What conditions are necessary to log actual instrument flight time?
What conditions are necessary to log actual instrument flight time? (1) A person may log instrument time only for that flight time when the person operates the aircraft solely by reference to instruments under actual or simulated instrument flight conditions.
When can you log flight time?
A pilot, whether acting as PIC or not, may log PIC time anytime in which he/she is sole manipulator of the controls of an aircraft for which he/she is rated (FAR 61.51). This is true regardless of weather conditions, whether VFR or IFR, simulated or actual.
Can I log simulated instrument time with a safety pilot?
FAR 91.109 (c)(1) says that during simulated instrument conditions, a control seat must be occupied by a pilot rated for the aircraft. Put them together and the sole manipulator can log PIC time, and the safety pilot acting as PIC can also log PIC time.
What counts as actual instrument time?
Instrument time is, as you say, when flight is conducted solely by reference to instruments. This can further be broken down into actual and simulated time. Actual time is when you are flying in cloud or visibility below VFR minimums and cannot navigate by visual references.
Does ATD instrument time count?
Log it as “ground trainer” time or “ATD” time in your logbook. It can count for instrument currency, too! *However, While you can log as much as you fly, the FAA limits the amount of ATD time you can use as credit towards certification minimums.