Can I log that?

Its a fairly common question, and on the surface the answer often seems obvious enough. Part 61 in the FARs covers the rules for what time can be logged in what manner. A common source of confusion is whether or not time can be logged as PIC time. What is very important is to realize that there is a difference between logging PIC time and acting as PIC. There are situations where you can be the acting PIC but not be able to log the time as PIC, and many situations where you are not the acting PIC but can legally log the time as PIC. How to tell? Well a good reading through FAR 61.51 is a good place to start. 61.51 (e) is the reg that deals with logging PIC time:

(e) Logging pilot-in-command flight time. (1) A sport, recreational, private, or
commercial pilot may log pilot-in-command time only for that flight time during
which that person—
(i) Is the sole manipulator of the controls of an aircraft for which the pilot is rated or has privileges;
(ii) Is the sole occupant of the aircraft; or
(iii) Except for a recreational pilot, is acting as pilot in command of an aircraft on which more than one pilot is required under the type certification of the aircraft or the regulations under which the flight is conducted.
(2) An airline transport pilot may log as pilot-in-command time all of the flight time while acting as pilot-in-command of an operation requiring an airline transport pilot certificate.
(3) An authorized instructor may log as pilot-in-command time all flight time while
acting as an authorized instructor.
(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 current solo flight endorsement as required under §61.87 of this part; and
(iii) Is undergoing training for a pilot certificate or rating.

All seems simple enough, right?? A couple common examples:

Pilot 1 is Complex endorsed Private Pilot Airplane Single Engine Land, and fully qualified and current. Pilot 2 is also a Private Pilot Single Engine Land, no Complex endorsement,and does not have a current Flight Review or Medical. Pilot 1 and 2 go fly in the Arrow. Pilot 1 is kind enough to let Pilot 2 fly the airplane for part of their trip. How does this portion of the trip get logged?

Pilot 1 - Since Pilot 1 is fully qualified and Pilot 2 is not, Pilot 1 is obviously the ACTING PIC for the entire flight. Pilot 1 is ultimately responsible for safety of flight at all times. The only time that can be logged as PIC, however, is the portion in which Pilot 1 is Sole Manipulator of the controls. Because Pilot 1 is not the sole occupant and the operation does not require 2 pilots, that is the only logging option.

Pilot 2 - Even though Pilot 2 is in no way legal to ACT as PIC, the time spent as sole manipulator fo the controls can be logged as PIC time.

Example 2: Safety Pilots

Pilot 1 is qualified and current Private Pilot ASEL, as is Pilot 2. Pilot 1 will be flying with a view limiting device while Pilot 2 will be acting as the Safety Pilot, as required by regulation. There are two ways this can be logged:

1) Pilot 1 is the ACTING PIC, and therefore according to 61.51 (e) (iii) is allowed to log the entire time under the hood as PIC. Time logged not under the hood depends on the Sole Manipulator rule. In this case, Pilot 2 logs Second in Command (SIC) time for the period that Pilot 1 is using the view limiting device.

2) Pilot 2 agrees to be the ACTING PIC before the flight, and is therefore responsible for the safe outcome of the flight. In this case Pilot 1 logs PIC time based on the sole manipulator rule and Pilot 2 logs PIC time for the period that Pilot 1 is using the view limiting device according to 61.51 (e) (iii). Both pilots get PIC time in this case.

Here is a link to a flowchart which can help you easily decide if your flight time can be logged as PIC time. This chart only covers the basics, but answers most of the questions that come up in normal flying: http://webpages.charter.net/edfred/LoggingPIC.pdf