FAA Flight Instructor Airplane (FIA)Regulations (14 CFR 61/91)Hard
A certificated flight instructor provides flight instruction in an airplane to a private pilot who holds a rating for that make and model and manipulates the flight controls throughout the entire flight. According to 14 CFR 61.51(f), how may the flight instructor log this flight time?
- AAs second-in-command time, since another rated pilot was flying
- BAs pilot-in-command time, because the instructor was acting as the required flight instructor for the flight
- CAs dual received time only, since the instructor did not manipulate the controls
- DThe instructor may not log any flight time for this flight
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. As pilot-in-command time, because the instructor was acting as the required flight instructor for the flight
Under 61.51(f), a certificated flight instructor may log PIC time for the entire flight during which they act as the required instructor, regardless of who is manipulating the controls, provided the instructor is rated in the aircraft. This is distinct from logging PIC time solely as sole manipulator.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. SIC logging requires a type-certificated aircraft requiring two pilots; that is not the case here.
- C. Dual received applies to the student, not to the instructor giving instruction.
- D. The instructor may and should log this time as PIC.
CFI Logging PIC Time (61.51(f))
A flight instructor may log PIC time for any flight in which they act as the required instructor of record, even if not manipulating the controls, as long as they are rated in that aircraft.
- Applies when instructor is 'acting as PIC' by regulation/operational necessity
- Independent of who is the sole manipulator of controls
- Student simultaneously logs the time as dual received
Memory trick: 'Instructing = commanding' — CFIs log PIC even hands-off.