Best logbook for CFI?

[carlos]

I'm a soon-to-be CFI and I was thinking that would be a good time to start a new logbook, as I already have run out of columns in the Sporty's logbook that I started with as a student. I have columns for AMEL and Tailwheel in it but there is no room for Dual given, among others I may want to add.

So, which paper logbook do people recommend for a CFI? (I'm also keeping my time in Logbook Pro, but I still want a paper original). Jeppesen, ASA, Sporty's, others? Why do you prefer one over another?

Looking online at various pilot stores, I cannot determine what columns are in each, so that makes it a difficult to make a decision.

Thanks for any opinions and info.

 

[acabello]

I have the big brown logbook with greenpages, I think it is Jeppesen I like it because I can continue to use it when I start flying for an airline.

 

[bobbysamd]

Logbooks

All you need is a logbook with an extra column for Dual Given. It doesn't have to be one of those fancy affairs that will set you back an arm and leg at Sporty's. I've heard of high-time pilots who've only used the little student-variety logbooks. They just keep buying them and filling them up. It's more important to maintain neat and accurate logbooks. You will not impress any interviewers with the make or size of your logbook.

Having said that, my last two logbooks were the Jeppesen variety with the green pages and brown covers. The nice thing about them is they have preprinted squares for flight reviews, advanced ratings, and miscellaneous items and signoffs. Also, plenty of blank-lined pages in the back which you can use to record your student signoffs and pass/fail results. If you care to take the time to work them up, the Jepp book has summaries for experience in aircraft type and monthly and yearly totals.

Hope that helps.

 

[carlos]

Thanks Bobbysamd. I don't really like the big fancy logbooks for several reasons. First they are big, they'll take forever to fill up and you risk losing a lot of history if you misplace or destroy them somehow, and they seem just a bit pretentious to me. I like the idea of a small logbook that fills up quickly.

The trouble with the small Sportys that I have is that I've already used all the columns. I'm using Date, A/C Make & Model, A/C Ident, Route, Duration of Flight, ASEL, AMEL, Actual Instrument, Simulated Instrument, Approaches, Simulator, Day Landings, Night Landings, Ground Trng Recvd, Flight Trng Recvd, X-C, Night, Solo, PIC, and Remarks. I've also written in a column for Tailwheel, so I'm out of room for Dual Given or anything else that comes along.

I'd like to have one that has all the above plus Dual Given and a couple of blank columns. Maybe I'll just have to go to several pilot stores or FBOs and check out the Jeppesen and ASA logbooks firsthand.

 

[DAS at 10/250]

ASA SP-6 has nine empty columns.

Like it matters though. You'll get to the point where you log a whole week in one row.

 

[bobbysamd]

Mini Jepp books

I'd like to have one that has all the above plus Dual Given and a couple of blank columns. Maybe I'll just have to go to several pilot stores or FBOs and check out the Jeppesen and ASA logbooks firsthand.

I probably should have mentioned that my two Jepp books are indeed the bigger variety. I did fill the pages up quickly, though. My schools kept me busy. Just the same, this is one instance where size doesn't matter.

I haven't had to shop for a logbook for a long time, but I believe that Jepp may make a smaller, student-oriented version of the book I described.