Airplane/Helicopter logbook

[crashed_05]

I'm an airplane private pilot starting my helicopter training this fall. Would it be a good idea to log my helo training in a separate logbook from my fixed wing stuff to keep track of things easier? An instructor told me I can just continue logging where I left off in the old logbook.

[1HeliCFI]

I would probably start a new book for the heli unless you already have a large professional logbook with a lot of columns. I will use a seperate logbook when I start my fixed wing training.

[permison]

That is what I do. It helps the viewer (not always you) get to what they specifically need. Unless you have another way of making it easy for the viewer of your log book to break out the difference (I am not aware of any logbooks which include space for helicopter, though many provide a misc section) I found it best to do it as two separate books.

[rick1128]

I kept a small logbook to keep my helicopter time separate during training, just to make it easier on the examiner and me to see what I had and what I needed. But I also kept my time in my big logbook. Since it was a Master Pilot Logbook, it has columns that can be self titled.

[wopilot]

I kept a small logbook to keep my helicopter time separate during training, just to make it easier on the examiner and me to see what I had and what I needed. But I also kept my time in my big logbook. Since it was a Master Pilot Logbook, it has columns that can be self titled.

 

Likewise, except I did the opposite, my FW hours were in a small book for my add on ratings, but ultimately they all ended up in my master.

[crashed_05]

Thanks for the input...I was leaning toward keeping them separate.

[EC120AV8R]

I use a Jeppesen Professional Pilot logbook. It does have pre-printed columns for both Rotorcraft and fixed wing. I use the same book to log both. It also has columns for Instructor time, SIC time etc. I also like the fact that it has several blank columns I can use for other time I need to track such as NVG.

[glennahall]

I use a Jeppesen Professional Pilot logbook. It does have pre-printed columns for both Rotorcraft and fixed wing. I use the same book to log both. It also has columns for Instructor time, SIC time etc. I also like the fact that it has several blank columns I can use for other time I need to track such as NVG.

 

I'm doing pretty much the same thing. In fact, I think I have exactly the same Jeppesen logbook... <checking... checking...> Nope. My bad. I have an ASA International Pilot Master Log. It too has columns for tons of stuff.

 

I plan to break out several key things in it (like NVGs).

 

In addition to this, I am planning to build an electronic logbook. I'll probably use Excel - I like it, am good with it and it's a pretty ubiquitous application. I've swipped some other guy's Excel logbook to use as a base from which to build what I want.

 

The benefits to using an electronic logbook like this (either home brew or commercial) are the abilities they have to help you see all your currencies (or lack of them) and the summaries of your various flavors of flight time. I intend to have summaries of everything that I may ever need to show a boss or prospective employer. Plus, as long as I track enough detail (not too hard to do) I can add other summaries as needed.

 

The thing to remember about electronic logbooks, though, is that it is only a backup and efficiency tool that supports your REAL hardcopy logbook.

 

Glenn

[Gomer Pylot]

I quit keeping a paper logbook years ago. An electronic logbook is perfectly legal according to the FAA. For them, it doesn't even have to be a book, any written or electronic record will do. Certain logbook styles have become traditional, but none are required. Some employers might want to see a particular form of logbook, but I've personally never had a prospective employer ask to see my logbook. Electronic logbooks are very common now, and have tons of advantages, especially in showing a particular type of time, whether category, conditions, or whatever. Student pilots do need a paper logbook of some sort, for recording endorsements, but beyond that anything goes.

[Jeff]

Just use one logbook. While some helicopter employers (and pilots for that matter) think airplane time doesn't count for anything, it really does make a difference.

[BOATFIXERGUY]

I just use a simple Excel logbook. It works for me. I keep a copy on a flash drive. Not perfect with all of the gadgets of the retail versions, but it works.

[IFLY]

I prefer to keep seperate paper log books for helicopter, airplane and glider then use an electronic logbook for reporting. I used Excel at first but I wanted something a little better with nice reports. Now I use Safelogweb to enter all my flights from any internet connected computer then add them to the paper logs when I get home.

 

Jerry

 

Safelog installs on your computer and can have 5 or 6 backups on their server plus you can enter online then sync with your computer next time you run it. You can run reports from any internet connected computer so if you have an interview and need more information you can get it quickly.

Edited September 1, 2009 by IFLYEVERYTHING

[rotorrodent]

I'm an airplane private pilot starting my helicopter training this fall. Would it be a good idea to log my helo training in a separate logbook from my fixed wing stuff to keep track of things easier? An instructor told me I can just continue logging where I left off in the old logbook.

 

I keep my rotor time in a separate logbook. Makes things much easier when you start counting time in rotor vs. FW.

 

Cheers

 

Rotorrodent

[RkyMtnHI]

I log all my time in one book.. but also transfer it to a spread sheet for safe keeping and adding up the time in different areas, then i make copies of the spread sheet and keep them in different places.. one in a safe. I know people that have had their log books stolen and one that had his eaten by a dog. I saw one guy spend almost a week recreating his time for a job interview. My spread sheet was put together by one of my instructors and is probably too detailed, but it's pretty cool to know everything about your time. Don't expect it's necessary for interviews as most i've talked with about the subject were never asked for their log book. It is very handy tho to hand them a print-out that they can keep and look over later.

 

A pilot that flies with us at Heli-Ops has developed and is selling a helicopter specific log book that i wish i would have had from the beginning as it has columns that coincide with the IACRA database and makes things so much simpler. You can check out his website here:

 

http://helicopterlogbook.com/

 

and there are a couple of photos below. Almost all of our team have switched to this logbook.. it's pretty cool!

 

aloha,

 

dp

[Gary DeWitt]

I use one book for both. But I discovered long ago that hard-copy logbooks are a pain when it comes to filling in an 8710 (IACRA), tracking time in type, retractable time, etc. So I have long kept an Excel copy of my logbook, too. Even back when I only flew one category of aircraft.

 

My Excel book has an IACRA section that calculates all the hours and landings for an 8710 by aircraft category. It also does all kinds of other stuff, like hours in the past year for insurance, retractable time for insurance, time in type for insurance, hours per year just for interest, day/night landings by category/class, etc.

 

I consider the paper logbook to be my official one, mostly because of endorsements. But I use the Excel version if I actually want real information about my flying.

[Goldy]

I log all my time in one book.. but also transfer it to a spread sheet for safe keeping and adding up the time in different areas, then i make copies of the spread sheet and keep them in different places.. one in a safe.

 

 

BINGO- Me too. Log everything in one book, its easier. Keep a seperate excel log book with all the column detail you want ( helo, F/W, glider, turbine, mountain flying, landings over 5K DA, sim,etc.)

 

I print it out each month and keep a seperate written record. You can put a lot more stuff on one excel page than a log book page.

 

Also, dont bother creating an excel sheet. Many have done it before you, and there are many free spreadsheets out there already you can download.

 

Goldy

[nikon858]

personally I use logbook pro, best part is there's a program for my pda that then syncs to my computer...so I don't have to write something down, then type it in....won't really work for training as your instructor has to sign your logbook, but after training you should take a look at it.

[crashed_05]

Wow..thanks for sharing everyone. I got a lot more feedback than I had expected. I think what I'll do is keep them in separate paper logs then compile everything in one excell program.

[glennahall]

An electronic logbook is perfectly legal according to the FAA. For them, it doesn't even have to be a book, any written or electronic record will do.

 

I stand corrected.

 

I just read a couple weeks ago that it had to be hardcopy, in ink, etc.... THAT'S what I get for not checking the dates on the references I'm reading.

[Guest pokey]

I keep a copy on a flash drive.

 

 

I'm from the old skool, i still keep the old small handwritten logbooks. It's fun to read back over the years & see how i worded a flight, the changes in my penmanship, the stupid little remarks i put in, the shade of the ink, the lit'l pictures that i drew , the swoop of the pen, my endorsements/instructors comments,.,... ---(it kinda has its own story)

 

Whats a flash drive? ( i just learned about USB keys last year-so go easy on me)

 

 

I remember one instructor i had in A&P school loong ago talking about maintenance logbook entries: "The FAA don't specify at all where you log your entry, you can write it on the bathroom wall & as long as its part of the aircraft logs?--ya done yer job" Good ole Pat

[BOATFIXERGUY]

I remember one instructor i had in A&P school loong ago talking about maintenance logbook entries: "The FAA don't specify at all where you log your entry, you can write it on the bathroom wall & as long as its part of the aircraft logs?--ya done yer job" Good ole Pat

 

Thats funny! We once had an A/P do an emergency repair at Sturgis and do the return to service write-up on a napkin...all we had available....

[Pohi]

I keep two logbooks, for two basic reasons.

 

First, my helicopter logbook only had about a dozen pages left in it when I started and I had another empty logbook hanging around

 

Second, I would not want to get embarrassed by having fixed wing time should the wrong person see my logbook :-)

 

My wife has the huge jep logbook, and logs both times in that one.

 

I keep the electronic logbooks updated every month or so, and then keep a copy of the file at home, on a usb drive, and email it to myself. I am a little paranoid now because my computer crashed once and I had to enter everything again.

 

So, imo, one book or two books really does not matter that much, its just a personal preference. When it comes to the 8710, an electronic logbook can save hours of work especially with mixed time and lots of hours.

 

I do not personally use it, but there is a free logbook called logshare that a lot of my students use. The nice thing about that one is that the data can be exported to excel, logbook pro, etc etc.

[ScottL]

Whats a flash drive? ( i just learned about USB keys last year-so go easy on me)

Same thing different name

[crashed_05]

A pilot that flies with us at Heli-Ops has developed and is selling a helicopter specific log book that i wish i would have had from the beginning as it has columns that coincide with the IACRA database and makes things so much simpler. You can check out his website here:

 

http://helicopterlogbook.com/

 

and there are a couple of photos below. Almost all of our team have switched to this logbook.. it's pretty cool!

 

aloha,

 

dp

 

I just ordered this logbook. It's a bit more expensive than your standard logbook, but I think it'll be worth it in the long run.