Do I need a logbook ?
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Do I need a logbook ?
Sorry if this is a stupid question but i'm unsure on the matter. I just started my PPL training with the goal of eventually completing the full f-ATPL. I'm two lessons in and my instructor hasn't mentioned anything about the logbook. Won't I need a logbook as proof of my 200h when applying to the airlines ?
Lastly can someone recommend me a good logbook, digital or paperback?
Thanks
Lastly can someone recommend me a good logbook, digital or paperback?
Thanks
Moderator
Yes, if you are receiving qualifying instruction, you sure want to be logging it in your personal pilot logbook! For a short period, you can recreate entries which have not been made and should have been, by going back the the flying school records, though that is not something which should be expected months or years later. There is not reason to fly as a student receiving training, solo, or PIC, without recording that experience for future qualification. Very certainly your instructor should have provided you with a pilot training record following the first training flight. Follow that up with he/she....
It's not that unusual that schools don't bother to mention a logbook for the first few lessons, as it's easy enough to retrospectively enter the first few flights from school records.
If you're going professional, I'd buy something labelled as either "FAA Professional" or "EASA compliant professional". For example...
https://transair.co.uk/pilot-supplie...-book-non-easa
https://www.pooleys.com/shop/pooleys...ying-log-book/
https://www.afeonline.com/shop/afe-p...s-logbook.html
(Those three links probably represent the most popular FAA logbook, and the two most popular EASA logbooks for professional pilots. It's really not a problem switching between EASA and FAA without changing logbook - but it's probably easiest to start as you mean to go on. That means also commencing an electronic backup - there are various commercial products to do that, or write your own; just google that topic and you'll find plenty of options and recommendations.)
Incidentally, I used one of these for 20 years (before eventually designing my own) with a mixture of CAA, JAA, EASA and FAA licences - and no great problems beyond having to change a few column headings manually... I still like it.
https://www.pooleys.com/shop/pooleys...ilots-log-book
G
If you're going professional, I'd buy something labelled as either "FAA Professional" or "EASA compliant professional". For example...
https://transair.co.uk/pilot-supplie...-book-non-easa
https://www.pooleys.com/shop/pooleys...ying-log-book/
https://www.afeonline.com/shop/afe-p...s-logbook.html
(Those three links probably represent the most popular FAA logbook, and the two most popular EASA logbooks for professional pilots. It's really not a problem switching between EASA and FAA without changing logbook - but it's probably easiest to start as you mean to go on. That means also commencing an electronic backup - there are various commercial products to do that, or write your own; just google that topic and you'll find plenty of options and recommendations.)
Incidentally, I used one of these for 20 years (before eventually designing my own) with a mixture of CAA, JAA, EASA and FAA licences - and no great problems beyond having to change a few column headings manually... I still like it.
https://www.pooleys.com/shop/pooleys...ilots-log-book
G
The main thing is to keep an accurate record of your flying. In the early days, ask your instruct to talk you through how to complete the log properly and make sure your logbook agrees with what your training record says; it’ll save you a lot of hassle when it’s time to apply for your first licence. I prefer an electronic logbook as it is really easy to generate reports for the various totals often required by either the Authority or employer. There are plenty around that are fully compliant and accepted by the authority.
Finally, if you stick with the paper version, I would recommend recording your time in decimal (every 6 mins is 0.1) as it makes totalling the columns at the end of each page much easier.
Finally, if you stick with the paper version, I would recommend recording your time in decimal (every 6 mins is 0.1) as it makes totalling the columns at the end of each page much easier.
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The main thing is to keep an accurate record of your flying. In the early days, ask your instruct to talk you through how to complete the log properly and make sure your logbook agrees with what your training record says; it’ll save you a lot of hassle when it’s time to apply for your first licence. I prefer an electronic logbook as it is really easy to generate reports for the various totals often required by either the Authority or employer. There are plenty around that are fully compliant and accepted by the authority.
Finally, if you stick with the paper version, I would recommend recording your time in decimal (every 6 mins is 0.1) as it makes totalling the columns at the end of each page much easier.
Finally, if you stick with the paper version, I would recommend recording your time in decimal (every 6 mins is 0.1) as it makes totalling the columns at the end of each page much easier.
It works on Mac and PC. I also use it to double-check there have been no counting errors in my paper logbook.
Of course, 99.999999% of pilots need those hours to prove something - thus the pedantic comment!
mccPilotlog is not supported anymore, the business is moving over to a new version, Crewlounge Pilotlog, see here for more about this: Best Electronic Pilot Logbook
I'm on mccPilotlog myself and wondering whether to switch to something else entirely as I'm not that impressed with the new offer. I wouldn't recommend getting mccPilotlog now as the app will not be updated.
I'm on mccPilotlog myself and wondering whether to switch to something else entirely as I'm not that impressed with the new offer. I wouldn't recommend getting mccPilotlog now as the app will not be updated.
Most of the rest of the world require all flights as crew in any capacity to be logged.
G
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If I was going to start again I would get two professional log books, fill them in in parallel and I would keep an excel backup. Also top tip write your name on the top and bottom across the ends of the pages. That way when you are trying to find your log book in a pile of 25 other identical ones you don't need to open every book.
The reason for two paper logs is you occasionally have to send your log book to the caa. I always send my number 2 logbook. They haven't failed to send it back yet, but if they did I still have the number 1 logbook.
The reason for the excel copy is it makes adding up the type time soooo much easier. I'd be wary of commercially available electronic log books. When they fold what happens? I've used them blissfully in the past until I upgrade from windows 7 to 10 and then you find it's not supported on 10.
It all sounds an arse but when you pay £400+ per hour make sure you don't lose any of it. Enjoy your flying.
The reason for two paper logs is you occasionally have to send your log book to the caa. I always send my number 2 logbook. They haven't failed to send it back yet, but if they did I still have the number 1 logbook.
The reason for the excel copy is it makes adding up the type time soooo much easier. I'd be wary of commercially available electronic log books. When they fold what happens? I've used them blissfully in the past until I upgrade from windows 7 to 10 and then you find it's not supported on 10.
It all sounds an arse but when you pay £400+ per hour make sure you don't lose any of it. Enjoy your flying.
If I was going to start again I would get two professional log books, fill them in in parallel and I would keep an excel backup. Also top tip write your name on the top and bottom across the ends of the pages. That way when you are trying to find your log book in a pile of 25 other identical ones you don't need to open every book.
The reason for two paper logs is you occasionally have to send your log book to the caa. I always send my number 2 logbook. They haven't failed to send it back yet, but if they did I still have the number 1 logbook.
The reason for the excel copy is it makes adding up the type time soooo much easier. I'd be wary of commercially available electronic log books. When they fold what happens? I've used them blissfully in the past until I upgrade from windows 7 to 10 and then you find it's not supported on 10.
It all sounds an arse but when you pay £400+ per hour make sure you don't lose any of it. Enjoy your flying.
The reason for two paper logs is you occasionally have to send your log book to the caa. I always send my number 2 logbook. They haven't failed to send it back yet, but if they did I still have the number 1 logbook.
The reason for the excel copy is it makes adding up the type time soooo much easier. I'd be wary of commercially available electronic log books. When they fold what happens? I've used them blissfully in the past until I upgrade from windows 7 to 10 and then you find it's not supported on 10.
It all sounds an arse but when you pay £400+ per hour make sure you don't lose any of it. Enjoy your flying.
They've always accepted it. The Excel logbook is backed up to two different places automatically as part of my normal data backup.
G
Moderator
I make no assertion as to what any regulator requires or accepts. However, reading the Canadian regulations leads one to the understanding that an acceptable log of piloting experience is required to be presented when applying for an additional piloting privilege ('makes sense to me). Since the advent of Execl, that's been my sole format for recording my flying experience, and it is of course backed up. When I presented myself for a fixed wing CPL, I took my notebook computer, and showed across the counter, my Excel pilot log. I offered to sort and print it however the inspector wished, and he kindly declined having it on paper, seeing I had it, and recording totals on his form seemed to be enough. When I did my PPLH, I did maintain a separate pilot training record (PTR) log, and was told that when I submitted it for my license, it would not be returned. I haven't maintained a paper logbook since 1987.
I keep a paper logbook (Australian style) and starting this year, an additional electronic one. (www.myflightbook.com). I've used my Oz logbooks for Oz, US, & UK ATPLs without any problems. When I started the electronic one I took the time (months) to enter every single flight over 36 years and nearly 9k hours into it.
Starting a US airline job this year I presented both the paper and printed out versions.
re why myflightbook.com? I wanted any electronic log to have a downloadable copy that was readable by damn near anything. This does Excel spreadsheet and comma delimited text. It also does a large range of country specific formats - and is free! But feel free to donate, like I did.
Starting a US airline job this year I presented both the paper and printed out versions.
re why myflightbook.com? I wanted any electronic log to have a downloadable copy that was readable by damn near anything. This does Excel spreadsheet and comma delimited text. It also does a large range of country specific formats - and is free! But feel free to donate, like I did.
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I have a paper logbook as primary, and electronic (written by me in Excel as none of the commercial products suited my personal needs) as secondary. When I need to send anything to the CAA, they get a printout of the Excel logbook (printed on A3 it works out about 100hrs per side of paper), with my signature on the first and last pages stating "I certify that this is a true copy of my original logbook". I then shred the printout once they've sent it back with my licence.
They've always accepted it. The Excel logbook is backed up to two different places automatically as part of my normal data backup.
G
They've always accepted it. The Excel logbook is backed up to two different places automatically as part of my normal data backup.
G
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