Log Books
 

what do you think of engineers
log books as a means of career advancement
instead of ad300 or
instead of CVs

I had to keep one for the 7-8 years it took to become a Chartered Engineer. I don't know if it still is, but it used to be an Engineering Council Requirement.

I haven't subsequently kept it up, and the fact that it's not in a specific format meant that I ended up with about 200 pages of it (which are still on the shelf) which is arguably a little over the top (mind you I have always been a busy chap).

It worked for me, and certainly bears consideration - although I don't think it can ever totally replace a CV.

G

Aren't we all so busy & over worked at present that we would not have time to do log books.

After a few years in the industry word of mouth is enough to get you a job if you are any good.

There is already too much paperwork!

Used to be called a Schedule of Inspection Work, leading to examination for a type rating... http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/tongue.gif

System was canned by our employers because it led to stroppy so an sos who would refuse to sign Certificates of Maintenance unless everything was in order. Now everything is always in order. The employers say so, so it must be so...

Ah well! No doubt I'll now be savaged by that Big Bad Wolf again :)

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Through difficulties to the cinema

[This message has been edited by Blacksheep (edited 11 November 2000).]

This system is a current requirement for the Granting of Type Ratings in the Australian system.

It is also very time consuming and cumbersome, you end up waiting for Things to break in a certain ATA chapter, fighting over who get to do the job so that you can complete your Schedule of Experience.

Depending on the environment you work in (Line or Base Maintenance)it can be near impossible to obtain the required hours in each ATA Chapter.

Even with % reductions in the hours required for a type rating it would take at least 12 months ( average ) to gain the rating !!

Everytime the system is changed even more red tape is added.

This sytem definetly is NOT the Way To Go !!

I know that South African Engineers keep a similar log book to pilots which is needed for License renewal. I think its a good idea especially if you move around a bit. I have been asked for experience sheets when I started at a new company. Its difficult trying to get retrospective experience together especially when you've left a company and no longer have access to their maintenance records. Keeping a real time log book might take a bit of discipline but would be worth it in the long run. Keeping a sample of work log book should be easy enough to do.
On a practical note, I knew an engineer who kept an exact record of every job he did. He was unfortunate to be dragged into an investigation into a serious incident. He was able to produce his log book showing exactly what he had done and was subsequently exhonorated by the C.A.A. on the basis of that information.
Regards
SomeFokker

I used to keep a record of jobs done when I was initially doing type certs as most U.K.engineers did. Unfortunately I am bone idle about anything to do with paperwork so gave it up :-I find paperwork in this business a necessary evil and sometimes it can detract from the actual engineering!!!! In the U.K. I reckon word of mouth about an individual's capability is the most used and reliable method. Paperwork, unless strictly controlled can be a misleading source.
For instance I've known contractors with no aircraft experience falsify documents and subsequently end up working on aircraft.(one individual in particular who used to work on a car assembly line is now an a/c maintenance manager---oh dear)

See my posting in Skills Shortage reference the worlds favourite RMA technicians. In BA all "hands on" engineering staff are required to complete a Personal Experience Record which is a detailed proforma handed out by the quality dept. In order to obtain RMA and CRS qualifications the books have to be completed and reviewed by Quality prior to granting the approval. Entries in the book have to supported by the registration of the aircraft the task was carried out on and the sector log reference number where the task was recorded in that aircrafts tech log.
Remembering the jokes about many people does
it take to change a lightbulb and so on.Careful examination of a number of books will reveal that over 20 guys were involved in a 747 brake change and in the rare case of a 777 main battery change maybe 10 or so more. This just makes a mockery of any sort of log book. Even when the entries are verifiable, much of the book is just a pack of lies.