Commercial Pilot License (CPL) 2026 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The qualification for logging Second in Command (SIC) time is specifically linked to the operational need for two pilots in the aircraft, along with the pilot meeting the necessary SIC requirements. This means that if a flight is being conducted in an aircraft that is certificated for two pilots and the pilot is appropriately trained and qualified under the regulations, they can log SIC time.

This situation commonly occurs in multi-pilot operations where one pilot is designated as the pilot in command (PIC), and the other serves as the SIC, allowing for efficient management of the aircraft's operation and increased safety through crew resource management. Not all aircraft require two pilots; hence the requirement is dependent on the specific type of aircraft, which is why the need for two pilots directly influences the logging of SIC time.

Other factors such as flying at night, holding a commercial license, or altitude do not inherently qualify a pilot to log SIC time. Therefore, the essential condition is the aircraft's certification and the pilot's compliance with SIC requirements.