilot in command for the airplane
 o  whether or not an instructor is present in the airplane
 o  whether or not you have a current medical

Note that this applies to _logging_ PIC.  _Acting_ as PIC is very
different:

 o  you cannot act as PIC in a high-performance aircraft unless you
    have a valid high-performance endorsement
 o  you cannot act as PIC on an instrument flight plan or in instrument
    conditions unless you hold an instrument rating and are instrument
    current
 o  you cannot act as PIC while carrying passengers unless you meet
    the recency of experience requirements (takeoffs and landings)
 o  you cannot act as PIC unless you hold a current medical of the
    class appropriate to the type of operation being performed

If you cannot act as PIC, but wish to fly an airplane, you merely need to
have another pilot who meets the appropriate requirements and is willing
to go along with you and act as PIC.  That pilot may or may not be an
instructor.

If you do have an instructor who is along with you, and the instructor is
giving you instruction, you will typically log the flight (or possibly
that portion of the flight) as dual instruction received.
You, the pilot, are responsible for ensuring that your logbook reflects
your flying time accurately.  If an instructor neglects to fill in the
pilot-in-command column on a particular flight, you should feel free to
fill that column in on your own.  You need not initial such entries or
make any other notations -- just fill it in.  That's _your_ signature at
the bottom of the page, certifying that the entire page is true and
correct.

						Geoff
Newsgroups: rec.aviation