# 14 CFR 61.51: Pilot logbooks

> You must log the training and experience you use for a certificate, rating, flight review or currency. Each entry needs the date, time, where you departed and arrived, the aircraft, the kind of time (solo, PIC, dual) and the conditions (day, night, instrument).

Source: https://www.aerscheduler.com/regulations/61-51
Official text: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/section-61.51 (eCFR, current as of 2026-10-15; section last amended 2025-01-21)

## In plain English

- Log the time you use for a certificate, rating, flight review or recent experience. [(a)](https://www.aerscheduler.com/regulations/61-51#a)
- Each entry: date, total time, departure and arrival points, aircraft type and identification, and the safety pilot's name if one was required. [(b)(1)](https://www.aerscheduler.com/regulations/61-51#b-1)
- Solo time is only time you are the sole occupant. [(d)](https://www.aerscheduler.com/regulations/61-51#d)
- Log PIC time when you are the sole manipulator of the controls of an aircraft you are rated for, the sole occupant, or the instructor giving instruction. A student logs PIC only when solo with a current endorsement. [(e)](https://www.aerscheduler.com/regulations/61-51#e-1)
- Log instrument time only when flying solely by reference to instruments, and record each approach's location and type for currency. [(g)](https://www.aerscheduler.com/regulations/61-51#g-1)
- Training time is endorsed by the instructor with signature, certificate number and expiration or recent experience end date. [(h)(2)](https://www.aerscheduler.com/regulations/61-51#h-2)
- A student pilot carries the logbook and student certificate on every solo cross-country. [(i)(2)](https://www.aerscheduler.com/regulations/61-51#i-2)

## Common questions

**Can a safety pilot log PIC time?**

Often, yes. When the other pilot is under the hood, the safety pilot is a required crewmember under 91.109, so they can log PIC if they act as pilot in command, or SIC under (f)(2) in some cases.

**Does my logbook have to be paper?**

Paragraph (a) asks for a manner acceptable to the Administrator, and electronic logbooks are widely accepted.

## Official text of 14 CFR 61.51

Pilot logbooks.

(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).

## Related

- [14 CFR 61.57: Currency: recent flight experience](https://www.aerscheduler.com/regulations/61-57.md)
- [14 CFR 61.56: The flight review](https://www.aerscheduler.com/regulations/61-56.md)
- [14 CFR 61.189: Records a flight instructor must keep](https://www.aerscheduler.com/regulations/61-189.md)

_The plain-English summary is AerScheduler's reading of the rule, not legal advice. The official text above is the eCFR's, published by the Office of the Federal Register; the eCFR is the current text._