Pilot logbooks14 CFR 61.51 Pilot logbooks
You must record the training and experience you use to meet certificate, rating and flight review requirements, and the experience you use for recent flight experience. Each entry needs the date, total time, departure and arrival points, aircraft type and identification, the type of experience and the conditions of flight.
By the ATIS Alerts team · Updated October 15, 2026 · Regulation text current as of October 14, 2026. A study aid based on the official regulation text, not legal advice or an FAA interpretation.
At a glance
- Record training and aeronautical experience used for a certificate, rating or flight review, and experience used for recent flight experience requirements (a).
- Each flight or lesson needs the date, total time, departure and arrival locations, aircraft type and identification, and the safety pilot's name if 91.109 requires one (b)(1).
- Solo time is only time when you are the sole occupant of the aircraft (d).
- A private pilot may log pilot in command time when sole manipulator of the controls of an aircraft for which the pilot is rated, or when sole occupant (e)(1).
- A student pilot may log pilot in command time only when sole occupant, holding a solo endorsement under 61.87 and training for a certificate or rating (e)(4).
- For instrument currency under 61.57(c), record the location and type of each approach and the safety pilot's name if required (g)(3).
In plain English
Section 61.51 sets what goes in your logbook and how certain kinds of time may be logged. Paragraph (a) requires you to document and record, in a manner acceptable to the Administrator, the training and aeronautical experience you use to meet the requirements for a certificate, rating or flight review, and the experience you use to meet recent flight experience requirements. Paragraph (b) lists the entries for each flight or lesson: date, total time, where you departed and arrived, the aircraft type and identification, the type of experience (solo, pilot in command, second in command, training received) and the conditions (day or night, actual or simulated instrument).
Solo time is only flight time when you are the sole occupant of the aircraft (d). A sport, recreational, private, commercial or airline transport pilot may log pilot in command time when sole manipulator of the controls of an aircraft for which the pilot is rated, when sole occupant, or in the other cases listed in (e)(1). A flight instructor may log pilot in command time while serving as the authorized instructor if rated to act as pilot in command of that aircraft (e)(3). A student pilot may log pilot in command time only when sole occupant (or in the airship case the text describes), holding a solo endorsement under 61.87, and undergoing training for a certificate or rating (e)(4).
Instrument time may be logged only while operating the aircraft solely by reference to instruments under actual or simulated instrument flight conditions (g)(1). Approaches used for instrument currency under 61.57(c) must be recorded with the location and type of each approach and the safety pilot's name if required (g)(3). Training time from an authorized instructor must be endorsed by that instructor with a description of the training, the length of the lesson, and the instructor's signature, certificate number and certificate expiration date or recent experience end date (h)(2).
Paragraph (i) covers presenting records. You must present your pilot certificate, medical certificate, logbook or other required records on a reasonable request by the Administrator, an authorized NTSB representative, or a federal, state or local law enforcement officer. A student pilot must carry the logbook, student pilot certificate and any other required record on every solo cross-country flight (i)(2), and a sport pilot must carry the logbook or other evidence of required endorsements on all flights (i)(3).
Common mistakes
- Logging solo time with an instructor or passenger aboard. Solo means sole occupant (d).
- A student pilot logging dual instruction as pilot in command time. Student pilot in command time requires being the sole occupant with a solo endorsement (e)(4).
- Leaving the logbook at home on a student solo cross-country. It must be carried along with the student pilot certificate (i)(2).
- Recording approaches for currency without the location and type of each one (g)(3).
The official text
14 CFR 61.51 as published on the eCFR, current as of October 14, 2026.
Link to an amendment published at 89 FR 80050, Oct. 1, 2024.
(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.
(b) Logbook entries. For the purposes of meeting the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section, each person must enter the following information for each flight or lesson logged:
(1) General—
(i) Date.
(ii) Total flight time or lesson time.
(iii) Location where the aircraft departed and arrived, or for lessons in a full flight simulator or flight training device, the location where the lesson occurred.
(iv) Type and identification of aircraft, full flight simulator, flight training device, or aviation training device, as appropriate.
(v) The name of a safety pilot, if required by § 91.109 of this chapter.
(2) Type of pilot experience or training—
(i) Solo.
(ii) Pilot in command.
(iii) Second in command.
(iv) Flight and ground training received from an authorized instructor.
(v) Training received in a full flight simulator, flight training device, or aviation training device from an authorized instructor.
(3) Conditions of flight—
(i) Day or night.
(ii) Actual instrument.
(iii) Simulated instrument conditions in flight, a full flight simulator, flight training device, or aviation training device.
(iv) Use of night vision goggles in an aircraft in flight, in a full flight simulator, or in a flight training device.
(c) Logging of pilot time. The pilot time described in this section may be used to:
(1) Apply for a certificate or rating issued under this part or a privilege authorized under this part; or
(2) Satisfy the recent flight experience requirements of this part.
(d) Logging of solo flight time. Except for a student pilot performing the duties of pilot in command of an airship requiring more than one pilot flight crewmember, a pilot may log as solo flight time only that flight time when the pilot is the sole occupant of the aircraft.
(e) Logging pilot-in-command flight time. (1) A sport, recreational, private, commercial, or airline transport pilot may log pilot in command flight time for flights-
(i) Except when logging flight time under § 61.159(c), when the pilot is the sole manipulator of the controls of an aircraft for which the pilot is rated, or has sport pilot privileges for that category and class of aircraft, if the aircraft class rating is appropriate;
(ii) When the pilot is the sole occupant in the aircraft;
(iii) When the pilot, except for a holder of a sport or recreational pilot certificate, acts as pilot in command of an aircraft for which more than one pilot is required under the type certification of the aircraft or the regulations under which the flight is conducted; or
(iv) When the pilot performs the duties of pilot in command while under the supervision of a qualified pilot in command provided—
(A) The pilot performing the duties of pilot in command holds a commercial or airline transport pilot certificate and aircraft rating that is appropriate to the category and class of aircraft being flown, if a class rating is appropriate;
(B) The pilot performing the duties of pilot in command is undergoing an approved pilot in command training program that includes ground and flight training on the following areas of operation—
( 1) Preflight preparation;
( 2) Preflight procedures;
( 3) Takeoff and departure;
( 4) In-flight maneuvers;
( 5) Instrument procedures;
( 6) Landings and approaches to landings;
( 7) Normal and abnormal procedures;
( 8) Emergency procedures; and
( 9) Postflight procedures;
(C) The supervising pilot in command holds—
( 1) A commercial pilot certificate and flight instructor certificate, and aircraft rating that is appropriate to the category, class, and type of aircraft being flown, if a class or type rating is required; or
( 2) An airline transport pilot certificate and aircraft rating that is appropriate to the category, class, and type of aircraft being flown, if a class or type rating is required; and
(D) The supervising pilot in command logs the pilot in command training in the pilot's logbook, certifies the pilot in command training in the pilot's logbook and attests to that certification with his or her signature, and flight instructor certificate number.
(2) If rated to act as pilot in command of the aircraft, an airline transport pilot may log all flight time while acting as pilot in command of an operation requiring an airline transport pilot certificate.
(3) A certificated flight instructor may log pilot in command flight time for all flight time while serving as the authorized instructor in an operation if the instructor is rated to act as pilot in command of that aircraft.
(4) A student pilot may log pilot-in-command time only when the student pilot—
(i) Is the sole occupant of the aircraft or is performing the duties of pilot of command of an airship requiring more than one pilot flight crewmember;
(ii) Has a solo flight endorsement as required under § 61.87 of this part; and
(iii) Is undergoing training for a pilot certificate or rating.
(5) A commercial pilot or airline transport pilot may log all flight time while acting as pilot in command of an operation in accordance with § 135.99(c) of this chapter if the flight is conducted in accordance with an approved second-in-command professional development program that meets the requirements of § 135.99(c) of this chapter.
(f) Logging second-in-command flight time. A person may log second-in-command time only for that flight time during which that person:
(1) Is qualified in accordance with the second-in-command requirements of § 61.55, and occupies a crewmember station in an aircraft that requires more than one pilot by the aircraft's type certificate;
(2) Holds the appropriate category, class, and instrument rating (if a class or instrument rating is required for the flight) for the aircraft being flown, and more than one pilot is required under the type certification of the aircraft or the regulations under which the flight is being conducted; or
(3) Serves as second-in-command in operations conducted in accordance with § 135.99(c) of this chapter when a second pilot is not required under the type certification of the aircraft or the regulations under which the flight is being conducted, provided the requirements in § 61.159(c) are satisfied; or
(4) Is designated by a government entity as second-in-command when operating in accordance with paragraph (j)(4) of this section, provided the aircraft used is a large aircraft or turbo-jet powered airplane or holds or originally held a type certificate that requires a second pilot provided that:
(i) Second-in-command time logged under this paragraph (f)(4) may not be used to meet the aeronautical experience requirements for the private or commercial pilot certificates or an instrument rating; and
(ii) An applicant for an airline transport pilot certificate who logs second in command time under this paragraph (f)(4) in an aircraft that is not type certificated for two pilots issued an airline transport pilot certificate with the limitation “Holder does not meet the pilot in command aeronautical experience requirements of ICAO,” as prescribed under Article 39 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation if the applicant does not meet the ICAO requirements contained in Annex 1 “Personnel Licensing” to the Convention on International Civil Aviation. An applicant is entitled to an airline transport pilot certificate without the ICAO limitation specified under this paragraph (f)(4)(ii) when the applicant presents satisfactory evidence of having met the ICAO requirements and otherwise meets the aeronautical experience requirements of § 61.159 or § 61.161, as applicable.
(g) Logging instrument time. (1) A person may log instrument time only for that flight time when the person operates the aircraft solely by reference to instruments under actual or simulated instrument flight conditions.
(2) An authorized instructor may log instrument time when conducting instrument flight instruction in actual instrument flight conditions.
(3) For the purposes of logging instrument time to meet the recent instrument experience requirements of § 61.57(c) of this part, the following information must be recorded in the person's logbook—
(i) The location and type of each instrument approach accomplished; and
(ii) The name of the safety pilot, if required.
(4) A person may use time in a full flight simulator, flight training device, or aviation training device for acquiring instrument aeronautical experience for a pilot certificate or rating provided an authorized instructor is present to observe that time and signs the person's logbook or training record to verify the time and the content of the training session.
(5) A person may use time in a full flight simulator, flight training device, or aviation training device for satisfying instrument recency experience requirements provided a logbook or training record is maintained to specify the training device, time, and the content.
(h) Logging training time. (1) A person may log training time when that person receives training from an authorized instructor in an aircraft, full flight simulator, flight training device, or aviation training device.
(2) The training time must be logged in a logbook and must:
(i) Be endorsed in a legible manner by the authorized instructor; and
(ii) Include a description of the training given, the length of the training lesson, and the authorized instructor's signature, certificate number, and certificate expiration date or recent experience end date, consistent with the requirements of § 61.197.
(i) Presentation of required documents. (1) Persons must present their pilot certificate, medical certificate, logbook, or any other record required by this part for inspection upon a reasonable request by—
(i) The Administrator;
(ii) An authorized representative from the National Transportation Safety Board; or
(iii) Any Federal, State, or local law enforcement officer.
(2) A student pilot must carry the following items in the aircraft on all solo cross-country flights as evidence of the required authorized instructor clearances and endorsements—
(i) Pilot logbook;
(ii) Student pilot certificate; and
(iii) Any other record required by this section.
(3) A sport pilot must carry his or her logbook or other evidence of required authorized instructor endorsements on all flights.
(4) A recreational pilot must carry his or her logbook with the required authorized instructor endorsements on all solo flights—
(i) That exceed 50 nautical miles from the airport at which training was received;
(ii) Within airspace that requires communication with air traffic control;
(iii) Conducted between sunset and sunrise; or
(iv) In an aircraft for which the pilot does not hold an appropriate category or class rating.
(5) A flight instructor with a sport pilot rating must carry his or her logbook or other evidence of required authorized instructor endorsements on all flights when providing flight training.
(j) Aircraft requirements for logging flight time. For a person to log flight time, the time must be acquired in an aircraft that is identified as an aircraft under § 61.5(b), and is—
(1) An aircraft of U.S. registry with either a standard or special airworthiness certificate;
(2) An aircraft of foreign registry with an airworthiness certificate that is approved by the aviation authority of a foreign country that is a Member State to the Convention on International Civil Aviation Organization;
(3) A military aircraft under the direct operational control of the U.S. Armed Forces; or
(4) An aircraft used to conduct a public aircraft operation under 49 U.S.C. 40102(a)(41) and 40125.
(k) Logging night vision goggle time. (1) A person may log night vision goggle time only for the time the person uses night vision goggles as the primary visual reference of the surface and operates:
(i) An aircraft during a night vision goggle operation; or
(ii) A full flight simulator or flight training device with the lighting system adjusted to represent the period beginning 1 hour after sunset and ending 1 hour before sunrise.
(2) An authorized instructor may log night vision goggle time when that person conducts training using night vision goggles as the primary visual reference of the surface and operates:
(i) An aircraft during a night goggle operation; or
(ii) A full flight simulator or flight training device with the lighting system adjusted to represent the period beginning 1 hour after sunset and ending 1 hour before sunrise.
(3) To log night vision goggle time to meet the recent night vision goggle experience requirements under § 61.57(f), a person must log the information required under § 61.51(b).
Test yourself
Practice questions from our free FAA written test prep that cite 14 CFR 61.51.
CFII Airplane
Instrument flight time may be logged when the pilot:
- A. operates the aircraft solely by reference to instruments, under actual or simulated instrument conditions.
- B. is on an IFR flight plan, regardless of conditions.
- C. is in controlled airspace above 18,000 feet.
- D. has an instrument rating and is flying at night.
Show answer
A. operates the aircraft solely by reference to instruments, under actual or simulated instrument conditions. It is about how the aircraft is being controlled, not the flight plan. A clear-day IFR flight logs no instrument time. The logbook must also record the location and type of each instrument approach and the safety pilot's name where applicable.
More CFII Airplane practice →CFI Helicopter
While giving flight training in a helicopter, an authorized instructor may log the time as:
- A. pilot-in-command time, because a certificated flight instructor may log PIC while acting as an authorized instructor.
- B. dual received, the same as the student.
- C. second-in-command time only.
- D. nothing: instructional time is not loggable flight time.
Show answer
A. pilot-in-command time, because a certificated flight instructor may log PIC while acting as an authorized instructor. An authorized instructor logs PIC for the time spent acting as instructor, regardless of who is manipulating the controls. The student simultaneously logs dual received: two pilots legitimately logging at once.
More CFI Helicopter practice →CFII Helicopter
An instructor giving instrument instruction in actual instrument conditions:
- A. may log instrument time for the instruction given in those conditions.
- B. may not log instrument time unless manipulating the controls.
- C. logs simulated instrument time only.
- D. must hold an ATP certificate to log the time.
Show answer
A. may log instrument time for the instruction given in those conditions. 61.51(g)(2) lets the authorized instructor log instrument time while conducting instrument instruction in actual conditions. The student logs instrument time only while operating the helicopter solely by reference to instruments.
More CFII Helicopter practice →CFI Helicopter
When a helicopter CFI gives a lesson to a certificated private pilot working on a commercial certificate, the correct logging is:
- A. the instructor logs PIC as authorized instructor; the trainee logs dual received, and may also log PIC for time as sole manipulator in a helicopter for which the trainee is rated.
- B. only one pilot may log any time on an instructional flight.
- C. the instructor logs dual given as SIC time.
- D. the trainee may not log PIC on any dual flight.
Show answer
A. the instructor logs PIC as authorized instructor; the trainee logs dual received, and may also log PIC for time as sole manipulator in a helicopter for which the trainee is rated. Both can legitimately log PIC: the instructor under 61.51(e)(3), the rated trainee as sole manipulator under 61.51(e)(1). This double-logging question follows instructors around forever: get it exactly right before teaching it.
More CFI Helicopter practice →
Questions pilots ask
What do I have to write in each logbook entry?
The date, total flight or lesson time, departure and arrival locations, aircraft type and identification, and the safety pilot's name if required by 91.109 (61.51(b)(1)). Also the type of experience, such as solo, pilot in command or training received (61.51(b)(2)), and the conditions, such as day or night and actual or simulated instrument (61.51(b)(3)).
When can I log pilot in command time?
A sport, recreational, private, commercial or airline transport pilot may log it when sole manipulator of the controls of an aircraft for which the pilot is rated, when sole occupant of the aircraft, and in the other cases listed in 61.51(e)(1).
Can a student pilot log pilot in command time?
Only when the student is the sole occupant of the aircraft (or performing pilot in command duties in an airship requiring more than one pilot), has a solo endorsement under 61.87, and is undergoing training for a certificate or rating (61.51(e)(4)).
What do I need to log for instrument currency?
Instrument time counts only while operating solely by reference to instruments in actual or simulated conditions (61.51(g)(1)). For 61.57(c) currency, record the location and type of each approach and the safety pilot's name if one is required (61.51(g)(3)). Time in a simulator or training device counts for recency if the record specifies the device, the time and the content (61.51(g)(5)).