I've logged over 15,700 hrs; less than 2000 of that is "actual instrument". This whole 'instrument time' is bogus...it goes back to the '30's, when Doolittle 'flew blind' for the first time, and most time was logged either visual, or dead. Of course...you fly on autopilot 'in clouds'...instrument? How about at night, with no moon? Do you use instruments, even though you see lights on the ground? Of course...does that mean 'night VMC' is...actually...'instrument time', even when on autopilot? How about 9 hours at FL350, on autopilot? This whole 'Instrument Time' is archaic; I suggest you log whatever you need to qualify for whatever you need...once you are IFR qualified, the concept of 'Instrument Time' should be superfluous. This is one 'pencil whip' I think in order. Sam