I am currently a Private Pilot Rotorcraft and I am doing an addon for ASEL. When can I log PIC time?
I've been told it's only when you're the solo occupant but after some reading I'm not so sure. 14 CFR 61.63(d.2) says:
Have received training required by this part that is appropriate to the pilot certification level, aircraft category, class, and type rating (if a class or type rating is required) for the aircraft to be flown, and have received an endorsement for solo flight in that aircraft from an authorized instructor.
Do you have to have your license in category to log pic time? Or is it after you have received your instructor's endorsement to fly solo per 61.63?
When I showed this to my instructor and we did the endorsement in my logbook we received some backlash from the flight school saying that PIC time is only accrued after you have your PPL in the applicable category of aircraft. During my flight lessons I was always operating the aircraft for the entire duration of the flight after I had received my solo endorsement which satisfies the requirements for PIC time per 61.51(e.IV).
Am I misinterpreting the rules? Can someone point out to me why I wouldn't be able to log PIC time even though it's in a different Category? Thanks for the input!