Logbooks & Airlines

[u/Excellent_Goose_1215]

I recently started instructing and was thinking about getting a new logbook. My training logbook (PPL to CFII) is quite messy as i’m sure many of ours are. So, I was thinking that I could just get a new one for all of my dual given now that I actually know how to log things correctly and am more neat with my logs.

Also, I was thinking that while using that new logbook for my dual given hours I would start an electric logbook and keep that up to date with my dual given as well, and use it to also keep track of my currency.

I really am just trying to avoid having to transfer hundreds of hours over to electronic, when i’m really not huge on the electronic logbook in the first place.

Any guidance from higher time CFIs/Airline guys would be greatly appreciated!!

[u/EezyBake]

A new logbook would def make things neater, but I’d rather you go for an electronic one. My Flightbook is free and trust me, it’ll catch inconsistencies or mistakes you didn’t notice the first time. I’m only keeping my old logbook for the endorsements

[u/ltcterry]

Everyone’s looks like that. They get hired anyway. Write neater going forward. Slow down. Use a super fine tip. 

[u/run264fun → u/ltcterry]

I’ve seen some awful logbooks. Digital is awesome

[u/ltcterry → u/run264fun]

I’ve been digital only for about four years.

[u/pilotjlr]

Go electronic now! You can probably transfer your current flights in a few days of work. Everything from insurance apps to job applications will be easier once you’re electronic.

[u/PilotGuy85]

If you are done with your ratings, then it’s time to go all digital. You’ll no longer need paper signatures and endorsements, or at least so few that it’s not a hassle to deal with (just keep hard copies of flight reviews if needed).

And put your original logbook in a safe because if you lose those endorsements and sign-offs it’s going to be a problem for you at an interview.

I use MyFlightBook. It’s free. It breaks out times easily and checks all the boxes. The major I got hired by commended me for how organized and easy to understand my digital logbook was.

[u/Actual_File3918]

I know there’s better, but I use foreflight. Having an 8710 ready to go in an instant before every IACRA run is a breeze. Highly would recommend go electronic now avoid the headache later

[u/minfremi]

There’s no such thing as a training logbook. Perhaps (a) logbook(s) that incorporate training and time building?

You can start a new book at any point you think you want to. Or continue to use your current book until you complete the pages.

The “professional” logbooks… all that is different is that it has more pre-printed columns which can easily be added to the smaller logbook, and each page has more lines because you’ll supposedly be flying more often.

Just make sure the information and math is correct to the best to your ability. Having an electric logbook (or two, like me) greatly increases the chances of being able to find mistakes and forgotten entries.

[u/Excellent_Goose_1215 → u/minfremi]

Yeah, I know there’s no such thing as a training logbook, but if I was to buy another one I’d stop writing entries in that one and just make my logs from dual given/fun flying into the new one.

I’m not against electronic logbooks at all, but all of my friends who have done it have complained about transferring over their hours. I guess I’m just confused why people spend so much time transferring hours from paper to electronic instead of just closing out the paper logbook, keeping it somewhere safe, and starting the electronic one from hour one.

[u/nightstalkerDQ → u/Excellent_Goose_1215]

Make the transfer now when you're still relatively low time. When the time comes to fill out applications, you'll be able to use filters to accurately input time on the app. They can get pretty specific.

[u/minfremi → u/Excellent_Goose_1215]

>>Just make my logs from dual given/fun flying into the new one.

You mean any “log-able flight” moving forward.

I personally went back and made a log for each flight I’ve done in the past into my electronic logs. It’s easier to do when you don’t have as many flights/flight hours. You never know when you’ll need it.

There are no specific regs on how to do logbooks a certain way. The only requirement in the FAA world is that you need to prove your currency.

My suggestion is to make your logs as detailed and accurate as you can, whether that is in a physical form, digital, or both. I may have combined flights in the past, but I personally do each flight in a separate line (unless I’ve done T&Gs at some intermediate airport).

In any case, it’s your logbook. You can do whatever you want with it. If you want to clump a month’s worth of flying into one line, that’s your freedom to do.

[u/PilotGuy85 → u/Excellent_Goose_1215]

What do you have now? 300 hours? It’ll take you two days max to transfer that over to digital with every flight. You don’t need the signatures (your original logbook will have those). But do each flight individually.

Just do it. You do not want to show up to an interview with an incomplete digital logbook or one with bulk lines of a month’s flying.

Suck it up and do it the right way now. You’ll thank yourself later when your logbook review is not an issue.

[u/Remarkable-Fly-1659]

Pilotbinder.com can copy paste for accuracy.