Regulatory Basis — What EASA Says
The core regulatory text governing flight time recording is found in FCL.050 Recording of flight time and the associated AMC1 FCL.050 (Acceptable Means of Compliance). This sets out what must be recorded and how flight time may be logged, including PIC, PICUS, and CO-PILOT time.
Logging PIC Flight Time
Pilot-in-Command (PIC) flight time is defined in the regulations with several specific components:
“PIC flight time:
(i) the holder of a licence may log as PIC time all of the flight time during which he or she is the PIC;
(ii) the applicant for, or holder of, a pilot licence may log as PIC time all solo flight time, flight time as SPIC and flight time under supervision provided that such SPIC time and flight time under supervision are countersigned by the instructor;
(iii) the holder of an instructor certificate may log as PIC all flight time during which he or she acts as an instructor in an aircraft;
(iv) the holder of an examiner’s certificate may log as PIC all flight time during which he or she occupies a pilot’s seat and acts as an examiner in an aircraft…”
Key Takeaways
PIC: Log all flight time where YOU are the designated PIC.
Solo, SPIC, supervised time: These can all be logged as PIC when countersigned by the instructor.
Instructor/examiner time: Also counts as PIC when acting in those roles.
This combined definition makes PIC a broader category under EASA than in some other jurisdictions — and this is why terms like SPIC and PICUS are recorded under PIC with countersignature requirements.
How to Log in Logger
Logger has separate fields for PIC, PICUS. You may log these times into their respective fields. When you export your flights to EASA logbook layout, Logger merges them automatically into single PIC field
Logger doesn’t have SPIC field, SPIC time should be logged under PIC function time. You can make use of tags and custom time fields to keep better track of your SPIC.
Logging PICUS
EASA defines PICUS (Pilot-in-Command Under Supervision) within the same regulatory structure. The key provision is:
“…a co-pilot acting as PICUS on an aircraft on which more than one pilot is required under the type certification of the aircraft or as required by operational requirements provided that such PICUS time is countersigned by the PIC…”
This is reinforced by the broader flight time recording guidance:
“PICUS flight time: …a co-pilot may log as PIC flight time flown as PICUS when all the duties and functions of PIC on that flight were carried out in such a way that the intervention of the PIC in the interest of safety was not required.”
Key Takeaways
PICUS time comes under PIC — EASA logbook doesn’t have separate column — and must be countersigned by the PIC in the remarks.
PICUS refers to a co-pilot performing all PIC duties under supervision without the PIC having to intervene for safety reasons.
Oftentimes the PICUS time is needed to unfreeze ATPL and is part of the Command Upgrade (CU) programme. Some authorities, such as IAA, allow PICUS time to be logged on PF sectors; others allow PICUS logging regardless of the PF/PM role, but impose further restrictions (flights with instructors, CU programme enrollment, etc.).
How to Log in Logger
You log PIC and PICUS separatelly, On EASA PDF logbook export, the PIC and PICUS fields are automatically merged into single PIC field as required by EASA
You can have the Captain sign your flights directly in Logger
When you log PICUS or PIC, you should not log SIC
Note: not all CAAs allow electronic signatures. In which case you can print your logbook from Logger and have them sign that, or keep paper logbook until you gather minimum required number of hours to unfreeze your ATPL
Logging CO-PILOT Time
Co-pilot time (often referred to as SIC) is defined separately:
“co-pilot flight time: the holder of a pilot licence occupying a pilot seat as co-pilot may log all flight time as co-pilot flight time on an aircraft on which more than one pilot is required under the type certification of the aircraft, the regulations or the operations manual…”
Key Takeaways
CO-PILOT time is logged under ‘ CO-PILOT’ field when you are part of a required multi-pilot crew and do not meet the PICUS criteria.
This time counts toward total time. When logging PIC/PICUS, CO-PILOT time should not be logged
How to Log in Logger
You log your CO-PILOT time to SIC (Second-in-command) function time field.
During export, Logger exports the SIC time to CO-PILOT column on EASA comliant exports
Countersignature & Remarks
EASA makes clear that special categories such as SPIC and PICUS require a countersignature:
“when an aircraft carries two or more pilots as members of the operating crew… A pilot flying as ‘PICUS’ or ‘SPIC’ enters flying time as ‘PIC’ but all such entries are to be certified by the PIC or FI in the ‘Remarks’ column of the logbook.”
Practical Implication
PICUS and SPIC entries must be countersigned by the PIC (or instructor) in the remarks to be valid for regulatory purposes.
As stated above, not all CAAs exept electronic signatures just yet so you may need to either:
Carry paper logbook and place the signatures there until you gather the minimum required PIC hours to unfreeze the ATPL, or
Print the electronic logbook and have the PIC sign the flights manually
