Logbooks

[GAcfi]

What type of senior or master log do you find the best? Do you recommend your students start with this type of log? Some say it is better to have your training in one log and then start a "professional log" at a later date. I find it sad to see your first 300-400 hours fill up one of those smaller logs and then all of your training memories you have thumbed through are placed on a shelf when you begin with a totally empty log book. Any thoughts? One could ask the student what type of ambition they have to determine their goals and what logbook may be needed, but their goals may change several years later. this is probably not that big a deal but i wanted everyones opinion. There was a nice article about it in Private Pilot recently that addressed this question. Thanks.

 

[avbug]

Unless you're flying a great many hours, or you're logging every leg separately, those big logs can take years to fill. The Jepp professional log is big enough, but will take al long while. I used the Sporty's one as a previous log to my current book, but that one took ten years to fill, and was nearly falling apart when it got retired.

Smaller logs hold up better, are easier to fit on a bookshelf or where ever someone decides to keep the logbook, and also help to make a student or new pilot feel as though they're accomplishing more. Struggling along over ten years trying to fill up one logbook might be a little disheartening to your students.

I'd encourage a smaller log.

I did like the Sporty's logbook in that it had all kinds of columns for specialty tracking, and at the time I used most of them. For those using computer logs right now, that's probably a non-issue, as they can track it all and then some...but with a paper log, you're limited as to the space you have.

 

[Whirlwind]

I got all my professional career track students to buy a Jepp Pro logbook. My first CFI did that for me and I consider it a good thing.

For the casual flier, any logbook is fine, but I really think that having all flights from day one in a professional logbook looks nice.

 

[midlifeflyer]

Unless you're flying a great many hours, or you're logging every leg separately, those big logs can take years to fill. The Jepp professional log is big enough, but will take al long while. I used the Sporty's one as a previous log to my current book, but that one took ten years to fill, and was nearly falling apart when it got retired.

Smaller logs hold up better, are easier to fit on a bookshelf or where ever someone decides to keep the logbook, and also help to make a student or new pilot feel as though they're accomplishing more. Struggling along over ten years trying to fill up one logbook might be a little disheartening to your students.

Not only that, but it sure feels like an accomplishment when you complete pages and books quickly when you're still pretty low time.!