Logging of FAA PIC time for flights conducted outside the USA
 

G'day,

Looking at getting my FAA ATP - just a question about logging flight time, specifically PIC time, outside the USA.

Under the FAA regulations, one can log "sole manipulator PIC" if we are licence and rated for the class and category of aircraft, and sole manipulator of the controls, even if we aren't acting PIC.

Say I was a Australian PPL licensed pilot, doing a dual navigation exercise with a Australian instructor in Australia. I am the sole manipulator of the controls but the instructor is "acting PIC".

If I was to then later on, apply for a FAA ATP (or other FAA certificate), would I be able to count those flights towards the PIC requirement under 61.51 "sole manipulator PIC"?

My interpretation is yes, given 61.51 does not stipulate that the flight must be conducted in the US or under a FAA licence. But I can't find a specific answer and wanted to see if anyone else had any experience here.

Thanks everyone.

There is no “acting PIC” as far as I know, defined in the FAA FAR’s. What others have done, me included, is keep two log books. One where the flight time is per CASA regs and the other per FAA regs. Otherwise, it’ll just be a major PITA when it comes to doing a check.

As far as I know the only time two pilots can log PIC, is with a CFI (just an instructor, in FAA land) sitting in the other seat and only then when you’re appropriately rated for the particular category, class and type.

And to answer your question, yes you can count it because under the FAA regs you can log PIC. Remember though, there’s also the definition of what counts as “cross country” in the US. I’ve seen DPE’s get the student pull out a foreign chart and prove the straight line distance met the requirements.

Then this article may be an eye opener for you -

https://www.aopa.org/training-and-sa...mmand-pic-time

Thanks but not really a major concern for me anymore.Thank God. Probably more useful for the original poster.