Free logbook entry slot

[flyingsweetpotato]

I have the expensive logbook from Aviation World.

As you can see on the picture,
this logbook has 5 optional entry slots on the far right, under a single category.


I currently have 1 slot filled with "Cross Country"
NOT realizing that I should have both Dual and PIC for Cross Countries.
I'm on my 4th page of logbook.
At this point, should I make corrections and fill another blank,
so that I have both Dual and Pic for Cross countries?
Or
Maybe just divide a blank diagonally into 2 blanks?


Since I want to fly for my career (airline),
I'd like to choose my free slots carefully and utilize them right.


I would be very appreciated to hear comments from people who fly/flew for their career.


If you ever had thoughts of,
"hmm, I wish I had a slot for that in my logbook"
or
"This category is a must-have and I'm glad my logbook has it printed"
please let me know.


Thank you very much for your time.

[200hr Wonder]

Your way over thinking it. If you want to log both Dual and Solo X-Country go for it. If you already got 4 pages of just X-Country. Just go back make new column and strike out and make a few changes as required. 4 pages is not much. Of course what about SIC X-Country, Do you track both night and day X-Country as PIC, SIC, Dual? What about Sea Plane, what about Instruction time if you become an instructor. etc. etc. etc. The logbook is for your personal reference and to prove currency.

My advice, look at the ATPL requirements if you are going to be a career pilot and make sure you have a clear and easy to understand logbook showing what you are doing. Secondly if you are going to be a career pilot seriously consider an electronic logbook. When it comes time for your ATPLs it will make life so much easier to track and know when you hit the magic numbers and your TC Inspector will like to have one he can read.

[flyingsweetpotato]

Your way over thinking it. If you want to log both Dual and Solo X-Country go for it. If you already got 4 pages of just X-Country. Just go back make new column and strike out and make a few changes as required. 4 pages is not much. Of course what about SIC X-Country, Do you track both night and day X-Country as PIC, SIC, Dual? What about Sea Plane, what about Instruction time if you become an instructor. etc. etc. etc. The logbook is for your personal reference and to prove currency.

My advice, look at the ATPL requirements if you are going to be a career pilot and make sure you have a clear and easy to understand logbook showing what you are doing. Secondly if you are going to be a career pilot seriously consider an electronic logbook. When it comes time for your ATPLs it will make life so much easier to track and know when you hit the magic numbers and your TC Inspector will like to have one he can read.

Hi,
Thanks for your comment.
Which e-logbook do you recommend?
should I get a software
or
make one in a spread sheet?

Do you have the e-logbook for back up or is it your primary one?

If that is your primary one, do you just print it every time you have a full page
and put your signature at the bottom?

[sakism]

If you have any skills at Excel, or the like, make one yourself. First of all it will be free. Secondly, you can customize it however you want, and change it whenever you like. I would recommend that it be made in such a way that you can print it off easily, with page totals for each page printed.

To back it up just put it on a thumb drive occasionally, or email it to yourself periodically to keep it on the gmail/hotmail/etc servers.

[200hr Wonder]

Which e-logbook do you recommend?
should I get a software
or
make one in a spread sheet?

Do you have the e-logbook for back up or is it your primary one?

If that is your primary one, do you just print it every time you have a full page
and put your signature at the bottom?

I use LogTen Pro for the Mac - And I love it best logbook software I have used. Works wonderfully. Just be careful with time zones it can cause a head ache until you understand them. Also iPad, iPhone version. So my logbook is never more than the last flight out of date.

I have used Logbook Pro also a decent product and worked quite well. Not quite as shiny and user friendly as Logten but still a good product. PC based. They now have an iPhone/Android and possibly iPad based tool for it as well. The one thing is if you change from one to other watch out for time zone. Cane cause a pain. Logbook Pro is not time zone aware, LogTen is. This is a moot point if you do not log up and down times.

As for using a spreadsheet. It is not what they where ever designed for and I think you will end up finding serious limitations once you really get into it.

As for printing I only ever bother with printing when required for a job interview or submission for my ATPLs. Note that as of right now according to Transport Canada you must sign each page when you submit it them. The problem with a hard copy of an electronic logbook is that as soon as you print it and go flying again it is out of date.

For backup I keep no less than 4 copies of my logbook at all times: Current working copy, time machine back up on my external hard drive, I email my self a copy every month or so, and one on my iPhone. I also "print" a copy to PDF and export to a tab or comma delimited file to prevent inaccessibility due to changing software or older versions. With the above precautions I can so no reason to ever "loose" your logbook. In fact it would be more secure than a paper one. A paper one can burn up in a house fire. Mine even if I loose every thing I own and end up with nothing more than the clothes on my back will still be in my gmail account.

I do not bother with a paper logbook anymore.

Some people do like to look back on their own hand writing and notes as a sentimental type of thing and that is a valid argument for paper. But I can do so much more with electronic including attaching pictures right to log entries and so forth. As a career pilot I think electronic is really a practical simple and user friendly way to go.

Mac: LogTen Pro
PC: Logbook Pro

IMHO either one is the way to go depending on if you are a Mac or a PC person.