Logbooks.. how important are they?

[SierraPilot]

Ok so heres the scenerio... you have 2 two logbooks, with all those neat little signatures in them from your CFI who signed each lesson you did, etc..

So you go for your checkride and the DE wants to see your logbook but you prefer the electronic version as its cleaner but doesnt have all those cool signatures in them..

A. does it really matter if he see's the original or not? can he refuse to give you a checkride if you cant produce the original or unwilling to?

B. Do airlines/regionals care when inspecting your logbook for a job? Or for that fact Part 135 operations?

C. If A & B are yes, then what happens if you lose your original and only have a electronic version of your logbook minus the signatures of your instructor which he is required to sign per the FARs.

Ryan

 

[350DRIVER]

Good question (s).

Most of the older captains at my company actually don't even put the numbers into the logbook anymore. They have plenty of time, won't be interviewing again, will retire from here, etc, etc, .. They pretty much just keep the 135 check ride forms & other documents to show that they are "current"... If I were you I surely would have the "original" hard copy of your logbook regardless of whether or not you have an electronic one. I know when I was interviewed a little over two years ago they wanted to see the original logbook.. Most flight departments regardless of whether they are 121 or 135 are going to want to see them to look them over... Will the electronic logs work ? Probably but I would never put this to the test and show up for an interview without my original books with the signatures in them.

I have always thought that other than a "quick" way of keeping track of your times while out on the road using your laptop that the whole electronic logbook thing was a waste of money ( just my opinion)- I do not have one and probably never will since I don't see the purpose other than using it as a "backup" in case you would loose your logbook at some point down the line. I make photo copies of my pages, copies of my 8710 times, 135 check ride forms, etc, etc, ... So I ask myself what really is the purpose of haing "another" logbook.. I find it somewhat comical that many of my friends have the electronic logbook (which is fine) but they also use their regular logbook so instead of making one or two entries per trip they have to log double for both.!! I guess I just never bought into this whole idea on doing something "twice" when one regular logbook would get the job done... Most of the people that I know that use the electronic logs use the regular hard copy log for interview purposes anyways.!!!!!

Would it work for a checkride.?? I would assume as long as you have all required endorsements, signatures, and you can prove that you meet the required training, times, etc, for the rating or lic. I just find it much easier to just use a "regular" hard copy book versus going through the hassle of the electronic logs and having to print many pages and keeping them "n e a t " and not getting them messed up....


I guess alot depends on personal preference.


3 5 0

 

[Foobar]

If you are instructing or applying for jobs an electronic logbook is invaluable in computing times for potential employers and insurance companies. Sometimes they want total day, night and IFR times for 30, 60, 90 days as well as the last year and total times. Then they want that by each make and model of aircraft. It’s a REAL hassle unless you have an electronic logbook that does it on its own.

I'd think employers would want to see the original logbooks so I'd say bring them if you have them.

For checkrides... On my commercial multi the examiner wanted to go back and verify the cross country flight required for my initial commercial. I had my logbooks, I'm not sure what would have happened if I didn't have them.

 

[bobbysamd]

Logbooks

Logbooks are extremely important. Not only are they an official record of your flight experience, they are a journal of your career. They are a reflection of you, and many different people potentially can look at your logbooks. So it is important to maintain them neatly and accurately (read that to mean anal).

Regionals do care about seeing your logbooks. Interviewers at two of my five regional interview experiences asked to see my logbooks.

It probably does matter to the examiner if you present a traditional logbook. The examiner will verify that you have the proper signoffs and that the signoffs are in proper form. They do so primarily to protect themselves. I've heard of examiners who will stop a practical because of incomplete or incorrect signoffs. They also might review them to verify your times. They'll do these things, even though you've submitted a properly-prepared 8710 with a signed flight test recommendation.

Of course, you do not ever want to lose your logbooks. People do, and there are ways to reconstruct them, e.g. writing for your FAA file so you can pick off the times off your 8710s. That is something that I, for one, would never want to go through.

I stopped flying before electronic logbooks came in vogue. I would still maintain a traditional logbook, but I can see great utility for electronic logbooks. I would bet that you can set up filters to spit out your flight time in the various ways the airlines want to see them.

Hope that helps a little more.

 

[LittleFokker]

I can only talk about my experience,

I was hired with a major in 1999 and showing them an electronic logbook was not a problem.

I got furloughed on Jan 2002 after that I got some job offers,
1 for PIC on 135, PIC for a 121 small commuter operator, SIC on a large 121 commuter, in the pool for a large transport 121 carrier and my present employer (SIC on a 121 Jet operator).

The only thing I got from them after looking at my logbook was, that I looks very nice.

my 2 cents,

LF