What counts as loggable instrument time under FAA regulations?

Under 14 CFR 61.51(g), a pilot may log instrument flight time only while operating the aircraft solely by reference to instruments, either in actual instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) or in a flight training device, aviation training device, or flight simulator approved for instrument training. Simply flying in IMC while looking outside does not qualify — you must actually be controlling the aircraft using only the flight instruments. The FAA's Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge clarifies that this time must be recorded accurately in the pilot's logbook with a notation of the conditions.

What are the FAA currency requirements for flying under IFR as a pilot in command?

Under 14 CFR 61.57(c), to act as pilot in command under IFR or in weather conditions less than VFR minimums, a pilot must have logged within the preceding six calendar months at least six instrument approaches, holding procedures and tasks, and intercepting and tracking courses through the use of navigational electronic systems. These requirements must be accomplished in the same category of aircraft (airplane, helicopter, etc.) for which instrument privileges are sought, or in an approved flight training device or simulator. If currency lapses, the pilot must pass an instrument proficiency check (IPC) with an authorized instructor or examiner before acting as PIC under IFR.

What's the difference between logging an instrument approach for currency versus logging it for a logbook record?

For currency purposes under 14 CFR 61.57(c), an instrument approach counts only if it is performed to the published minimums or lower, using the appropriate navigation system, and conducted in actual IMC or simulated instrument conditions under the hood with a safety pilot or in an approved training device. For general logbook recording purposes under 14 CFR 61.51, a pilot should log each instrument approach flown, noting the type of approach, location, and whether conditions were actual or simulated, to maintain an accurate record. The AIM and FAA guidance emphasize that approaches logged in a flight training device must be accomplished in an FAA-approved device and must meet the category requirements to be credited toward the six-approach currency requirement.

IFR Logging Requirements for Instrument Time and Approaches

Instrument flying demands a level of currency and proficiency that the FAA regulates carefully. Whether you are building hours toward an instrument rating, maintaining the currency you already hold, or preparing for an instrument proficiency check (IPC), knowing exactly what you may legally log—and what you may not—can make the difference between a legal flight and a certificate action. This article breaks down IFR logging requirements in plain English, grounded in 14 CFR Parts 61 and 91 and the Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.

Students sometimes assume that any time spent in clouds counts automatically, or that any approach in IMC equals a loggable instrument approach. The rules are more precise than that, and the FAA knowledge test exploits the gaps in that assumption regularly. Let's unpack each category carefully.

What Counts as Instrument Flight Time

Under 14 CFR §61.51(g), a pilot may log instrument flight time only while operating an aircraft solely by reference to instruments. Two separate scenarios qualify:

Actual instrument conditions (IMC): The aircraft is in conditions where the pilot cannot maintain attitude and navigate without reference to the flight instruments—typically in clouds, fog, or precipitation that obscures visual references. The time logged must correspond to the actual period the pilot was flying solely on instruments, not the entire flight in the weather area.
Simulated instrument conditions: A view-limiting device (a hood or foggles) is worn so the pilot cannot use outside visual references. A safety pilot who holds at least a private pilot certificate with category and class ratings appropriate to the aircraft must occupy the other control seat and act as required crew. The safety pilot must hold at least a current medical certificate only if they are acting as pilot in command—PIC designation for the flight is determined by pre-flight agreement between the two pilots, not automatically assigned to the safety pilot simply because the pilot under the hood is not PIC.

Time spent in a flight training device (FTD) or aviation training device (ATD) may also be logged as instrument time, subject to specific limitations described below. Note that logging instrument time in a simulator or ATD is governed by separate provisions from those covering actual or simulated flight in an aircraft.

Logging Instrument Approaches

An instrument approach for logging purposes requires more than simply flying an approach procedure in IMC. The FAA defines a loggable instrument approach as one performed to the published minimums of a procedure, under actual or simulated instrument conditions, and the approach must be flown to the point where a landing could be made or a missed approach is executed.

For currency purposes under §91.109 and §61.57(c), an instrument approach counts only if it is an IAP (instrument approach procedure) that is part of an IFR flight or conducted in simulated IFR. Flying a visual approach—even if you use the ILS guidance—does not count as a loggable instrument approach for currency. The approach must also be completed in simulated or actual IMC or in an approved simulator/FTD/ATD.

IFR Currency Requirements

To act as pilot in command under IFR or in weather conditions below VFR minimums, 14 CFR §61.57(c) requires that within the preceding 6 calendar months you have performed and logged:

At least 6 instrument approaches
Holding procedures and tasks
Intercepting and tracking courses through the use of navigational electronic systems

These requirements can be met in actual IMC, simulated IMC (under the hood with a safety pilot), or in an approved FAA simulator, FTD, or ATD that is representative of the aircraft category.

The Six-Month Grace Period

There is an important but often misunderstood grace period built into the currency rules. If you let your currency lapse—meaning you have not met the §61.57(c) requirements within the most recent 6 calendar months—you have an additional 6 calendar months to complete the requirements. During this second 6-month window, however, you may not act as PIC under IFR or in IMC. You may still accomplish the currency flights under the supervision of a CFII or with a safety pilot, logging the approaches and holds needed to restore currency. After the second 6-month period expires without restoration of currency, you must complete an Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC) with an authorized instructor or examiner before you can again act as PIC under IFR.

The Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC)

An IPC is not the same as a flight review. It is a specific evaluation, prescribed by the Instrument Rating Practical Test Standards (now the Airman Certification Standards, ACS), conducted by an authorized check airman, a CFII, or an examiner. The IPC must cover the tasks in the ACS that are appropriate to the aircraft category and class. After a successful IPC, your currency clock resets just as if you had completed the six required approaches and holds—your 6-calendar-month window begins again from that date.

Using Simulators, FTDs, and ATDs for Currency

Approved training devices can substitute for aircraft time in meeting IFR currency requirements, which is a practical advantage for pilots who want to stay current during poor weather or high aircraft rental costs. The relevant regulations under §61.57(c)(3) permit use of an FAA-approved full flight simulator (FFS), FTD, or aviation training device (ATD) for all six of the required approaches, the holding, and tracking tasks, provided the device is representative of the aircraft category. Crucially, an authorized instructor must be present during ATD-based currency flights.

Not every box that displays instruments qualifies. The device must carry an FAA Letter of Authorization (LOA) or qualification document. Many flight school desktop trainers qualify as Basic Aviation Training Devices (BATDs) or Advanced Aviation Training Devices (AATDs) and can satisfy IFR currency requirements—but only within the specific hours and task limitations spelled out in the LOA for that device.

Building Instrument Time Toward the Instrument Rating

For the instrument rating itself, 14 CFR §61.65 sets the aeronautical experience requirements. A student must log at least 50 hours of cross-country flight time as PIC (in any category of aircraft), and at least 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time. Of those 40 hours:

At least 15 hours must be received from an authorized instrument flight instructor (CFII) in the aircraft category for the rating sought.
At least 3 hours of instrument flight training must be in airplanes (for the airplane instrument rating) within the 2 calendar months before the practical test.
At least 50 hours of cross-country PIC time across all aircraft categories.

Under 14 CFR §61.65(i), up to 20 of the required 40 hours of instrument time may be credited from an approved FFS, FTD, or AATD (Advanced Aviation Training Device), but no more than 10 of those hours may come from a BATD (Basic Aviation Training Device)—a cap that applies regardless of whether the applicant is training under Part 61 or Part 141.

Key Numbers and Rules

6 instrument approaches required in the past 6 calendar months for IFR currency (§61.57(c)).
6-month grace period after currency lapses—no IFR PIC during this window.
IPC required if currency is not restored within the 12-month combined window.
40 hours instrument time required for the instrument rating (§61.65).
15 hours must be dual with a CFII in the appropriate aircraft category.
3 hours instrument training within 2 calendar months before the practical test.
50 hours cross-country PIC time required for the instrument rating.
Simulated IMC requires a safety pilot with appropriate category/class ratings, holding a current medical only if acting as PIC.
Safety pilot may log PIC time if they are the acting PIC; the pilot under the hood may also log PIC time if they are the sole manipulator of the controls (two pilots can simultaneously log PIC time in this configuration).

Memory Aid: CRAFT (for IFR Currency Tasks)

A useful memory aid for recalling what §61.57(c) requires for currency is CRAFT: Course intercepts and tracking, Route (holding procedures), Approaches (6 instrument approaches), Flight time logged solely by reference to instruments, Time frame (all within 6 calendar months). While CRAFT is primarily used as a clearance readback acronym, applying it here reinforces the key elements of IFR currency that the FAA checks.

Common Test Traps

Calendar months vs. calendar days: IFR currency is measured in calendar months, not days. Six calendar months from January 15 extends through July 31—the entire last day of the month counts, giving a slight buffer compared to a strict 180-day rule.
Visual approaches don't count: Flying an ILS in VMC on a visual approach clearance does not log as an instrument approach for currency, even if you flew the full procedure. You must be in actual or simulated IMC.
Safety pilot medical requirement: The safety pilot must hold a current medical only if acting as required PIC for the flight; PIC status is established by pre-flight agreement, not automatically by wearing the hood or not. A BasicMed holder may not serve as safety pilot acting as PIC unless the flight qualifies under BasicMed provisions—a detail the test exploits.
ATD hour cap: Many students assume all 40 instrument hours can come from a simulator or training device. The regulations cap BATD credit at 10 hours toward the 40-hour total, with a maximum of 20 hours from FFS, FTD, or AATD combined—this cap structure applies regardless of Part 61 or Part 141 training.
Dual logging of PIC time: Both the safety pilot and the pilot under the hood can log PIC simultaneously—this is legal and is a common knowledge-test question. Neither is logging time falsely; they each have a valid regulatory basis for the logbook entry.