Logging hours in C172
 

Hi.

I am new pilot (LAPL/A) and trying to get to know things as mush as I can. Right now I am confused how to log hours, even after I read FCL a couple times.

Let's say that me and my friend are flying together with C172 and I am PIC. Can he log hours under dual for our flight?

Keep in mind that we are under EASA.

Kind regards!

C172 is a single pilot aeroplane. One of you is P1, the other is a passenger.

Correct. In a 172, there is only one pilot, so one PIC, so one person logs the time as the pilot. An instructor providing instruction may allow the student to log their flying time on that flight as dual instruction, which means that the student is not logging as PIC. Once a student is licensed, they may (and should) log as PIC while they are the pilot of the plane. In the case of instruction with an instructor, discuss with the instructor in advance who is PIC and shall log the time, they will explain it to you - but there will still be only one pilot.

That said, it's your log book, and you can record what you want. But, if you log flying as a non pilot/PIC, you must not include this time in totals in application for insurance/currency/further license. There could be times where as a licensed pilot, you may fly under instruction/supervision, but cannot log the time, until you get that rating. Multi engine/Seaplane being two examples of what you might fly, but cannot log as PIC until you hold the rating.

By the time you get to a type in which you can log "co pilot" time, it will most likely be a type which requires a type rating, and of a commercial nature - you'll know when you're flying it!

Anze, which part of:

"Dual instruction time" means flight time or instrument ground time during which a person is receiving flight instruction from a properly authorised instructor."

needs clarification?

In case you dislike my tone, please understand that I opened the EASA FCL pdf file and made a search for "dual" with the above sentence being the first hit.

Thank you for explanations all!

FlightDetent no hard feelings from my side, here to learn anyway. I did not see that part (I did know that you pointed it out), I was checking the part with logging hours that explains everything, but this - for me at least.

Mystery in my head solved. Thank you!

Within the UK it is usual in PPL logbooks to have a single column entitled "Pilots Operating Capacity", "Dual" (this column does not define the role of the pilot and is used only to record the duration).and also the "Pilot in Command" column (these last two are duplicated to record flight at night) There are also many other columns, of course, but they are not in question here.

In the single operating capacity column you enter your role in the flight:i.e. pilot in command (P1*), pilot in command supervised (P1/s*), pilot under training (PUT*). You then enter into either the "dual" or the "PIC" column the duration. .Remember when entering the times and the duration a "flight" commences when the aircraft first moves under its own power with the intention of flight until it comes to a full stop after the flight.

Many clubs use a Datcom meter, which records the flight duration based on the engine time in tenths of an hour, but for charging purposes. This type of meter is activated on start up (oil pressure) and stops on shut down, It is common to use this duration for pilot logging purposes. To be fair It is churlish to nit pick on the differences that exists for simple aircraft operations. There are other types of meter in use that will record time differently.

* there are a range of abbreviated terms which have the same meaning, it matters little and does not cause concern. P1/s can only be logged when flying single pilot aeroplanes, for a successful skill test with an examiner.

see: FCL.020(a). FCL.050 Recording of flight time.