Nick Marcantonio, CFI/CFII/MEI/AGI/IGI
References: Elite (Manufacturer) and the FAA via the Federal Register and Advisory Circular, in addition to sources cited
Last updated 5 Feb 2021

HOW TO PROPERLY LOG ATD TIME: Short Version

Our device is an Elite PI-135 XTS Basic Aviation Training Device (BATD). When logging, I recommend “Elite BATD” as the Model, and “PI-135 XTS” as the Tail Number. Your examiner may ask to see a copy of the certificate for the BATD, which is available at the bottom of this page, and in the ATD room at JNFC. If the examiner ask for a serial number of our BATD, Elite states that their devices do not have serial numbers assigned to the complete system, but instead they recommend using the software version number, which is “63000”.

Log your time as ATD Time (often called Ground Trainer Time in logbooks), and log it as DUAL RECEIVED if you’re with an instructor. If you’re simulating IMC, then log it as Simulated IMC, and log your holds and the approaches you fly with weather set at or below minimums. If you fly multi-engine aircraft in the ATD, you will need a separate category of ATD-SEL and ATD-MEL. That’s all. No total flight time, no takeoffs, no landings, no PIC, no ASEL, no AMEL, no solo. If you’re an instructor, you can only log your instructional time as “ground training given.”

MORE INFORMATION ON ATDs

An Aviation Training Device is a ground training device used to help students and pilots gain and retain proficiency at a lower cost than flying an aircraft. You can log as much ATD time as you like in your logbook*, with or without an instructor. You have to be careful to never log it as “FLIGHT TIME” (of any type, ever.) If you fly a multi-engine in the sim, be careful to split it into ATD-SEL versus ATD-MEL (this distinction is required by IACRA Form 8710); I recommend creating a new column to track the two separately. Finally, be careful not to log it as “FFS – Full Flight Simulator” time, nor “FTD” time, because an ATD is not called a “Simulator” or an “FTD” by the FAA. The FAA definition of a “simulator” is something far beyond what you’ll see in any flight school. FFSs are very large devices used by airlines. An “FTD” is something you might see in the military, in corporate aviation, or in advanced flight training centers. Part 61 and Part 141 flight schools use BATDs and AATDs. More information on the differences between FFS, FTD, AATD, and BATD is available from AOPA, RedBird, Aviation Simulation Technology, Volarent, and of course the FAA.

*Note – 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. For instance, a private pilot certificate requires 40 hours of flight minimum, but you can only use a BATD as credit for 2.5 of those hours. For more info, check 14 CFR Part 61.4(c) or check this link. My advice is to use the ATD as much as you like, with or without an instructor, and to log all of the hours. Just be aware that logging beyond the maximum credit will not help you meet certification minimum hours.

HOW TO PROPERLY LOG ATD TIME: Long version

An ATD (Basic or Advanced) may be used to log any of the following items:
ATD TIME (some logbooks call this GROUND TRAINER TIME) (if you fly multi engine, split into ATD-SEL/ATD-MEL)
DUAL INSTRUCTION RECEIVED (only when with a CFI)
SIMULATED INSTRUMENT (in IMC)
INSTRUMENT APPROACHES (weather at or below minimums for each approach)
INSTRUMENT HOLDS (in IMC)
INSTRUMENT TRACKING & INTERCEPTING (in IMC)
GROUND INSTRUCTION GIVEN (for CFIs only)
TOTAL TIME (only if differentiated from total flight time, which is rare in paper logbooks)

An ATD may not ever be used to log any of the following items:
FLIGHT TIME of any type
–including Total Flight Time
–including Dual Flight Training Given (CFIs)
AIRCRAFT TIME of any type (it’s an ATD, not an aircraft)
–including ASEL, AMEL
Takeoffs
Landings
Night (regardless of settings)
Cross Country (regardless of how far you fly)
Solo (even if you’re alone)
Pilot in Command
Actual Instrument