The appropriately rated safety pilot may concurrently log as second in command (SIC) that time during which he is acting as safety pilot. The two pilots may, however, agree prior to initiating the flight that the safety pilot will be the PIC responsible for the operation and safety of the aircraft during the flight.

Logging flight time in a two-pilot environment is governed by strict civil aviation regulations (such as FAA Part 61 or EASA Part-FCL). In 2026, if both pilots are required by the aircraft's "type certificate" or the airline's "operating certificate," one pilot is designated as the Pilot in Command (PIC) and the other as the Second in Command (SIC) or First Officer. The PIC logs "Total Time" and "PIC Time" for the duration of the flight. The SIC logs "Total Time" and "SIC Time." A common point of confusion is when the SIC is the "Pilot Flying" (manipulating the controls); even then, they still log SIC time unless they have been designated as "PIC Under Supervision." In a "Multi-Crew" environment, both pilots can log the full duration of the flight toward their total flight experience. For 2026 pilots using digital logbooks like LogTen Pro or ForeFlight, the software automatically tracks these distinctions. It is vital for career progression—especially when aiming for the 1,500-hour ATP (Airline Transport Pilot) milestone—that these entries are accurate and match the official aircraft journey log, as discrepancies can lead to major issues during airline interviews or regulatory audits.