Commercial Training In The U.s.

[FlightSafety]

I was wondering if anyone has done their commercial training in the U.S. recently and converted to Canadian licecnces? I'm not sure whether to log time with my instrctor as PIC (FAA) or dual (Transport Canada).

 

[Laser]

I would suggest logging it as dual, since:
(i) if you take a conservative route you can't be criticized, but if you take the liberal approach there will always be some who will say that your logbook contains improper or false entries; and
(ii) notwithstanding that FAR §61.51 has been around for quite a while, there remains considerable controversy in the USA regarding exactly which circumstances merit logging time as PIC (as one small example, see generally this article).
Just my two cents.

 

[FlightSafety]

Thanks for your reply Swingline, I think you make a good point about taking the conservative approach. The last thing I want is to have to defend myself for logging PIC time during an interview. I guess logging it as dual just means I'm going to have to fly a few more cross-countries to build PIC time.

Can PIC time be logged in a twin if you are multi-rated but flying with an instructor? I'm not sure under what circumstances Transport Canada allows multi-time to be logged as PIC.

 

[Laser]

Hi FS,

Sure you can log it, provided only that you are:
(i) legally qualified to command multi-engine airplanes, and
(ii) actually acting as PIC.

In other words, to log PIC the instructor has to be considered just a passenger, and can't log any time him/herself. If you can negotiate that, great, although most instructors are jealous of their desire to log time, and many FBOs will not permit a rental pilot to rent a twin solo or with a passenger. 🙁

While this restrictive approach undoubtedly makes it difficult to acquire PIC time, really it all makes sense. Personally, I have always thought that it is a bit of a fraud to have two people simultaneously logging PIC: simple logic dictates that there can only be one commander at one time.

My rough definition would be: the PIC is the person who will take over in the event of an emergency, and who is ultimately answerable for the conduct and safety of the aircraft's flight. Usually that means the instructor; but just because someone is instructor rated doesn't prohibit them from going along for the ride, without any authority or responsibility (obviously, this must be agreed to prior to the flight, if the instructor-passenger will have access to the aircraft's controls).

Best of luck to you! You're better off asking these questions than just assuming it can't be done, or making questionable entries in your logbook (that would require a lot of Liquid Paper, if you are subsequently challenged!)

Swingline

P.S. In the U.K., they apparently have a category called "P1 under supervision", which I think is a bit of a non sequitur, but at least does away with the fiction of two aircraft commanders. See further this thread.