Logging PIC time seems like a picnic until you actually dive into the rules. Then it quickly turns into a bit of a jungle. This post cuts through the confusion. No matter if you are a fresh pilot or if you’ve been around for a while, here's a clear and trustworthy guide to logging PIC time the right way with zero fluff and straight answers from someone who's been there.

This post cuts through the confusion. No matter if you are a fresh pilot or if you’ve been around for a while, here's a clear and trustworthy guide to logging PIC time the right way with zero fluff and straight answers from someone who's been there.

What Is PIC Time?

Pilot-in-Command time is flight time where you are in charge. It’s when you are either legally responsible for the flight, the sole manipulator of the controls (if qualified), or flying under specific training provisions that allow it. But the exact definition and the situations where you’re allowed to log it vary depending on whether you’re flying under FAA or EASA regulations.

Under FAA Rules

The FAA allows pilots to log PIC time in three main situations:

1. When you are the sole occupant of the aircraft
2. When you are sole manipulator of the controls and hold the appropriate category/class rating
3. When you are acting as PIC of an aircraft that requires more than one pilot

Sole Occupant
If you’re flying alone, you’re clearly the PIC. This applies to student solos, private pilots, or any solo flight. Even student pilots can log PIC during solo flights, because they’re the only one onboard.

Sole Manipulator
If you are flying with an instructor and you’re rated in that aircraft category/class, you can log PIC for the time you’re the one actually controlling the aircraft — even if your instructor is legally acting as PIC.

Acting as PIC (Required Crew)
If the aircraft requires two pilots, or you’re operating under conditions that require a second crew member (like a safety pilot during simulated instrument flight), the pilot acting in that role can log PIC.

Common Misunderstanding
Under FAA rules, both the instructor and student can sometimes log PIC time on the same flight for different reasons. The instructor logs PIC because they’re legally responsible, and the student logs PIC because they’re the sole manipulator of the controls (and rated).

Under EASA Rules

EASA is much stricter. Only one person can log PIC on a flight, and that person must be legally acting as the PIC — the one who is ultimately responsible for the flight.

There are two exceptions where a pilot can log PIC under supervision:

• PICUS (Pilot-in-Command Under Supervision)
• SPIC (Student Pilot-in-Command)

These categories allow a co-pilot or student to log PIC time with limitations, and only when the flight is supervised and endorsed by an instructor or captain.

Common Misunderstanding
EASA pilots often think they can log PIC just because they’re flying the plane. Not true. Unless it’s a solo flight or clearly marked as PICUS or SPIC, the instructor or captain is the only one logging PIC.

PIC Time During Instruction

FAA: If you’re receiving instruction in an aircraft that you’re rated for, and you’re manipulating the controls, you can log PIC. The instructor will also log dual given and may log PIC if they’re acting as legal PIC.

EASA: Unless it’s a solo flight, SPIC, or PICUS, the instructor logs PIC, and the student logs dual received.

Pro Tip: If you fly under both systems, annotate these flights carefully. What counts as PIC in an FAA logbook might not be accepted as PIC under EASA — especially if you’re applying for a license conversion or job.

Logging PIC in Multi-Crew Aircraft

FAA: If the aircraft requires two pilots, and you’re acting as PIC, you log PIC. If you’re the First Officer, you generally log SIC — unless you're flying under circumstances like being the sole manipulator of controls in a training flight.

EASA: Only the designated PIC logs PIC. A co-pilot can log SIC, or PICUS if the proper supervision and authorization are in place.

Important: In airline logbooks, you’ll often see SICs who’ve logged time as PICUS during line training. This is legit — but make sure the PIC has signed it off. No signature, no PICUS.

What About Sim Time?

FAA: You can log PIC in a simulator if the flight sim session meets certain training objectives (like for a type rating or recurrent training) and you are acting as PIC for the session.

EASA: Same idea. You can log PIC in a simulator session only if it replicates a scenario where you would be PIC and the training program allows for it.

Always label simulator entries clearly, and don’t mix them with actual flight time.

Checklist: Can I Log PIC for This Flight?

• Am I the only person on board? → Yes (FAA and EASA)
• Am I legally the PIC? → Yes (FAA and EASA)
• Am I a student flying solo? → Yes (FAA and EASA)
• Am I rated and flying the controls with an instructor? → Yes (FAA), No (EASA unless SPIC)
• Am I a co-pilot under supervision? → Yes, as PICUS (EASA) if signed
• Am I flying solo with passengers? → Yes (FAA and EASA)

Final Thoughts

PIC time is your logbook’s currency. It reflects your responsibility, your experience, and your readiness for more advanced flying. But logging it wrong — or misunderstanding what counts — can cause trouble later.

Take a moment after each flight to be sure. If you’re ever in doubt, add a note in the remarks explaining the situation. That one line might save you from a licensing delay or a checkride question in the future.

And if you want a logbook that helps you log PIC properly and feel good about your numbers, well, that’s what Vogel Log was built for.