Instrument Time refers to controlling the aircraft by sole reference to the instruments ie not by looking out the window. Occurs when the aircraft is flown in Instrument Meteorogical Conditions (IMC) instead of Visual Meteorological Conditions. Can also be logged under simulated IMC ie when the pilot uses a view limiting device such as a hood, foggles, louvred screens (so the safety pilot can still see out) or two stage amber & blue screens.
Only that time during which the pilot is controlling the aircraft while under the hood can be logged, so take-off & landing periods aren't included nor any other period when the screens/hoods aren't in use. Time in a synthetic trainer or simulator can also be logged as IF if the device is flown by reference to its instruments and not by reference to any exterior graphics.
Oz licences require certain amounts of IF time as part of the prerequisites for the licence. It's included in the training syllabus for the licence with some proportion of synthetic trainer/simulator time allowable. Two hours minimum for the PPL with up to 1 hour allowed to be in a sim., for example.
Last edited by Tinstaafl; 1st July 2009 at 21:41.