PPL Logbook App/software

[Dougie_diesel]

Hi All!

Can anyone reccomend any good apps or software for documenting their hours flown?

I am about to commence my PPL(H) training and am guaranteed to forget to carry a paper logbook (but will somehow NEVER forget my phone!)


I did use the search function to find previous threads, but the only result was nearly 5 years old. With the current advances in technology the answers now could be totally different.

I have the phone made by the company which shares its name with a fruit

[PA28181]

Love to see the instructors/examiners signatures in it.

Will you insure it when sent to the CAA when required?

[Genghis the Engineer]

Do your logbook and other flight paperwork the way your instructors tell you to, not how you want to with no flight experience.

There are loads of web apps for use as a logbook, but you'll still need a paper logbook and paper PLOGs.

G

[Dougie_diesel]

Many thanks for the witty responses.

I thought it would have went without saying that I intend to follow the guidance of the instructor explicitly, but obviously not.

G,
I'm not a smart-ass student pilot intent on parading around like I own the place with a few hours under my belt.

I've worked in the aviation industry for some time now and have just made the decision to start flying for pleasure. I'm well practiced in the roles of giving and following instruction where applicable.

I simply asked if anyone had any digital logbbook preferences, and a simple answer that paper copies are still required is all that's required.

[ATCO91]

What is it with forums and jumping on people instead of answering the question!

Dear OP,

I use https://www.logbook.aero/home as an online backup along side my paper logbook. I think there is an app to go with this but am not 100% sure as i never looked. I think in time you will find having a paper log book isnt so bad. With regards to being worried about "forgetting it" The ONE thing you will always take with you when you go flying is your flying bag - This for me held
> KneeBoard
> Chart and chart peripherals (pens, ruler, square compass CRP-1) etc
> LOG BOOK
> Credit Card
> Tablet (sky demon)
So you'll probably find you wont forget it as much as you think.

I am PPL fixed wing but I guess the requirements are pretty much the same. I also have and did use a fairly comprehensive Excel spreadsheet I put together which adds up times etc. If you would like a copy to have a look at PM me your email and i'll send it over.

Its worth noting as well, that when I applied for my PPL I DID NOT need to send my logbook to the CAA. As long as which ever software you use is capable of out putting an .xls .csv or pdf file this is sufficient to attach to the CAA's online application form.

That got lengthy sorry about that! Best of luck with your PPL(H).

[Blink182]

another vote for Logbook.aero
lots of nice features, GPS tracks, Photos, Comments, Documents, and ability to print off hard copy as needed

[Dougie_diesel]

Thanks Guys

ATCO, some handy things I don't think I'd have thought of! Credit card especially!

[Genghis the Engineer]

As ATCO said - flight bag ! (& headset bag).

Meself, I keep my logbook at home, and copy up from my paper PLOGs which are a feature of all of my flying and will be of the OPs from about 10 hours into training. I then copy up my flying into both my electronic and paper logbooks at home - but certainly plenty of people use web apps (mine's in Excel - I suppose I could find a way to do that on my phone, but I don't choose to), and I agree that whilst there's a lot of value in having a paper logbook, CAA will accept a signed printout of an electronic logbook these days - they've not had my paper logbook for some years either.

Tablets aren't generally approved of whilst learning - but there are some nice phone/tablet apps that you can use to record and review flights afterwards. I use Flightrecorder24 quite often for that when I'm instructing.

G

[ChickenHouse]

First, of course, IMHO you have to carry your paper logbook anyways to document at a ramp check that you are legal to fly. I know there is some effort towards electronic logbooks, but I seriously doubt time is ready for this at private pilote business. I do keep a paper logbook plus a MS Excel backup datasheet, stored centrally in the MS cloud solution - for once to do the overall calc of several currencies etc and for second to have an additional backup - but don't like web applications for that, just feeling (even was ramp checked away from the aircraft without the paper 'book in hand and the checker was fine with looking at the iPad accessing the MS cloud electronic backup - this is only happening in practical thinking countries ! ...).

[Genghis the Engineer]

Originally Posted by ChickenHouse

First, of course, IMHO you have to carry your paper logbook anyways to document at a ramp check that you are legal to fly.

Nonsense. Ramp checks are almost unheard of in the UK, and there is no legal requirement to carry your logbook in any regime I've come across.

I know there is some effort towards electronic logbooks, but I seriously doubt time is ready for this at private pilote business.

They've been around for years, and many people use one - albeit that most (not all) of us use them in parallel not instead.

I do keep a paper logbook plus a MS Excel backup datasheet, stored centrally in the MS cloud solution - for once to do the overall calc of several currencies etc and for second to have an additional backup - but don't like web applications for that, just feeling

Cloud is a web application, for all reasonable purposes.

(even was ramp checked away from the aircraft without the paper 'book in hand and the checker was fine with looking at the iPad accessing the MS cloud electronic backup - this is only happening in practical thinking countries ! ...).

No, there are no countries that require crew logbooks on board the aircraft that I can recall ever coming across. Certainly not in the UK, EU, Canada or USA where I hold licences.

G

[ChickenHouse]

Nonsense. Ramp checks are almost unheard of in the UK, and there is no legal requirement to carry your logbook in any regime I've come across.

How do you argue 90 days currency to carry passengers legally in a ramp check?

[Genghis the Engineer]

It doesn't happen. Nobody is stopping pilots and checking that. Our authorities have better things to do with their time. A logbook is also not a legally required document on board for either domestic or international flight, so even if they were that bored, they would have no right to demand it.

G

[Dougie_diesel]

Thanks for the feedback guys!

Advice from people already in the air is invaluable!