Sharing time building with another pilot can cut your cost, but logging must be done carefully. In a single-pilot airplane, generally only the pilot acting as sole manipulator of the controls logs PIC. The cleanest method is to swap seats on the ground between legs, so each pilot flies and logs their own legs. Here is how to do it properly.
The Simple Rule
One leg, one pilot flying, one PIC entry. Swap on the ground.
Best Practices
- Agree who flies each leg before you start
- Both pilots keep matching records of who flew what
- Never switch pilots in flight to 'split' a leg
- Record Hobbs times per leg
Learn more on shared time building.
Frequently asked questions
Can both pilots log PIC at the same time?
In a single-pilot aircraft, generally no. Only the sole manipulator of the controls logs PIC under 14 CFR 61.51 in normal cases.
Can the non-flying pilot log anything?
Usually not as PIC in a single-pilot aircraft. They may note the flight as a remark, but it does not add to flight time totals.
Why do logbooks get checked closely?
Airlines review logbooks during hiring, and inconsistent shared entries can raise questions.