Electronic Logbook, Excell

[CaptainDune]

So basically I have been searching for a cheap, or free, electronic logbook. I would prefer something on excell, I have seen the cheappilot.com and I like the features on it a lot. however, it seems as the website has gone down and the one I got a while ago keeps saying something about macros not working. I'm not great with excell so I don't know what that means or how to fix it. Anyway, I have misplaced that spreadsheet since then, so it's all irrelevant anyway.

 

Does anyone have something they could send me or point me in the right direction?

 

Things I am looking for:

 

1) Obviosly the regular flight time entries, for both helicopter and fixed wing since I am dual rated.

2) Tracking flight time in Make and model would be great.

3) Tracking flight time and recency. (30/90 days, etc)

 

Things I would like:

4) Tracking tail number (just seems fun)

5) Pie graphs and such to track the stuff, just seems nice

 

 

Does anyone have a recommendation or something I can start on? What do you all use?

[avbug]

I've seen spreadsheet-based logs, but never found them to be much good. Logbook pro is the best one on the market, but like anything, you get what you pay for.

[CaptainDune]

What is the deal with logbook pro? It seems like it is subscription based, and it is awfully pricey.

 

How easy is it to log each flight? I would have to backdate roughly 600 flights.

 

Finally, where is the information stored or backed up?

[avbug]

Logbook pro is based on your computer. They have a cloud based subscription service, but I don't use that.

 

I should preface by saying that I use paper logbooks. I originally started out with the idea of transferring everything to a computer logbook, and keeping both. The electronic makes keeping track of currency, or tallying specific values (by aircraft, or by aircraft in specific categories) easy. However, that didn't happen. After entering a couple of logbooks one tedious entry at a time, and after looking at how much more there was to go, I lost most enthusiasm for the process.

 

Logbook pro is everything you might want in a paper log, with all kinds of possibilities for customization. It's handy. It's got iphone applications, and makes logging flights when in the field easy. I've used in the past when I'm away for a month or two at a time (or six or ten, as the case may be)...but I use it to fill out my paper logs when I go home.

 

Once you buy the program, its yours. You don't need to subscribe, unless you're using a cloud service. I believe they have a trial period so you can evaluate it, with limited entries. The basic logbook software is about seventy bucks.

[CaptainDune]

Yea, don't get me wrong, nothing replaces the paperbacks. I am just looking to start it early for the same reasons you listed.

 

I have downloaded it and got the 50 free entries put in. I do like the program, I am just wondering if I lose my computer, do I lose all this work too unless I pay for the cloud backup?

 

Thanks for the info, it looks like I'll be going with this one. I haven't been able to find an option to sort by tail number though.

[AngelFire_91]

I use paper and I also have Logbook pro... I find that the customizable stuff and reports you can generate on Logbook Pro are worth the cost specially if you have to fill out 135 paperwork and stuff. I had to enter about 900 flights into it and it took me about 4 days of an hour or 2 each day.

[bluethunder]

I made my own spreadsheet. It doesn't do all the things on your wish list. It took me no time at all, and of course after using it briefly, some revisions were made. I uploaded it to my iPad, using the "numbers" program. It is automatically backed up to iCloud, and any revision made to the log via my iPhone or iPad is automatically backed up to iCloud the to the other device automatically. I've never used the other programs (mentioned earlier), but if you are an Apple user, you already have a back up for free.

[Rogue]

Ditto what has been said. Since I am dual-rated the Excel ones just didn't meet my needs and well... I could have customized to meet my needs but Excel and I just don't get along.

 

I bought Logbook Pro right after filling out my IACRA form for Private Heli after having earned my Private starch wing - that alone was well well well worth it to me.

 

I actually had my hard drive crash and had to re-enter all of my logbook entries because I was busier than a one legged man in an... and I just didn't take the two seconds to back it up. I now back it up regularly and then email the backup file to myself. Yahoo mail is my "Cloud" service

[280fxColorado]

Also check out MyFlightBook.com.

 

It's free. It syncs to 'the cloud.' It has iOS & Android aps and an HTML interface. Displays totals and specific queries easily. Shows a breakdown of currency across categories, types, etc. Shows a list of aircraft flown and can track maintenance intervals. Other fun features, like a list of airports visited, # of times, overlay routes on google earth. You can import data from and save backups to xls, csv, etc. Very handy. And its free...

Edited March 15, 2013 by 280fxColorado

[Five0]

I use LogTen Pro. Have it on my computer and my Iphone. You enter your time on either one and sync it to the other. That way it's backed up in two places. It's like $69 for the computer and another $29 for the Iphone app. But well worth it. About once per month I transfer the times to my paper logbook just in case.

 

Five0

[Spike]

I simply created an Excel spreadsheet that mimics my paper logbook with a few additional columns for helicopter specific op’s and types of machines. This way, it’s easy to crosscheck the math and reaffirm both methods.....

[CaptainDune]

Thanks for all the input guys. I think Logbook Pro might just be worth dropping the cash. As much as I wanted to be cheap, I guess if I'm gonna do this work to make the entries, I might as well dole out the cash for a good program.

[Nomad110]

Log Ten Pro is amazing. I would never go back to paper. I sat down one day and entered all my past flights in it. You will love the reports. You will find things about your flights and trips that you never knew. It really open up your logbook.

[electron_si]

I'm a military pilot so it's all just one airframe for me but i have it broken down by date t/n copilot type of mission, route of flight and then the flight time is divided by D/N/NVG + Hood/Weather and then a total column and then i made a couple totals at the bottom for NVG time and stuff like that. Took me about 30 mins to do.

 

Then i printed off a copy of the page and I use it as my running paper logbook to write down flights the day I fly then once a week I put them in excel and save everything.

 

I recently graduated flight school so all my training hours were just lumped together at the begining by hours and type of airframe, but now I seperate each flight into an entry.

 

I know that you would have to start from scratch but I think its worth doing, then you never have to worry about "losing" your logbook. I'm sure a lot of people will disagree, but since I just started flying last year it was really easy to start all electronically.

[Superman]

I went with Logbook Pro a few years ago. Had 6 logbooks and 12 plus years of flights to enter. I had the girlfriend enter all the data. Took her a few weeks but was well worth it. Very easy to keep updated, I backup onto a thumb drive once a month or so, haven't lost anything so far. It does come at a price, but it is well worth it in my opinion. Something else to consider backing up is your endorsements, currency, sign-offs etc. I scanned and store them on a thumb drive as well.

[UH60L-IP]

Check out logshare.com. It is subscription based but you also get a subscription to weathermeister.com with it. I have been using it for several years and it works great. You can break down your information in many different ways, create custom columns, etc.

[Nomad110]

The share reports feature in LogTen Pro is really neat also. It look very professional and always spurs a compliment from my insurance company when they ask for an updated pilot experience report. You can even customize the report to have your own letter head...I know I know...nerdy.

[JCM5]

I made my own as well. If you have any basic xcel knowledge it's not that hard. You can log pretty much anything you want and if you've organized things properly, it's very easy to use filters as a way to add up different logs. I'd be willing to send you a blank template of my own that could act as a starting point.

[Lindsey]

You can even customize the report to have your own letter head...I know I know...nerdy.

 

You just sold me.

 

/another nerd

[avbug]

Your logbook isn't lost if you lose your computer, if you regularly back up your files. Logbook Pro prompts you frequently, as well as any time there's a software update. You also have the cloud option. I don't use the cloud as I don't do off-site storage.

[Nomad110]

The backup that sits on your iPhone and/or iPad are full blown backups. So if you did loose your computer or anyone of your devices you are still safe. You only need one to recover from. You can also say log one flight on the iPad and another on the iPhone in the same day. Then, say your forget them the next day and log a couple on your Mac. When you sync them all it just combines everything on all devices. It just works as you would expect.

[Rogue]

Logbook Pro has a customizable Cover Page for your reports

[Goldy]

Ok, so couple thoughts here. The original OP was asking for a sample be sent to him. I downloaded a free one off the web posted by a guy in England I believe years ago. I found the link 7 years ago here on VR, so that post is probably still out there. I like having my own excel file that I control, I send it to myself once a month on Google Gmail, that way I can access it anytime, anywhere without worrying about back ups.

 

I don't like anything on the web or cloud that is "free". That means they can delete everything and disappear without warning, just ask anyone that used AOL for their "Free" websites years ago.

 

I also keep the paper log, but I have found that I first update the excel sheet after a day of flying, then sometime later make the entries into the paper logbook.

 

One last thought, there are questions asked on your FAA application for certification that you may not have readily available. Look up that form and build some columns that match, and everytime you apply for a new cert, all the numbers will be broken down as needed. Strange that paper logbooks still don't have some of these columns as required!

 

Kinda like hot dogs and hot dog buns......when will they ever match!

[kkeller]

I have a spreedsheet I built for google docs (now google drive). I record my flights in my paper logbook then update my online spreadsheet later. The nice thing is I can access my google drive from anywhere I have internet access, and because it is on the cloud, I don't have to worry about backing it up.

 

That said, I would still make additional backups of your online logbook.

 

If anyone wants a copy, I'd be glad to email it to you. Send me a PM with your email.

[Nomad110]

Log Ten Pro is the only legal way to have a CFI sign off a training flight. Can't have a CFI sign your excel file. I've checked this over with an examiner. They accept it because once its signed the flight details are locked. They sign right in your iPhone or iPad screen. Very slick.