The FAA regulates logging time in FAR 61.51. There are plenty of questions about logging PIC time, as well as SIC time. Another type remains: what can be logged as total time? It's only mentioned once:
Total flight time or lesson time.
"Total time" isn't an officially defined term as far as I know. Most people seem to use it to mean "total flight time", i.e. the total of their PIC, SIC and flight training time (excluding simulator training).
In general, you can log and count whatever you want in your logbook provided that you log at least the items required in 61.51(a):
(a) Training time and aeronautical experience. Each person must document and record the following time in a manner acceptable to the Administrator:
(1) Training and aeronautical experience used to meet the requirements for a certificate, rating, or flight review of this part.
(2) The aeronautical experience required for meeting the recent flight experience requirements of this part.
So, the bottom line is that "total time" is whatever you want it to be, and if you want to log 'fun time' in aircraft that you aren't qualified to fly then go ahead; the time just won't count for anything as far as the FAA is concerned.
As for your two scenarios:
$\begingroup$ Ad 2, being PIC and logging PIC are two different things. Logging PIC is really more logging PF. If I remember the other answers around this correctly, in this case you are PIC, but can't log it. $\endgroup$
Commented Feb 14, 2017 at 8:00$\begingroup$ I downvoted this answer because it strongly implies that logging PIC time is related to acting as PIC. It is not. $\endgroup$
Commented Oct 28, 2018 at 19:09 $\begingroup$ I have now upvoted this answer; thanks for editing it to clarify :) $\endgroup$ Commented Nov 5, 2018 at 3:57 $\begingroup$ @TannerSwett No problem, thanks for helping me to improve it! $\endgroup$ Commented Nov 5, 2018 at 4:25 $\begingroup$There is a difference between total flight time and total time. The FARs do not define total time but they do define a term called pilot time.
61.1: Pilot time means that time in which a person— (i) Serves as a required pilot flight crewmember; (ii) Receives training from an authorized instructor in an aircraft, flight simulator, or flight training device; or (iii) Gives training as an authorized instructor in an aircraft, flight simulator, or flight training device.
Total flight time is defined as
1.1: Flight time means: (1) Pilot time that commences when an aircraft moves under its own power for the purpose of flight and ends when the aircraft comes to rest after landing; or (2) For a glider without self-launch capability, pilot time that commences when the glider is towed for the purpose of flight and ends when the glider comes to rest after landing.
61.51 deals with logging time. In your first example, the airplane is type certificated for a single pilot, you are not performing any operation requiring more than one pilot (i.e. safety pilot) so you cannot log PIC, SIC. I might log pilot time but not total flight time.
In your second example, while the non rated friend is flying you cannot log PIC or total flight time but may be able to log pilot time.
You only need to worry about total time when applying for an ATP certificate as that certificate calls for total time not total flight time.
answered Sep 1, 2015 at 3:01 12.9k 7 7 gold badges 39 39 silver badges 82 82 bronze badges $\begingroup$BEST ANSWER - "Total-time" as in a "total" of your subsets of flight-time.
Padding the total without a subset creates a false/fraudulent representation of your experience. (A false entry becomes fraud after you deceive someone with it).
Once found out you could be sued for wages and training costs. You would definitely be a scapegoat in the event of an accident.
By definition this is not "pilot-time" "flight-time" nor "aeronautical-experience"(14 CFR 61.1).
The FAA previously ruled that since false entries were "capable of influencing" decisions pilot logbooks need to be free of "knowing misrepresentations of fact". (Cassis v. Helms)
Finally, I would caution you not to forget that in 61.51(a) the FAA placed the catch all phrase "in a manner acceptable to the Administrator". Just like the term "careless and reckless" it is subjective enough to warrant restraint.
answered Nov 13, 2020 at 19:00 21 1 1 bronze badge $\begingroup$In "wbeard52"'s answer he seems to state you can log "Pilot Time" when you are not PIC or SIC..I am confused by his response. But to be clear you should note that one is either PIC, SIC, Student or a passenger. A passenger by definition cannot log pilot time, flight time or aeronautical experience). "Pilot Time" as defined by 61.1 will not allow you to log time unless you are part of a required flight crew. I am not talking about the insurance company or the CEO's requirement for two pilots. Their desire is not a requirement per the FAA. Per regs, Other than in a training environment, the ONLY time you can log "pilot time" in an aircraft is if you are crew as defined by the type certificate or applicable FAA regs.
I wouldn’t be so quick to designate between FAA time vs some BS unsubstantiated total-time. Logically if it is wrong to put forth a false record to the FAA then it is equally wrong to put forth a false record of experience to an employer or the public.
CFR 61.59(2) Any fraudulent or intentionally false entry in any logbook, record, or report that is required to be kept, made, or used to show compliance with any requirement for the issuance or exercise of the privileges of any certificate, rating, or authorization under this part;
Simplified: ANY fraudulent or intentionally false entry in ANY report used to show compliance with ANY requirement for the exercise of the privileges..
“any report” does not exclude non-FAA reports such as a resume, or an insurance form.
“any requirement” does not exclude non-FAA requirements such as insurance or employer requirements.
CFR 61.133 and 61.113 both define the “privilege” of the respective certificates as acting as pilot
In a nut shell, if you assert an unsubstantiated level of aeronautical experience in order to fly, then you are likely in violation of the FARs.