Electronic Logbooks- What do you use?

[Counselair]

Hey Guys,

I just got the Treo 700w, windows based, and am ditching the paper logbook. I would like to use an electronic version that I can use on my laptop computer and sync with my Treo. I realize Logbook Pro advertises on this site but would like other opinions on different programs.

I am looking for the one that is the best all around Part 121 system, not some glorified spreadsheet, I'm not implying Logbook Pro is as I've never even seen their product. Just saying I'm willing to contemplate other products.


Thanks,

Counselair

 

[canyonblue737]

I think most everyone around here will agree that "Logbook Pro" is the best basis for a electronic logbook around. For your Treo 700w you will need to get "Airline Pilot's Daily Aviation Logbook " which is also sold on the Logbook Pro site. It is designed to replace the little red/black book airline pilots carry and make entering times easy for 121 pilots. It will input your Jetblue schedules (via FLICA or BidBackage) for you automatically and have hotel info, track your legalities and Jetblue pay rigs etc. Really impressive stuff which then downloads to your PC and Logbook Pro so you don't have to reenter anything. You will want both, both have demos to try before you buy, and buying both at the same time saves you money.

Logbook Pro: http://www.logbookpro.com/Learn.aspx?ProductID=logbook-pro
Airline Logbook: http://www.logbookpro.com/Learn.aspx?ProductID=airline-pilots-daily-aviation-logbook&Section=Overview

 

[Counselair]

Great review! Thanks Canyonblue, exactly the kind of review I'm looking for.

Counselair

 

[Counselair]

buying both at the same time saves you money.

Logbook Pro: http://www.logbookpro.com/Learn.aspx?ProductID=logbook-pro
Airline Logbook: http://www.logbookpro.com/Learn.aspx?ProductID=airline-pilots-daily-aviation-logbook&Section=Overview

Thanks again CB. In case other people may be interested I contacted them and I don't believe buying them together nets you a better price anymore. Here was the response I got:

"We do not have discounts for purchasing various products on our store; the cost would be 99.95 for Logbook Pro Professional and 59.95 for APDL"

I'm still gonna get it though.

Counselair

 

[canyonblue737]

Thanks again CB. In case other people may be interested I contacted them and I don't believe buying them together nets you a better price anymore. Here was the response I got:

"We do not have discounts for purchasing various products on our store; the cost would be 99.95 for Logbook Pro Professional and 59.95 for APDL"

I'm still gonna get it though.

Counselair

The Logbook Pro software is the key to #1 being able to view your data in whatever format you want, including endless graphs, pie charts etc. that breaks down your whole flying history (ie. how many hours of PIC turbine, instrument time, in the A320 did I have in the month of Dec 05...) and #2 print your logbook in a stunning Jepps pro format that an airline interviewer, or just you would love.

The Airline Logbook software is the key to being able to enter your data on the road in a custom form designed for Part 121 pilots specific to your airline. That data then works seemlessly with Logbook Pro to prevent having to reenter data on your PC.

PS: Counselair I would download the trial for APDL to try on your 700w since that phone is so new and have a unique resoultion, 240x240 instead of the more typical PocketPC resoultion of 240x320. I don't know if the software will have an issue with that and needs to be updated. Try and find out first although I am sure they will be updating an incompatibilities quickly as they always have in the past. The program is very popular for the Treo 650 (Palm version) and I see guys here at SWA using it all the time on the 650.

 

[midlifeflyer]

Hey Guys,

I just got the Treo 700w, windows based, and am ditching the paper logbook.

Don't ditch it too soon. The FAA has not spoken on what "in a manner acceptable to the Administrator" is with respect to electronic logs.

 

[Tarzan]

How so? There is no rule about carrying a logbook in the cockpit with me. I didn't know the FAA could regulate how you kept your logs for currency whether it be electronic or paper. If they want paper, I'll print them off a spread sheet.

 

[canyonblue737]

Don't ditch it too soon. The FAA has not spoken on what "in a manner acceptable to the Administrator" is with respect to electronic logs.

False. You print the log and sign the pages and it meets every stipulation of the FAA.

 

[Counselair]

Counselair I would download the trial for APDL to try on your 700w since that phone is so new and have a unique resoultion, 240x240 instead of the more typical PocketPC resoultion of 240x320. I don't know if the software will have an issue with that and needs to be updated. Try and find out first although I am sure they will be updating an incompatibilities quickly as they always have in the past. The program is very popular for the Treo 650 (Palm version) and I see guys here at SWA using it all the time on the 650.

Again, great advice. I'll give it a shot. As far as logbooks for interviews go I'm sure I'm at the last place I'll finish out my career so I don't have to worry about that.

Thanks Again,

Counselair

 

[midlifeflyer]

False. You print the log and sign the pages and it meets every stipulation of the FAA.

If you say so. Can you give me the reference to the FAA document that says so? I've been looking for it ever since I asked the Legal Counsel's office about it 5 years ago and they said they were working on guidelines.

 

[AV8TR70]

I'm new to electronic logs, my questions is how do you get sign offs, training logged time signed by CFI, etc. Do you still need to keep a paper log? Before I buy one I would like to know some information on this. Thanks.

 

[wmuflyguy]

I still use my paper logbook and show that at interviews. Logbook Pro is good. Makes application's very simple, and when inputting the numbers from the paper log I found errors that needed to be corrected.

I don't print it out for the interview though, The binders and paper are a little more than I can afford at the moment.

 

[midlifeflyer]

I'm new to electronic logs, my questions is how do you get sign offs, training logged time signed by CFI, etc. Do you still need to keep a paper log? Before I buy one I would like to know some information on this. Thanks.

I think that electronic verification of endorsements is one of the issue. Who "signs" the electronic log and how? Will paper backup be necessary?

The FAA has looked at some electronic logs in the maintenance area, but AFAIK, so far it has insisted on double record keeping with paper backups.

 

[hyflyt560]

I think that electronic verification of endorsements is one of the issue. Who "signs" the electronic log and how? Will paper backup be necessary?

The FAA has looked at some electronic logs in the maintenance area, but AFAIK, so far it has insisted on double record keeping with paper backups.

Couldn't an instructor/examiner just sign a sheet that you could keep in a file? Back before I saw the light and stopped flying helicopters, I had to accomplish specific training to CFI in an R22. The examiner just handed me a signed 3x5 card with the pertinent info that I stapled into the back of my logbook.

Has anyone, after years of flying, attempted to enter all of their flights into Logbook Pro? I started, but gave up after a few hours of work...and I hadn't even entered the first few hundred hours of my flight time.

 

[Dash8301]

I switched back to paper from logbookpro, because the palmpilot I had kept losing contact with the batteries and all info was lost between hotsyncs. Moral of the story, if your going to use an electronic book hotsync after every trip, not just when you upload your line.

 

[midlifeflyer]

Couldn't an instructor/examiner just sign a sheet that you could keep in a file?

Sure you could. But the ultimate goal of electronic record keeping is to have all the records kept electronically.

 

[hyflyt560]

Futuristically (is that a word?), how about this: All airplanes will require GPS. When a pilot, or crew, get into the cockpit, they swipe their personal ID card of some type, and then all information is uploaded and tracked, i.e. aircraft type, day/night, landings, destinations, flight time, etc. Taken further, the airlines could track this information, and when a need arises to hire crews, they could just run a filter of all pilots and send out interview invites. Or, the FAA could send you a nice little notice that you exceeded crew duty limits. Or, worse yet, your spouse could find out that in fact you were NOT on the overnight in Bozeman as you stated as you walked out the door with your roll-a-board.

 

[White Feather]

I was a FlightLevel 2003 user and switched to Logbook Pro. It's awesome. I spent an hour or two a day for about a week putting in all my data from flight no.1. A couple years later, I decided to switch to LB Pro. NC Software generated an import file for me so that I could use Logbook Pro. Now I have every flight in there, covering 5000+ hours. It's a pretty robust software package. Also, the latest version allows you to import a .jpg of your handwritten signature, and will put that at the bottom of the Jepp style printouts, so you don't have to go back and physically sign each page. Pretty neat. You can also export your logbook (in a Jepp format) to a .pdf file. Take that on a floppy to Kinko's and have it printed and bound - for about $5.00.

 

[JimNtexas]

I use logshare.com . It is free and certainly adequate for private owners. I suggest users backup to excel every few flights since the site sometimes goes down, and I guess the owner could just pull the plug on it someday.

 

[lrn2fly]

I was a FlightLevel 2003 user and switched to Logbook Pro. It's awesome. I spent an hour or two a day for about a week putting in all my data from flight no.1. A couple years later, I decided to switch to LB Pro. NC Software generated an import file for me so that I could use Logbook Pro. Now I have every flight in there, covering 5000+ hours. It's a pretty robust software package. Also, the latest version allows you to import a .jpg of your handwritten signature, and will put that at the bottom of the Jepp style printouts, so you don't have to go back and physically sign each page. Pretty neat. You can also export your logbook (in a Jepp format) to a .pdf file. Take that on a floppy to Kinko's and have it printed and bound - for about $5.00.

Nice write-up. I think I am going to do the same jump you have. What was your reason for you to abandon FL2003? I for one am getting tired of paying 50 bucks for every update.

 

[cobraman]

Here is a FREE excel doc that works wonders, If you think I am kidding, run it for a few years then look at page two! I tried logbook pro, what a mistake. I installed it and had a bitch of a time getting it to go away. I found it kinda too over the top for what I needed. My "logbook" works like a dream. I copy it once a month to a disc and write it in my paper version. Check it out.
Scroll down the page and look for "The Logbook". Give it whirl, you'll thank me the next time you need an 8710.

http://www.jagboy69.com/downloads.htm