What Counts as an Approach for IFR Currency?
An approach counts toward instrument currency when you cross the Final Approach Fix (FAF) in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) — real or simulated — and either break out at or above the Decision Altitude (DA) or Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA) and land, or execute the published missed approach procedure. This standard applies identically in a real aircraft and in a simulator. There is no separate "simulator approach" definition. The FAA uses one standard for counting approaches regardless of the platform.
If you break off the approach before reaching DA/MDA — because you made a large error and want to restart, for example — that approach does not count. You must fly the full procedure from FAF through minimums. For a detailed walkthrough of the approach itself, see how to fly an instrument approach.
How Do You Log Approaches in a Paper Logbook?
The paper logbook has specific columns designed for different categories of flight time. Simulator sessions use only a subset of those columns. The most common mistake is filling in columns that do not apply to AATD time — like PIC, Total Flight, or the Single-Engine Land (SEL) category. Here is exactly what goes where.
Paper Logbook Entry — Column by Column
Aircraft Make and Model
Enter "AATD". This tells anyone reading the logbook that the time was logged in an Advanced Aviation Training Device, not an actual aircraft.
Aircraft Identification
Enter "PFC GTX G1000". This identifies the specific training device used during the session.
Number of Approaches and Holds
Enter the number of approaches and holds completed. Each approach must meet the full criteria — cross the FAF in simulated IMC, descend to DA/MDA, then land or execute the missed approach.
Dual Received
Enter the full session duration in the Dual Received column when an instructor is present. Solo simulator sessions (for already instrument-rated pilots maintaining currency) leave this blank.
Simulated Instrument
Record the actual duration spent flying in simulated IMC conditions. A typical 1.8-hour AATD session produces roughly 1.5 hours of simulated instrument time — the remaining time covers taxi and setup.
Ground Trainer / Simulator
Enter the total simulator session time. This is the full duration from start to shutdown of the training device.
Remarks
List the type of each approach and the airport. For example: "ILS 6 KISP, RNAV 15 KHWV, VOR 6 KFOX." This detail matters for proving currency and for your DPE during a checkride.
Instructor Signature
Your instructor signs the entry with their CFI certificate number and the expiration month/year of their recurring instructor training (for example, "6/29"). This endorsement validates the training.
Columns to Leave Blank
Leave these blank: SEL, MEL, Day, Night, Cross-Country, PIC, and Total Flight. AATD time is training device time — not aircraft time and not PIC time.
Example Paper Logbook Entry
| Date | Make/Model | Ident | Appr | Holds | Dual | Sim Inst | Gnd Trainer/Sim | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/19/26 | AATD | PFC GTX G1000 | 3 | 2 | 1.8 | 1.5 | 1.8 | ILS 6 KISP, RNAV 15 KHWV, VOR 6 KFOX |
For guidance on briefing the approach before you fly it, review our approach briefing guide — a solid brief is the foundation of a well-logged approach.
Practice IFR Approaches in the Simulator
Fly approaches in our PFC GTX G1000 AATD with airline pilot instructors. Every approach counts toward your IFR currency.
How Do You Log Approaches in ForeFlight?
ForeFlight's digital logbook has dedicated fields for simulator entries. The key is setting up the equipment type correctly so ForeFlight categorizes the time properly. Once configured, ForeFlight automatically tracks your IFR currency status based on the approaches, holds, and instrument time you enter. Here is how to fill in each field.
ForeFlight Digital Logbook Setup
Equipment Type
Select AATD from the equipment type dropdown. This tells ForeFlight to categorize the session as simulator time and apply the correct currency rules.
Simulator Name
Enter "GTX G1000" as the simulator name. This identifies the specific training device for your records.
Represented Aircraft Type
Enter the specific aircraft you simulated — for example, "C172S" or "SR20." This matches what you would write in the Make/Model column of a paper logbook.
Simulated Instrument Time
Enter the actual duration spent flying in simulated IMC. This is not the total session time — subtract briefing, taxi, and setup time. For a 1.8-hour session, this is typically around 1.5 hours.
Holds
Enter the number of holding patterns completed during the session. Each hold counts individually toward your currency requirement.
Approaches
Enter the number of approaches completed. Same criteria as the paper logbook — each approach must cross the FAF in simulated IMC and continue to DA/MDA. ForeFlight uses this number to calculate your approach currency expiration date.
Training Section — Simulated Flight
Enter the total duration of the simulator session. This is the overall time from device startup to shutdown — the equivalent of the FTD column in a paper logbook.
How Much Simulated IMC Time Should You Log?
Not all simulator time is instrument time. A typical 1.8-hour AATD session at Aviator.NYC produces approximately 1.5 hours of simulated Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC). The difference accounts for pre-flight briefing, initial setup and configuration of the simulator, taxi procedures, and post-flight debrief. You should only log the time actually spent flying under simulated instrument conditions — from the point you are established on an instrument procedure to when you complete the approach or exercise.
This distinction matters because simulated instrument time is the number that feeds your IFR currency calculation and your instrument time totals. Inflating it by including non-flying time misrepresents your experience. Your instructor will help you determine the precise split if you are unsure.
For strategies on structuring your simulator time to maximize approach count and efficiency, see our guide on optimizing instrument rating training.
Do You Log PIC Time in the Simulator?
No. Simulator time in an AATD is not Pilot-in-Command (PIC) time and is not total flight time. The FAA distinguishes between actual aircraft flight time and training device time. In your logbook — whether paper or digital — the only time columns you fill for an AATD session are FTD/Simulator time, Simulated Instrument time, and Dual Received (when an instructor is present). The PIC column and Total Flight Time column remain blank.
This is different from a full flight simulator (Level C/D) used by airlines, where PIC time can be logged under certain conditions. For AATD sessions, the rule is simple: no PIC, no total time. The approaches and instrument time still count fully toward your IFR currency under 14 CFR 61.57(c).
What About Holds — How Do You Log Those?
Holding patterns are logged by count, not by duration. If you fly three holding patterns during a simulator session, you enter "3" in the Holds column (or field, in ForeFlight). Each hold counts individually toward your currency requirement. The FAA requires you to demonstrate holding proficiency as part of IFR currency — specifically "holding procedures and tasks" under 14 CFR 61.57(c)(1).
In a typical IFR currency session at Aviator.NYC, you will fly 2-3 holds alongside your approaches. Most instructors incorporate holds as part of the approach sequence — for example, holding at an Initial Approach Fix (IAF) before beginning the procedure turn or vectors to final. This keeps the session efficient and realistic.
How Many Approaches Do You Need for IFR Currency?
Under 14 CFR 61.57(c), instrument currency requires six approaches, holding procedures, and intercepting and tracking courses and radials within the preceding six calendar months. If you fall out of currency, you enter a six-month grace period where you can regain currency by completing these tasks with a safety pilot or in a simulator — but you cannot fly IFR as PIC during that grace period. After the grace period expires, an Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC) is required.
Most instrument-rated pilots who fly regularly find that three approaches every three months keeps them comfortably current with a buffer. A single 1.8-hour AATD session can easily cover three approaches plus holds and tracking — which means one simulator visit per quarter keeps you legal. For pilots who want to stay sharp (not just legal), two sessions per quarter is a better target.
Stay IFR Current Year-Round
One simulator session every three months keeps you legal. Our airline pilot instructors make every approach count.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do simulator approaches count for IFR currency?
Yes. Approaches flown in an FAA-approved AATD, BATD, FTD, or full flight simulator count identically to approaches flown in an actual aircraft for IFR currency under 14 CFR 61.57(c). The criteria are the same — cross the FAF in simulated IMC, descend to DA/MDA, and either land or execute the missed approach.
How many approaches do I need for instrument currency?
Six approaches within the preceding six calendar months, plus holding procedures and intercepting/tracking courses and radials. Most pilots find that doing three approaches every three months keeps them comfortably current. A single 2-hour AATD session can cover three or more approaches plus holds.
Do I log PIC time in a simulator?
No. AATD and BATD time is not PIC time and is not total flight time. You log only FTD/Simulator time, simulated instrument time, and dual received (if an instructor is present). The PIC and Total Flight Time columns remain blank for all training device sessions.
What is the difference between AATD and BATD logging?
The logging format is identical — the same columns, the same approach criteria, the same currency credit. The difference is in what each device can represent. An Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD) like the PFC GTX G1000 replicates a specific aircraft panel and flight model, while a Basic Aviation Training Device (BATD) provides generic instrument procedures training. Both count for IFR currency under 61.57(c). The Aviator.NYC simulator is an AATD.
Can I log approaches in an AATD without an instructor?
Yes — if you are already instrument rated and maintaining currency, you can fly solo in an AATD and log the approaches toward 61.57(c) currency. You would leave the Dual Received column blank since no instructor is present. However, if you are an instrument student working toward your initial rating, an instructor must be present for the time to count toward training requirements. At Aviator.NYC, both dual sessions with an instructor and solo currency sessions are available.