Correct PIC Name in EASA Pilot Logbook
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2026
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
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From: Berlin
Correct PIC Name in EASA Pilot Logbook
Hi,
I want to start a new EASA Pilot Logbook and I have read that, you can write as PIC Name SELF instead of your real surname when you acted as PIC.
Did anybody did this the same way or got Problems with that, I have heard that people who applied later for CPL, got the licence rejected from the authority because of that ?
But I think for me it‘s just easier to fill out the Logbook and the pages are looking cleaner.
I try now to build hours for ATPL, parallel to my 9/5 Job, so want to do the paperwork Logbook as good as I can.
Thank you for the answers
I want to start a new EASA Pilot Logbook and I have read that, you can write as PIC Name SELF instead of your real surname when you acted as PIC.
Did anybody did this the same way or got Problems with that, I have heard that people who applied later for CPL, got the licence rejected from the authority because of that ?
But I think for me it‘s just easier to fill out the Logbook and the pages are looking cleaner.
I try now to build hours for ATPL, parallel to my 9/5 Job, so want to do the paperwork Logbook as good as I can.
Thank you for the answers
Joined: Apr 2009
Aviation Qualifications: Non-Aircrew
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 704
From: DM33
Regional aviation differences never stop surprising me.
When I was keeping paper log books I had a column for entering PIC hours. If the PIC column was empty I was not PIC and entered the hours as instruction received. The person who was PIC signed that log entry.
Why would I ever need to say that I, self, or me was the person logging PIC? My logs are for my flight time not for someone else's.
There were never enough columns in a paper log for me to record and total what I wanted and that's one of the reasons I abandoned paper logs in favor of computer records.
When I was keeping paper log books I had a column for entering PIC hours. If the PIC column was empty I was not PIC and entered the hours as instruction received. The person who was PIC signed that log entry.
Why would I ever need to say that I, self, or me was the person logging PIC? My logs are for my flight time not for someone else's.
There were never enough columns in a paper log for me to record and total what I wanted and that's one of the reasons I abandoned paper logs in favor of computer records.

Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 395
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From: anywhere
The op mentions aiming to achieve professional pilot qualifications, in which case their logbook will have to stand up to scrutiny from the regulator.
The EASA rule is:
so the only people whose opinion really matters is the LBA. The mostly UK based responses here may not apply.
The EASA rule is:
FCL.050 Recording of flight time
The pilot shall keep a reliable record of the details of all flights flown in a form and manner established by the competent authority.
The pilot shall keep a reliable record of the details of all flights flown in a form and manner established by the competent authority.
Joined: Apr 2009
Aviation Qualifications: Non-Aircrew
Posts: 1,601
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From: DM33
"The pilot shall keep a reliable record of the details of all flights flown in a form and manner established by the competent authority."
Not a useful reference without a definition of, and associated reference to, "form and manner established".
Not a useful reference without a definition of, and associated reference to, "form and manner established".
Last edited by EXDAC; 29th May 2026 at 00:07.

Joined: Dec 2005
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
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From: Hong Kong



Joined: Mar 2002
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
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From: near an aeroplane
AMC1 FCL.050 Recording of flight time
GENERAL
(a) The record of the flights flown should contain at least the following information:
(1) personal details: name(s) and address of the pilot;
(2) for each flight:
(i) name(s) of PIC;
GENERAL
(a) The record of the flights flown should contain at least the following information:
(1) personal details: name(s) and address of the pilot;
(2) for each flight:
(i) name(s) of PIC;

Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,198
Likes: 32
From: France
I too have always entered “Self” in the PIC column, without any problems over the last 54 years. UK, EASA, FAA never raised any issues.
I did fly with a copilot called David Self. I made sure to include his initial !
I did fly with a copilot called David Self. I made sure to include his initial !










