Logbook pro questions

[Hootie]

1. Well the last paper item I own to be digitalized is the logbook. So which is preferred...logpook pro or whatever that other popular one is (logten or something) ?

2. Since I am not sentimental, I am considering lumping all part 91 time into the first entry and then picking up after that with a more detailed 135/121 logs. Is this crazy?

3. Also I have never kept comments on the side as I found there was too much writing space for the average flight and not nearly enough room for a flight that involved something out of the ordinary. But instead kept noteworthy comments in a seperate word document. Is this acceptable?

4. For those who do use a digital logbook exclusively, when you have an interview do you just kill a tree and print the whole thing or is it acceptable to come to an interview with the totals and maybe the past 12 months of detailed logs?

Thanks!

 

[AirmetTango]

FWIW, here's my opinion:

1. Logbook Pro is absolutely the best investment you can make if you are interested in an electronic logbook. Extremely versatile, easy to use, and won't suddenly vaporize like the on-line alternatives. Standard version is $70, Professional version is $100. The standard version is just fine, but I recommend the professional version for the extra $30 bucks (easy for me to say, since I got it as a gift!). The main difference for me is the license to install on more than one machine, and a sweet PC-to-PC sync feature, but there are also some nice Part 135/Part 121 specific features in pro version as well. A lot of folks balk at the price, but the support on the product is top notch, it's continuously updated, and they have never charged for the updates. Look at it this way - I've used Logbook Pro for the last 7 years, so it averages less than $15 a year (and decreasing!). Solid investment in my opinion.

2. Probably fine, but I made the investment of time to enter each line from the paper log once I made the switch. I had about 3 years worth of data to put in (maybe 500 or so hours?), but I like having the full log in electronic format. Don't ask how long it took

3. As far as I know, you can do whatever you want for comments. Nothing in the FARs about keeping remarks.

4. Can't help on this one (assuming anything I've said so far is a help!) - I keep both electronic and paper still.

 

[TwilightFan91]

My suggestion is to try one of the free logbooks first. If it doesn't cut the mustard for you, for whatever reason, then and only then go with something you pay for. I, personally, haven't paid for a single piece of software since the Pentium II days. Not because I'm a pirate, but because theres always something just as good out there thats free. For just about every application you can think of, theres exist a free open source alternative, and pilot logbook software is no exception.

check this out:
http://wikiplaneia.com/wiki/Comparison_of_Pilot_Logbook_Software

 

[Michigan_Flyer]

I second using Log Book Pro, it is the best thing out there.

I think number two makes sense if you have quite a bit of flight time already.

I suggest printing out the whole thing and keeping it in a binder. You can either buy one from Log Book Pro (pretty pricey) or just order a "landscape" style binder online.

 

[wheelsup]

If you have access to MS Access or even a spread sheet program you can create your own logbook in there, save as CSV, and import it into logbook pro. I just imported 5000 hours of flights into LP from a CSV file. Went like clockwork.

That way you don't have to buy logbook pro right now, you can get started and see if you stick with it (electronic logging) and once you have finished you can purchase LP.

As an alternative there is a torrent of LP out there, if you still want to support the program you can always download the torrent, see if you like it (full fledged version) and see if you are able to import all your stuff correctly, then purchase it.

 

[v1valarob]

Flightlogg.in allows you to receive a CVS back up email every week.

Try the website, and if you dig it, switch over to LBpro

 

[Boris Badenov]

I've been very happy with Logbook Pro, and the support is, as mentioned above, excellent. I entered about 1300 hours when I got it...it was not easy or fun, but it was definitely worth it. I printed it out once...just add the relevant pages when going to the next interview. Make sure you use the same paper.

 

[SIUav8er]

How did your interviews like the digitzed logbook? I also have LB pro, but dont feel comfortable bringing printouts of my logbook to an interview, so I keep my paper logbook up to date as well... I guess im just affraid to make the switch.

 

[KSCessnaDriver]

Flightlogg.in allows you to receive a CVS back up email every week.

Try the website, and if you dig it, switch over to LBpro

Heck, I've got Flightlogg.in set to send me an excel file every day that something gets changed/edited on my logbook. Might be overkill, but that way I'm sure I've got the data, if it goes away online.

 

[TVB]

For those mac users out here logten pro is a pretty good alternative to logbook pro. The mobile companion version is a little pricey but has worked out well for me so far. I was considering logbook pro but it seems like they were never going to make an iphone app so I went with the all mac setup.

 

[Boris Badenov]

How did your interviews like the digitzed logbook?

I've never had anyone even bat an eyelash. Some have looked through them a little to make sure the flights recorded match up with my job record, but no one ever mentioned the fact that they were from a computer. Let's face it, you can fake a paper log just as easily as a computerized one. The proof you're not making things up is in your job history and your abilities.

 

[v1valarob]

I was considering logbook pro but it seems like they were never going to make an iphone app so I went with the all mac setup.

Looks like they just announced a LogBook Pro PDA companion App.

I'm happy to report that our Logbook Pro PDA Companion for the iPhone is almost complete. The app has been in private beta for two weeks now and we're putting the finishing touches on it. Once we've completed our testing we'll submit it to Apple and then wait for their response, which hopefully will be a timely approval. Apps can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to be approved.

The Logbook Pro iPhone edition is designed to be easy to use and allow for rapid entry. Synchronization is done through a new system we created called "Web Sync" which will allow Logbook Pro 1.10.50 (a free update) to communicate with PDA devices that subscribe to this service. This allows us to add additional device support later (read Android) when that time comes and anything else we can add to the mix.

Thank you for the patience, support, feedback, and suggestions. We will announce the availability of this exciting new addition to the Logbook Pro family via our web site and newsletter system. We hope to have our iPad product released within a short period after the iPhone app is released.

 

[NC_BE300]

Very very interesting to read....

I was considering getting the LogTen app for the ipod i carry, even though Logbook Pro is the baseline for my PC's.

Really curious how this will be.

Any ideas on how much $ ?

 

[v1valarob]

LogBook Pro PDA companion right now is $29.95 for other PDAs.

 

[NC_BE300]

Is there any info floating around if this iPod/Phone app will be geared towards a particular pilot group?

Such as how they have the Logbook Pro ADPL edition, etc etc.

Or maybe just a generic entry system?

 

[kellwolf]

Is there any info floating around if this iPod/Phone app will be geared towards a particular pilot group?

Such as how they have the Logbook Pro ADPL edition, etc etc.

Or maybe just a generic entry system?

It's the LBP logbook program, not APDL. According the NC, APDL for the iPhone is way on the backburner. I've moved on and I'm looking for a similar Droid app at this point. I'm kicking around the idea of writing my own.

 

[kellwolf]

Well, looks like someone's working on a Droid logbook app. I'm currently down with the sickness, otherwise I'd try it on the road. Just screwing around with it at home, looks about like Flogger on the iPhone. It's called Intellipilot, and it's in the Droid Marketplace on Verizon, not sure about Sprint. Anyway, test drove it, and it looks like it'll do the job. Exports to a format that can be imported into LBP, so it works for me. Doesn't do a lot of the stuff APDL does as far as tracking 30/7, Whitlow, etc, but if you just want something to log stuff on the road and then sync with your logbook when you get back, it'll work. Oh....and it's free.