Logbook Cleanup

Dynasty22

Dynasty22

Well-Known Member
After recently passing 100 hours recently, I was told by my instructor who used to be a DPE that the FAA frowns upon white out in the logbook. Problem is, at the 141 school, I wrote everything in pencil first, then went over it again in pen. Problem is once I reached the time for review before my checkride, many mistakes were made and had fix these mistakes using white out. Now, my logbook looks very messy and would like to find a way to make it look clean and professional.

I feel my best option is to buy Logbook Pro, but say FAA rides up to me and asks for the original, or for a job interview down the line. If the new bill out there requires flight training records to be presented, will this include original logbooks? Only reason I ask this is because I am real nervous and big papi is out doing his own flying and his trip doesnt end til the end of the week (no idea what his bid is). His logbook was in pencil when he started flying and didnt start using pen until 10-15 years ago. Im not talking about getting rid of the logbook as that would be retarded, just cleaning it up by purchasing new software or create clean copies on new pages?

Thanks for all the help,
JJ the Very Confused Pilot
 
It is true that white out is frowned upon and you may have to explain it at some point. Being it happened early in your career it won't be that big of deal later on. We all make mistakes starting out and most will understand and can tell if you were trying to pull something or not. I have whiteout/greenout in one of my logs too....

You have a few options here in IMO....

1. Get a new master Jeppesen Logbook and transfer your totals over to the new log and log carefully from here on and only use 1 color pen. Decide now if you want to use blue or black in the paper log. I prefer blue. Xerox the pertinent sign-offs and put them in the back of the new log. If asked, you may still need to present the pooched one and explain the whiteout.

2. You could go with an E-log such as Logbook Pro. It is great for making a professional printout in a bound leather logbook. It will also help keep you from making mathematical errors in a paper log should you decide to keep both. With the endorsement and note pages you could xerox your pertinent sign-offs over and place them in the back for safe keeping. Then you would only need to show the messed up first log if asked.

PM me if you have any questions out the program or click on my link below for more info about the program and all its printing and report options.
 
try to make it look clean but its going to look messy throughout training...mine has whole pages Xed out, examiners will understand and as long as its readable and nothing looks out of the ordinary

but keep it as neat as possible to be on the safe side
 
100 hours isn't too much...maybe you could get your instructor(s) to re-endorse entries in a new logbook explaining the situation?

Personally, I use an E-book and life is easy so I'd honestly recommend that.

-mini
 
minitour said:
100 hours isn't too much...maybe you could get your instructor(s) to re-endorse entries in a new logbook explaining the situation?

Personally, I use an E-book and life is easy so I'd honestly recommend that.

-mini
Click to expand...

Getting CFI's to signoff a new logs is harder than you think. I did it for student of mine and it was a PITA...Since I had to verify everything he put in the remarks section for what we did...
 
Yeah, I wouldn't re-endourse everything, but I think at the 100 hour mark I wouldn't be that worried about it either. I have white out in one of my early log books too.

Now what I do is make a line item correction if needed and explain it in the notes off to the side.
 
Dynasty22 said:
FAA frowns upon white out in the logbook. ...would like to find a way to make it look clean and professional.
Click to expand...

I think you're worrying about nothing. If someone asks about the whiteout, just say you made a mistake, as if that isn't obvious. I wouldn't put much faith in what other people say the FAA does or does not frown on....most such reports are very unreliable and you just can't live your life that way. If you can't find it in writing, it probably isn't true.

Rather than wasting oodles of time fixing the past, just start making neat logbook entries today.
 
tgrayson said:
I wouldn't put much faith in what other people say the FAA does or does not frown on....most such reports are very unreliable and you just can't live your life that way. If you can't find it in writing, it probably isn't true.
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True dat..

Your not even required to log time unless its for training or currency So no worries, go have a beer and white out all you want.
 
For those who keep electronic logbook do you keep a paper one to? I have both, actually I two papers one due to gliding. But when times comes I need my logbook for a interview I will just print off my logbook pro version. Looks more professional. Also if your going to keep a paper book do not, i repeat do not, try to make it look nicer by making slash marks all over each entry. I thought it looked cool till my commecial DPE bout had a heart attack over it. But now I keep a paper book just because I dont go onto logbook pro everynight to update it. I just update like once every 3 days.
 
A lot of people are really adamant about using one colored pens and the like, ehh, I use whatever company pen my company has, or a black gel pen. Frankly, it doesn't seem to matter that much. At my interview for spernaks they didn't even ask to see it, when I asked why they said, "we'll know if you've got the time five minutes into the eval flight."
 
ppragman said:
A lot of people are really adamant about using one colored pens and the like, ehh, I use whatever company pen my company has, or a black gel pen. Frankly, it doesn't seem to matter that much. At my interview for spernaks they didn't even ask to see it, when I asked why they said, "we'll know if you've got the time five minutes into the eval flight."
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I prefer purple crayon. It really stands out on that green paper. :beer:
 
I make my new students start out logging time with one of those FAT pencils and a big chief tablet. When thats full, they move up to a real log book. :)
 
ppragman said:
A lot of people are really adamant about using one colored pens and the like, ehh, I use whatever company pen my company has, or a black gel pen. Frankly, it doesn't seem to matter that much. At my interview for spernaks they didn't even ask to see it, when I asked why they said, "we'll know if you've got the time five minutes into the eval flight."
Click to expand...
Same, never asked for my logbook at MRA. They use the resume you send in as evidence that you meet the 135 requirements.

I'm beginning not to really care. If a company that WAS going to hire me decided not to hire me based on the fact that half of my logbook is written in purple ink then I have to wonder if I would want to work there anyway! :p
 
So I had somebody write multi-engine time in my logbook one time, and I just greened it out, replaced it with my next flight and wrote a note at the bottom of the page about it. Is the FAA gona think that's fishy?
 
Another question to those who have switched to an electronic logbook:

How did you log your instructor's signature on entries with dual received?
 
jeffkazoo said:
Another question to those who have switched to an electronic logbook:

How did you log your instructor's signature on entries with dual received?
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I have a few scans from pages that were salvageable out of my paper logbook and that's it. :dunno:

If someone has a problem with it, at this point, I don't really care. If the feds want my certificates over it, it means I get a job where I sleep in my own bed every night. Not a bad trade-off. :rotfl:

When I get dual now, normally there's a training evaluation form that goes along with it or I get a report from FSI/the check airman. So...not too much to worry about really.

I honestly go months at a time without updating my logbook normally...it just isn't high on my priority list. I make sure I'm legal (current) and can prove it and move along with my day.

-mini
 
SpiraMirabilis said:
Same, never asked for my logbook at MRA. They use the resume you send in as evidence that you meet the 135 requirements.

I'm beginning not to really care. If a company that WAS going to hire me decided not to hire me based on the fact that half of my logbook is written in purple ink then I have to wonder if I would want to work there anyway! :p
Click to expand...

My sentiments exactly, how are things going for you at Martinaire?
 
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