Computer/PDA logbooks, hrs calculators

[Magumba]

Gents,
I wonder how the regulatory folks look at the use of a computer logbook rather then a hand written one. I've got the past few years on an exel spread sheet with a printout in my old log book, none of the flight time required an instructor sign off.
Has anyone talked to the FAA or CAA about whether this meet the flight time loging requirements.
Thanks

[paco]

Should be no problem with electronic log books, as long as it meets certain requirements, like being produceable for two years and having your name and address in the UK (check the ANO for the full list). Even a tech log entry will do if it satisfies all those

Dunno about the FAA

Phil

[MPT]

G'day All,

I've been using an excel based logbook for a few years now and found it to be a lot easier and neater than the written variety. It calculates everything for you and provides a useful (for resumes and application forms) summary page listing individual time on type, PIC, dual, night, instr. etc.

The author of this marvellous leap into the teckonogical age (P-air) has just released his latest update, which can be found on the Dunnunda and Godzone page and best of all it's free!

It fulfils the logbook requirements for CASA down here in Oz, but it's probably worth a look for you guys in other parts. Thanks again P-air.

Cheers,

MPT

[P-air]

Gee Thanks for the nice comments MPT - True to your word (rare quality these days)

www.bigfoot.com/~P-air

Yes, for any questions etc you can email me, or find me in the dunnunda zone

[nulian]

Just curious - who among you is using an electronic logbook? I'm looking for one geared towards the FAA standards, rather than the UK. What I've found on offer hasn't been all that great, however.

Thoughts?

[Yarba]

I just made my own electronic logbook for free using Excel. It's not very difficult, just time consuming. Advantage is you can tailor it to whatever format you want.

[cyclic]

I run Palm Log Pro on my Tungsten which can be synchronised with Excel. I think it works well for what it is worth.

[whirlycopter]

Have a look at www.e-logbooks.com they offer both JAA and FAA formats, but are a bit fixed wing biased.

Cheers

[RW-1]

Logbook Pro, very nice in conjunction with my Jepp.

http://www.logbookpro.com

[Squawk7777]

The e-logbook I use is not as fancy, but it is freeware and can be customized. Email or PM me if you want the prc file (forgot the website).

Edited:

PalmLog (http://www.nomadtech.com/PalmLog/)

7 7 7 7

[DeltaNg]

Saw this and thought It might be useful to a few of you internet
buffs. Its free and seems quite easy to use.

www.pilot-ebook.com

[Time Flies]

Hi All

Just a quick one...does anyone have a program used for the addition of time, to aid in the old logbook fiasco at the end of every month.

I've seen one at Colt before but believe the IT section took it off all computers.

Thanks

TF

PS. I'm not just wondering who has a copy, I would actually appreciate a copy of the program too.

[Feck]

I've got a useful one we use at Cott.

I'll see if I can dig out a link to it...

[Feck]

PM me and I'll email it to you. It's only a small file.

Couldn't readily find a website that would host an .exe file.

[MadsDad]

You can do time adding up in Excel, as follows:-

1. Open an Excel spreadsheet.
2. Format the row in time format (hh:mm if just minutes, hh:mm:ss if times include seconds).
3. Type your times into the boxes in the column.
4. Click on the first empty box at the end of the column.
5. Click the 'total' button (the Sigma sign). A formula will appear.
6. Hit tab.

As if by magic the total will appear. (It's how I do my timesheets).

Hope this helps (if you have any questions please PM me).

Edited because I forgot. If you are using XP the total will omit whole days (e.g. if the total time should be 27:40:15 it will show as 3:40:15). Annoying and I haven't figured a way round that yet but should be fairly obvious.

[Lets_Goinside-Beauty]

dude - if you want a prog to do all the easy, (but easy to mess up!) work for you, drop me a line with a clue to your email on this post, and I'll email it to you, or do some of that fancy PM stuff (never done it myslef, so don't know how it works...). We've got a little gizza calles 'Smorth's logbook calculator' here at Valley, and - let me tell you - the man Smorth is a genius...!!

[Feck]

Hell, have both programs, go crazy!

Good old Smorth's still going strong then? The man of a thousand gizzas!

Aha, managed to get it on the web.

Hours Adder (http://uk.geocities.com/liquidpilot)

Hope this helps.

[scroggs]

In Excel, to add times without getting screwed up by days etc, use the custom time format [HH:mm], and apply it to all cells used for recording and calculating hours. This will do the necessary for you.

[Guy Willesley]

One from the network at Lyneham - looks like the standard windows calculator and includes a 'till roll' thing if you leave your cursor hovering over the calculator's display. Don't know who wrote it, but whoever it was - thanks!

Hours and Minutes Calculator (http://www.waller.freeserve.co.uk/hours_and_minutes_calculator.htm)

[DodgyOpsGuy]

Sad I know, but I am no computer geek okay.

In Excel, Go Format, Cells, Number then select custom. Once in custom select hh:mm, then change it to this [h]:mm, this will total the hours as opposed to converting them to days with the other option.

Who said an Opsy aint good for anything eh

[average pilot]

I just use a calculator with a time function on, mine's made by Casio.

[BEagle]

My Texas Instruments DMS : DD function has been just the ticket for the last 18 years!

Amazed that you guys get the chance to fly often enough these days to need to use a calculator at all.

Top tip - keep your log book away from the sqn and enter your trip times on the same day. Then you won't have to fight for the auth sheets at the end of the month!! The biggest log book snags come from waiting for some minor cog to cross-check them and then waiting for them to come back after some wheel has signed them.

[unkind43]

http://www.662sqn.com/

It's in the downloads section. I know it say's Lynx and Gazelle but it seems to work for all others. If not the chap seems quite keen to help out. Infact Army type blokey more than likely copied it from the better service anyway.

[Dengue_Dude]

Try this http://www.andersson-design.com/aircrew/index.shtml

[Maro_SK]

Can anybody tell me where I can find a free Pilot's Log Book for PocketPC? Thanks a lot

[dublinpilot]

Have you tried one of those excel based ones? Don't know how well it would convert to pocket excel though, as I haven't tried.

dp

[Big Hilly]

Maro,

Check your PMs.

BH

[yawningdog]

Try this :

http://www.palmflying.com/logbooks.html

[Right Stuff]

Changing the subject very slightly, does anyone know any good PC logbook software (ideally freeware)?

[Ninj43]

As far as a PC based free logbook is concerned, try the UK military one here (http://www.zdnet.com.au/downloads/0,39024478,39051731s,00.htm)

Works for both my PPL and Military needs.

As for a PDA version, Im keen to find a good one.

Rgds

N|nj

[retro cowboy]

Afternoon guys,

Just wondering if any instructors out there are using any decent logbook software that they would recommend. This is due to some companies asking for a breakdown of individual aircraft type hours and I'm getting sick of working it out!

Preferably JAR_FCL software.

Cheers,

RC

[Loony_Pilot]

Hi,

I use Skylog pro, it does everything including hours breakdowns and so on, the pro version has extra stuff for instructors. It takes a little bit of fiddling with to set up, but it has been fine for me so far and I think the CAA accept it as a "real" logbook

[ACW 335]

Is that freeware?

If not, how much to register?

[retro cowboy]

Thanks for the option Loony_Pilot, can this be stored on the web as well? Just thinking that as I'm not always around my PC it would be a useful function.

Cheers,

RC

[spitfire747]

I use a simply constructed Excel Spreadsheet, gives me all the info i need, just a case of adding it all in..

ALSO worth mentioning, each time i finish a page in my logbook, i Photocopy it... saves a load of hassel if it gets knicked

Spitty:O

[SmirkySam]

I spoke to a lady at the CAA last week, so I don't have this in writing!
The CAA will not accept any computer disks (viral worries) making the submission of electronic / digitised logbooks tricky.

She was interested that I had gone to the trouble of putting my flights into a spreadsheet and proffered the following information; As long as the printouts comply with article 28 of the ANO then the document will be accepted. Click Here (http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/si/si2000/20001562.htm)

I did ask about approved software before I was given the answers above.

Now, has anyone got to grips with Microsoft Access?


Smirky.;)

[Oktas8]

I use MS Access.

However, Access is harder to use than Excel unless one has a basic knowledge of how databases work. Also, MS Access needs some understanding, however basic, of SQL queries or macros or Visual Basic, to generate different flight time summaries.

I've tried to generate a polished, easy-to-use interface in MS Access, and you can, but the end result will be quite bloated compared to the equivalent professional logbook software on the market. For example, a typical Access database will compress to about 1/10th its original size when using WinZip or similar. This is a sign of dreadfully inefficient data storage. MS Access's user-level security features are quite basic too.

However, if you have or are willing to put in some work learning some basic programming, Access is capable of doing all the different flight summaries that the professional packages do, and database flexibility is only limited to the time you're willing to spend learning how to use it.

Oktas8

[Loony_Pilot]

Hi,

Skylog Pro is about £60. Its not the electronic bit that the CAA accept, but it will print fully in a CAA approved format (afaik). I just use it as a backup to the paper logbook and as a way to calculate hours annually, monthly, on type.. between certain dates on certain types etc. Its also a very useful way to ensure you have added up the paper totals properly

I know of one that is web based (E-Logbooks) but it charges you per entry, which is probably cheaper for a PPL doing a few hours a year, but makes it veru very pricey for someone doing a few hundred flights a year.

There are plenty of them around tho.. guess it just comes down to which u like the look of

[QSK?]

Try the Aloft electronic logbook from the Canadian company Skymark Technologies. Very affordable and an excellent product. Pilots can download a trial version. I have used it and find it excellent.
http://www.skymarktechnologies.com/aloft/default.asp

[adnams]

I use Flightlog Professional, It is excellent. You can download it off the web.
http://www.barrettsoft.com/

[Red Eyed Dog]

I'll go with adnams on this one. Use this program myself and it's great with statistics and graphs. I think it's the only one out there capable of working out day / night flying automatically that I've ever come across ...

[Jet Man]

Just purchased a new little toy - a Palm T3.

I have heard of some pilots using them as logbooks.

Has any one got any practical experience with this or any advice as to how useful PDAs are as logbooks.

Can anyone advise the best applications?

[swish266]

Get Palm Log Pro. Someone can"beam" it to u or download it from d web...
Cheers

[Whirlygig]

I use a web-based programme

www.pilot-ebook.com (http://)

It is free to register and use for personal use.

Cheers

Whirlygig

[Dengue_Dude]

Try http://frontbeach.com/palmlog

I've used it for over 3 years on a Clie and its brilliant, even adds your hours over rolling 28/30 days, months yearly so on and so forth.

Nice and easy to use too, remembers airframes, destinations, crew etc etc.

[Jet Man]

Thanks - I'll have a browse!

[126.9]

I'm in the market for a new pilot logbook package. I'm preferably looking for something in the old British/South African format that is Palm compatible. I've tried a few US programs (Palmlogpro, Co-Pilot etc) but have not been happy with any of them.

The main criteria is that all I'm after is a logbook that I store on my Palm and print out once a month. I don't need something that calculates duty time or cost per day or any of that stuff that I do perfectly well in my head.

Any ideas appreciated..?

[CFP]

Have a look at this website http://www.freewarepalm.com/
You may found this http://www.freewarepalm.com/database/studentpilot'slogbook.shtml
I havent try it my self but it's look ok.

Also www.logbookpro.com but it's not free.

Good luck!

[energiser]

I've been using Captains Keeper (http://www.nimblefeet.com/) for the last 2 years, and found it to be very useful.

Like yourself, I did not need a calculation of allowances etc, although CK will do that for you if you want it to. I just enter the flight data on my Clie, sync with the pc when I'm home, and print the logbook once a month.

Works a treat once you have the database set up :)

You even get a months free trial to see if it suits

:cool:

[roundwego]

Does anyone have a simple calculator program I could use for a computer to add up hours and minutes? I keep my log book manually and can never be bothered adding up each column at the bottom of each page and am now months (if not years) out of date on my totals. I would quite like to know how many hours I have flown.

Thanks from Oh Great Lazy One

[Ascend Charlie]

Convert to decimal hours - very simple, and in the long run you don't gain or lose any time.

I didn't think anybody worked in minutes any more? Hobbs meters are decimal.

To catch up on your past logged hours, you can use your pocket calculator. When entering 1 hr 13 mins, put in 10013, 1 hr 52 is 10052, and so on: then when you finish the page you have something like 240785, which would be 24 hours and 785 minutes. Take out 600 mins=10 hrs, leaves 185 mins. Take another 180 mins = 3 hrs, and your total is 37 hrs 5 mins.:8

[Woolf]

Excel Spreadsheet would do this quite nicely. PM me if you need help.

Cheers

Woolf

[roundwego]

Thanks chaps for taking the time to reply.

Ascend Charlie - Thats a neat solution. Did you think that one up yourself? You must have a way with figures (of the female form as well maybe?)

Woolf - I did make an attempt with Excel but although i know the arithmatic, I didn't have enough knowledge of Excel to make it work and gave up - I told you i was lazy.

In the meantime, I have found a nice piece of shareware (although a tad expensive I think) which does exactly what i want at

http://home.nycap.rr.com/aotw/timecalc.htm

If I can round to it, I might just get my logbook added up before the evaluation period is over


Thanks again folks

[Whirlygig]

Try also

www.pilot-ebook.com

It's an on-line program but free for individuals. You can also keep track of dates for medical, LPC etc.

It was written by a North Sea Heli pilot so caters for our little "peculiarities"

Cheers

Whirlygig

[J.A.F.O.]

Go to the Military Aircrew forum and search on "hours calculator", you'll come up with two or three workable freebies.

Found it:

http://uk.geocities.com/liquidpilot/ (http://)

This is my favourite one but there are several other free ones.

[MrEdd]

Just wondering if there is anyone using one that you can recomend?
Seems a bit smoother to use than the good old handwritten one.

Cheers

[Big Beres]

If your a MAC user I would suggest using LogTen Pro, It is one of the best electronic Logbooks I've seen and the after sales support is great. You can download the demo - sorry to the PC users but hey, who'd want to use a PC anyway!!:ok:

LogTen Pro http://coradine.com/


BB