Logbooks... electronic, paper or both
- Thread starter Johnny150
- Start date
Lefty
Well-Known Member
I used a paper logs for awhile and then switched to Logbook Pro. The truth of that matter is you will kind of have to keep both. I don't know what your experience is, but you need sigs for endorsements, CFI sigs etc.
PS - Check out all the electronic options. I really liked logbook pro until I got a Mac. Safelog is pretty awesome. Can be used on multiple devices with multiple operating systems.
PS - Check out all the electronic options. I really liked logbook pro until I got a Mac. Safelog is pretty awesome. Can be used on multiple devices with multiple operating systems.
PhilosopherPilot
Well-Known Member
I haven't filled out paper since my 121 career started in 2005. I was able to get hired at another airline with just a printed and bound copy of my electronic logbook. LogTen will make a nice PDF that you can take to Kinkos. They did a spiral binding that looked pretty good, and there weren't any typos. 
ClarkGriswold
Non Nutritive Cereal Varnish Engineer
This, and I just made a big forwarding entry from my old logbook into Logten to start. Take both to the interview and your good to go.I haven't filled out paper since my 121 career started in 2005. I was able to get hired at another airline with just a printed and bound copy of my electronic logbook. LogTen will make a nice PDF that you can take to Kinkos. They did a spiral binding that looked pretty good, and there weren't any typos.
Is there any advantage of going back to day 1 and manually putting all your times in there? Or is just forwarding from your old paper logbook considered an acceptable practice?
ClarkGriswold
Non Nutritive Cereal Varnish Engineer
I've done 4 interviews with it like that and no one said anything. I had both logbooks with if they wanted to look at the old tuff obviously. My arguement is it is no different than when you start another logbook.
Is there any advantage of going back to day 1 and manually putting all your times in there? Or is just forwarding from your old paper logbook considered an acceptable practice?
How about filling out an 8710? Don't you have to go back through your paper logbook?
ClarkGriswold
Non Nutritive Cereal Varnish Engineer
Thats the only advantage I see, yes I did but it really wasn't too bad. The time spent on doing that was far less than if I entered everything in. Plus once you get your ATP 8710s are easy.
I just ticked over 2100 hours with 98% of that being day VFR single engine piston dual given. My guess is back logging would take a few weekends to get caught up.
Max Power
Well-Known Member
I would say that it's worth it at any point, but the less time the better. Might be point of diminishing return after 2000+ though. I did it just to have another record of my time. Plus, you can correct times, add in more Remarks, etc. without breaking out the correction fluid or black pen. Also, when you're filling out the #$@!& Airline Apps or other application, you can call up all your totals or break them down as you need to.
I've been using an electronic log for 5 years now. When I was at PDT, I used a Palm Tungsten and LogBook Pro to track my time. With the schedule import function, it made logging trips really simple. Importantly, it made 30/7 easy to track and when I got off the trip, I would sync it and logbook was done. Even easier now with just about any device, but I keep using LogBook Pro. Have it for iPad and Cloud service.
At two interviews , they were fine with the spiral bound one I had Kinko's print up. The green paper they use is really close to Jepp green. You could go a bit further and have one three hole punched with your own binder, that way you just add pages.
Eagle421flyer
Well-Known Member
I'm in the same boat except I have an iphone, ipad, and pc. I have pretty much decided that logbook pro is the best for the pc but I'm happy to hear if anyone has other suggestions as I haven't bought logbook pro yet.
PhilosopherPilot
Well-Known Member
I actually went back and entered everything. It took forever, but now I can run reports on my whole logbook. It's really up to you, but I really like having that ability.
Houston
Well-Known Member
I like the idea of both.
Over the years I've known several people who had their logbooks lost or damaged one way or another. To my complete surprise, I wanted to dig out one of my old logbooks and couldn't find it, so I now fall into that group too. By going electronic you have belt and suspenders. I also scan important endorsements and keep them in the computer and on the backup.
I know the great majority of people will use some commercial software designed for logbooks. Personally, I think using Excel is a better option. It's a product that is always going to be supported and it is widely available.
Over the years I've known several people who had their logbooks lost or damaged one way or another. To my complete surprise, I wanted to dig out one of my old logbooks and couldn't find it, so I now fall into that group too. By going electronic you have belt and suspenders. I also scan important endorsements and keep them in the computer and on the backup.
I know the great majority of people will use some commercial software designed for logbooks. Personally, I think using Excel is a better option. It's a product that is always going to be supported and it is widely available.