Pilot Logbooks

Experience counts for a lot in aviation. Whether going for a flight instructor position, or airline pilot, flight experience is an important thing to have.

Of course, the experience has to be balanced, and meaningful.

In order to record flight time, pilots use logbooks.

Various styles of logbook exist, from large 'master' logbooks, to pocket size logbooks, and even eletronic versions for desktops, pda's and phones.

Although pilots experience is a matter of pride, the requirements only require that the hours necessary for maintaining the certificate and ratings are logged.

Some differences exist in the format of logbooks between countries.

When learning your instructor will write in your logbook after each lesson, and when renting an aircraft you'll have to show you are current with a bi-annual or certificate of experience (depending on country), in these cases you need to have your logbook with you. However, once you are getting close to a flying job as a commercial pilot, you'll be very interested in the state of your logbook and how neatly it is filled out. It's a very time consuming project to rewrite a logbook into a new book, so taking care now, will save you a lot of time later. Not only that, the new logbook would be missing the endorsements from instructors etc.

One thing that is desired by employees is the use of ink, and not a pencil.

Ultimately the choice of logbook will be to suit your personal taste, but we'll show some examples here.

Master Logbook

Pocket Logbook

Airline Logbook

Links

Airline Logbook