Plain English Meaning

The hours a student spends learning to fly with an instructor present, whether in an actual aircraft or in an approved training device, that count toward earning a certificate or rating.

Full Definition

Time spent receiving flight instruction from an authorized instructor in an aircraft, flight simulator, or flight training device, logged toward the experience requirements for a pilot certificate or rating.

Context Anchor

Seen in a training syllabus when lessons are divided into ground training, flight lessons, and estimated time requirements.

Why Pilots Care

Only properly documented flight training time fulfills the minimum hour requirements for certificates such as the private pilot certificate.