21st Century Logbooks

[BEFAN5]

I am making the switch to an electronic logbook. I figure now is the time as I have started my first airline job and it will just make the process easier down the road.

I was wondering what others do in terms of electronic books with getting them certified etc? Do you print them out by reporting periods and get them certified when needed, then just keep them in a binder or what? My worry with the electronic logbook is that certification is not as easy as a book format. My paper log has signatures and certifications from all my schools etc. Now that I am doing this electronically, what is suggested? Do you print out your flight totals from a company when you are leaving them and get them certified, then place the printed totals with signatures in a binder etc?

[Xander]

Hello,

I use Safelog and I must say that I'm very satisfied with this program.

Once in a while, I make a printout that I keep in a leather binder. Getting it certified is also very simple: I ask my CP who then stamps it and signs it. That's all.

The only difference with a real logbook is that it's much easier. For everything. No more hassle. No more calculations. It even does duty and your expenses.

In my Jazz interview I used my electronic logbook printout and there was no problem.

Hope that helps.

[Redneck_pilot86]

What is the big issue with certifying log books? At the bottom of each page in my VIP published log book, I sign something to the effect of "entries and times certified correct" and date it. Since different logs have a different amount of entries per page, it would appear that a signature at any point (by the logbook holder) certifies all previous entries, so would a signature to the same effect not certify an electronic logbook? Whether that is a signature at the bottom of a printout or a separate document to certify the electronic file, is my signature on my log not enough?

[FlaplessDork]

I use LogTen Pro for the Mac. You can print off separate certification/endorsement sheets that can be signed then scanned and placed into the electronic log.

[frac]

Whether that is a signature at the bottom of a printout or a separate document to certify the electronic file, is my signature on my log not enough?

It seems to be enough, I got my ATPL-A issued last year providing TC with an extract of my electronic logbook and my signature certifying the package on the date of submission.

Regards,

Frac

[ILSfan07]

Hello,

I use Safelog and I must say that I'm very satisfied with this program.

Any experience with the blackberry app? Quite tempted to try it out, but I'm hesitant to drop $179 on the blackberry version. PC only is $79, so just trying to decide if it's worth it. Can you change duty times, etc based on the type of flying you can do?

If anyone else has tried this, good or bad, would love to hear from you!

[willing to fly]

+1 for the LogTen Pro.
FWIW, Transport doesn't require companies to certify logbooks correct any longer. That's what your signature is for. If you have need to print out an electronic logbook for any reason Transport will accept it with your signature on top stating that the times are correct.

[Xander]

Any experience with the blackberry app? Quite tempted to try it out, but I'm hesitant to drop $179 on the blackberry version. PC only is $79, so just trying to decide if it's worth it. Can you change duty times, etc based on the type of flying you can do?

Sorry I don't have a Blackberry, so I havent tried this feature.

Yeah duty time is customizable. I mean, you just enter start time and end time and you get a total for the day.

It's totally worth the 79 bucks. I've recommended it to colleagues already and they love it.

[Hedley]

Transport doesn't require companies to certify logbooks correct any longer

I quote verbatim from the latest copy of the Transport Canada Authorized Person Guidelines, under Experience:

Note: The Authorized Person must verify that the flight training requirements have been met by checking for a logbook, certified by the applicant's C.F.I. or Instructor.

If you've got your ATPL, fill your boots however you want.

[CPLMike89]

I keep a paper copy as well as a digital copy on my laptop, maybe im just paranoid about losing one or the other.

[BEFAN5]

I keep a paper copy as well as a digital copy on my laptop, maybe im just paranoid about losing one or the other.

That is my idea. I am still doing the paper one, but am starting the electronic one for easy totals etc.

[Janszoon]

It's totally worth the 79 bucks. I've recommended it to colleagues already and they love it.

Referring to Safelog, isn't that $79 only for 3 years of use? How much is it to renew a subscription after those initial 3 years?

[airwalk00]

I am using Logbook Pro. I bought it for about 90 bucks 2 years ago. It has all the bells and whistles and you can easily find out what your flight time is for any given period of time. There is an app for the iphone and you can sync it from time to time with your PC version. Print out a paper version whenever you want, whatever columns you want to suit your needs. So far I;m liking it.

AW

[modi13]

You can also make your own for free using a spreadsheet like Excel or OpenOffice. If you know how to use the SUM function you can make add up any totals you want; you can add a cell for multi-engine night x-country co-pilot if you want. You can also put in columns for instructing, turbine, or any other divisions you think might be important that wouldn't be found in a generic logbook.

[Chaxterium]

If you have a Mac I highly recommend LogTen Pro. It's the best electronic logbook program I've used by far but what I find most amazing is the tech support. Any issues you have they take care of them really quickly. If you have a program that you can't fix yourself you can email them your logbook file and they'll fix it for you.

All around excellent program!

[FlaplessDork]

Note: The Authorized Person must verify that the flight training requirements have been met by checking for a logbook, certified by the applicant's C.F.I. or Instructor.

If you've got your ATPL, fill your boots however you want.

Now the question is which logbook. Is a signed PTR is good enough? It's a logbook.

[fingersmac]

If you have a Mac I highly recommend LogTen Pro

I wholeheartedly agree. Logten Pro is a fantastic program.

I just took the time to figure out how to fully customize my logbook using html. Logten Pro allows you to dive into the code that makes up each of the included logbook templates. It's a little tricky at first but once you figure it out you can display what ever you want in your printed version. I like the Jeppesen Professional Logbook because it's laid out more conveniently than the typical TC book but I still found it wasn't quite right. So I was able to edit it through Logten Pro (via html) and add, delete and change some of the columns to be more relevant. I added a turbine column, deleted the helicopter and glider ones. I also added a column for the PIC and SIC and one for the route flown since I do daily totals.

Just make sure you keep a back up file and/or print out the sheets from time to time. I have mine printed out and put in a nice landscape binder with each page signed by an authorized person, me.

[200hr Wonder]

LOL I added a gif of my signature to my LogTen Pro logbook so every page is signed by me... Digitally


On the day I send off my ATPL application I am going to get a logbook printed on archival paper and bound in leather.

The uber nice part about Logbook pro is you can attach digital photos right int he logbook as part of the comments section.

[ahramin]

I have an excel spreadsheet that I use as a logbook. Never got anything certified. Didn't have a problem with my ATPL.