Logging Jepp revisions

[Nolife]

Just wondering how folks log Jepp revisions. The debate is whether you log the date the revision was issued or the date the revision was actually inserted into the manual.

I was taught to log the revision issue date in the box corresponding to the revision number. This way when you look at charts you can tell right away how current the charts are and when to be on the look out for the next revision.

IMO... if you log the date the revision was actually inserted this could lead to confusion as to when the revision was issued and how current the charts are.

Any ideas?

 

[CMI]

Log the revision issued date.

 

[avbug]

what you put there is really meaningless, because it's the revision number in which you're interested. Revision numbers are sequential, and if you keep the page listing the revision issue dates, a quick refernece will tell you all you need to know.

As a matter of course, I put the revision sheets (indexes with the add and destroy information) sequentially at the front of the volume with the revision page so I know exactly what is in there and can trace the recent history of any changes made. After a year or so, I can remove those, but I always keep at least a year of them in the book, unless using Q service (or an EFB...).

As far as logging the date, it really doesn't matter, but I put the date in which I enter the revision, and put my initials next to the revision. Insisting on this has helped me pinpoint problems before, especially when multiple people are updating the jepps. I have been able to track down the crew that messed up the jepps, and in one case relocate nearly a full state that was missing and removed by mistake...and re-educate so that didn't happen again. I think signing the update record is more than just recording the date; it's a record of accountability, signed and dated.

 

[Nolife]

As far as logging the date, it really doesn't matter, but I put the date in which I enter the revision, and put my initials next to the revision.

Here's my take.

Hypothetical example... I check the charts in the plane for a trip. The charts stay in the airplane and multiple pilots revise said charts. Charts show revision 4 dated 20 MAR 07 (the date the revisions were inserted into the binders). Trip date today is 25 MAR 07. So with just this quick check it appears that the charts are up to date. The problem is that potentially these charts could be two revisions behind although it would appear on the surface that the charts are current.

Knowing that Jepp puts out two revisions per month means that in late March you should be on revision 6 however this may get over-looked if you are in a hurry or distracted. Had the revision issue date been logged (revision 4: 25 FEB 07) instead of the inserted date the error would be easier to catch and a flight with outdated charts would be easier to avoid.

IMHO... details are what add up to form the links in the accident chain. Attention to detail and standardization will help keep Murphy's Law at bay and give us a chance to break the accident chain before it's too late.

Anyone know if Jepp provides official recommendations on logging revisions. Seems most people log revisions using the issue date however it would help settle our debate if I could get some official word.

On another note: the binders are ridiculously overstuffed so keeping the revision sheets would only add to the thickness of the binders.

 

[avbug]

I'm afraid I don't understand your logic. You appear to be saying that one method appears more plausable than the other, and is therefore safer. If it sounds better, then it is.

The issue date is often irrelevant, as you will see some charts due on the revision date, and others that are due a week or so later. This is very common.

If you put your revision sheets at the front of the binder in reverse order so the most recent revision sheet is right behind the update log, you can immediately check to see the dates and any relevant data, including verifying that you have the correct NOTAMS.

If your binders are getting too thick, then add an additional binder or two and thin the set out. A good way of doing this is to have a smaller trip book with only the charts you'll be using, plus the relevant enroute charts, and your NOTAMS. You can put your revision pages in there, if you like. You're talking only a few sheets per year...not exactly going to make your binders explode. I used to keep several years on hand because I'd forget to take the old ones out. Again, not a big deal.

 

[Nolife]

If your binders are getting too thick, then add an additional binder or two and thin the set out. You're talking only a few sheets per year...not exactly going to make your binders explode.

You haven't seen the binders. In order to revise the charts near either end you need to remove the whole state. No room in the airplane library for another binder. :bawling:

However keeping the revision sheets would be the best way.

 

[minitour]

You haven't seen the binders. In order to revise the charts near either end you need to remove the whole state. No room in the airplane library for another binder. :bawling:

However keeping the revision sheets would be the best way.

I agre that some of the binders are rediculously stuffed. The Illinois to Kentucky binder comes to mind. The Chicago area seems to have charts revised each revision and you need to remove a good portion of charts to get the new ones in.

Surely there's enough room in the enroute binder to slip the revision sheets? At least between checklists?

What coverage area and subscription are you on? What type are you flying? You may be carrying too many charts if you can't fit another binder (even a 2" binder?) in the plane. Perhaps a move to HP4000 or Q Service is a good idea?

-mini

PS - We (my wife and I) log the date the revision goes in the binders. If charts have an "effective date", we put those up front by the revision log.

 

[DrProc]

You should log the date that the revision comes out. Lets say that a revision comes out on March 5th, and you log it when you put it in on March 10th. On March 20th, you get ramp checked, and the over zealous Fed finds that you flew into an airport on the 8th that had a revision date of the 5th. He could accuse you of using outdated charts. But if you had logged it as the 5th then its not an issue at all.

Believe it or not, I had a friend get caught in this scenario.

 

[avbug]

You should log the date that the revision comes out. Lets say that a revision comes out on March 5th, and you log it when you put it in on March 10th. On March 20th, you get ramp checked, and the over zealous Fed finds that you flew into an airport on the 8th that had a revision date of the 5th. He could accuse you of using outdated charts. But if you had logged it as the 5th then its not an issue at all.

A groundless accusation with nowhere to go. One isn't required to put the charts in the book at all So long as one has access to the charts, one is legal. I've carried several revision packets still in their brown envelopes in the field before when I was extremely busy. The charts do NOT need to be filed to be legal. So long as you use the current charts, you're golden. Period.

One more good reason to keep your revision pages. These show that you really have the revision, whereas a handwritten date on the revision log only shows that you wrote in the date you thought someone wanted to see. Keep your revision pages, which are all the evidence you need.

 

[DrProc]

A groundless accusation with nowhere to go. One isn't required to put the charts in the book at all So long as one has access to the charts, one is legal. I've carried several revision packets still in their brown envelopes in the field before when I was extremely busy. The charts do NOT need to be filed to be legal. So long as you use the current charts, you're golden. Period.

One more good reason to keep your revision pages. These show that you really have the revision, whereas a handwritten date on the revision log only shows that you wrote in the date you thought someone wanted to see. Keep your revision pages, which are all the evidence you need.

Well, the accusation, like you said, did not go anywhere, but it did cause a little stress, which I try to avoid as much as possible. You are exactly right, that you can carry the revisions unfiled and still be legal.