Helicopter Logbooks

[AngelFire_91]

Hello all,

I'm 24 years old and I've been flying fixed wing aircraft since I was 13. I'm transitioning over to helicopters so that I can persue my dream job of flying EMS helicopters and I need a new logbook. After flying single, multi, and floatplanes for a while now I don't have any column left in my current logbook for rotorcraft, so my question is:

 

What logbooks do you guys own? I've looked at ASA's, Sportys, and Jepp. I know that the ASA SP-37 has a rotorcraft helicopter column but I wasn't sure if anyone else had any Idea's or logbooks that were specific to helicopters?

 

Thanks,

Kevin

[Witch]

I just put "Heli" in the empty box and call it good. I mean the one that is under Aircraft Category.

 

Later

[Goldy]

and be sure to put in the model, R22 and R44 has specific hourly flight requirements to stay current or teach..

Edited August 14, 2007 by Goldy

[delorean]

Keep seperate log books.....When you have to fill out 8710s, employment apps, etc you'll have to split your helicopter and airplane flight times up for x/c, night, instrument, PIC, and sometimes by time frame too (how much heli in the last 6 months?) It's a total pain in the butt to try to go back and figure this out.

 

Get a small log book like the burgundy ASA (sp-40?) that has the large remarks sections. Then just print some stickers or white out the airplane columns and make one for each model helicopter you'll be flying (R22, R44, H269, Ttl Turbine, ttl piston.) I have the big Jepp log book with the brown cover....it has a ton of open columns and large remarks sections. Don't get the small black Jepp book or any book with the tiny ~1"x0.5" remarks boxes.

 

Whenever you need to know you total time, just add the two book times together and your done in about 30 seconds, versus HOURS of work going the other way.

 

ALSO, when you start soloing in the helicopter, you'll need to carry your logbook. If you lose it, or someone steals it, you're going to lose track of all that airplane time. Your instructor is req'd to keep your training records for 3 yrs, so it would be no problem recreating your helicopter time.

 

If you do decide to keep them in the same book, use one color ink for airplane stuff, another color for helicopter. Make a seperate column or a note on each page of your current Heli PIC, Heli Night, Heli X/C.....that's important if EMS is your goal. Trust me, you'll regret mixing times. I did and it has caused me grief ever since.

[Gomer Pylot]

I haven't made an entry in a paper logbook in years - since the mid 80s, in fact. Computers are wonderful things, and they work very well for this purpose. I actually do mine on a Palm handheld, which syncs with my PC. Anytime I need any totals of any kind (which is very seldom, except for showing currency) I can have them in a few seconds.

[AngelFire_91]

Thanks for the replys guys. I was planning on keeping the logbooks seperate between Heli and Fixed wing. I know how much of a pain it is to try and seperate out hours of different types and I don't want to repeat the same mistakes on the heli side of things. Thanks,

[helidave]

I haven't made an entry in a paper logbook in years - since the mid 80s, in fact. Computers are wonderful things, and they work very well for this purpose. I actually do mine on a Palm handheld, which syncs with my PC. Anytime I need any totals of any kind (which is very seldom, except for showing currency) I can have them in a few seconds.

 

 

That sounds interesting, do you have a link or the name of the program? I would like to take a look at that.

[Superman]

I recently purchased the Logbook Pro electronic logbook software, there are a few different versions ranging from ~$70.00 up to ~$150.00. It will be nice once we have all the information entered......a few thousand entries! (My girlfriend isn't very happy with me!) It's based off of an excel type spreadsheet program, if you are handy with excel you could set up your own. There is also a product called Safe Log on the web, but I can't tell you anything about it. Paper logs, I use the Jeppesen Professional. It has had plenty of columns for both fixed wing and rotor wing entries, but as Delorean mentions, it can be a pain trying to separate the times, but it's possible (Girlfrind/Wife can come in handy for this also!)

 

Clark

[delorean]

Just a general fact that is often overlooked......

 

Logbooks are mearly a template. They are not an FAA required, endorsed, or mandated document that you MUST fill out in its entirety or their form. You don't even need a logbook.

 

The FAA says you only need to log enough time to satisfy the minimums for a certificate/rating, meet currency (day/night landings, instrument, NVG), and your flight review.

 

You only need to log the: date, duration of flight, location, name of safety pilot (if applicable), and the type and condition of the flight: day or night, actual or simulated instrument, any dual, PIC, SIC, or solo time.

 

In what form you log these is up to you......You can use a logbook, an Excel spreadsheet, a stapled stack of bar napkins, whatever!

 

So don't be scared of altering you logbook's form, as long as all the required info is there, it's legal. Everything else in there is for you, future employers, and federal judges. Just remember, when you sign it saying, "you certify everything is true" it damn well better be.

 

Some choose to keep a "minimums book" for the FAA to view if requested; and seperate records for flight instructions and their personal use.

[Goldy]

That sounds interesting, do you have a link or the name of the program? I would like to take a look at that.

 

HeliDave- there are plenty of free ones on the net....based on excel. They are great for keeping everything added up. I can send you a copy of one if you cant find it on the net...just email me.

Goldy

 

BTW- I keep a separate copy of my logbook in a 3 ring binder so I have a copy of the various endorsements...I would never be able to recreate those, even though I have an electronic copy of my logbook as well...the electronic sheets just shows hours, not signatures!

Edited August 15, 2007 by Goldy

[AngelFire_91]

Thanks for the replys, I have Logbook Pro also, but I will never keep only a computer based logbook. I've had too many computers crap out on me to know better. I think I'm just going to buy a plain old logbook and change the titles to fit a helicopter.

[Gomer Pylot]

I use PalmLog, but there are lots of others available. All I really need to track is landings, because I have to be able to show 3 night landings in the past 90 days for currency. Nothing else is really important, because I long ago quit trying to get enough flight time to get a real job. I know others have different needs, but Palmlog will show your total time quickly and easily. It does have the deficiency of not being able to let instructors enter endorsements - for that you need a paper logbook, and I would advise the cheapest you can find, because they're just another way for someone to get more of your money. You can make one yourself if you want, from whatever you want to print up. There are free spreadsheet logbooks available on the web, and you can get one of those, print out several copies, staple or glue them together, and you have all that is required. Or you can buy a 2 pound beauty from Sporty's. It's your money.

[Bayou06]

I use PalmLog, but there are lots of others available. All I really need to track is landings, because I have to be able to show 3 night landings in the past 90 days for currency. Nothing else is really important, because I long ago quit trying to get enough flight time to get a real job. I know others have different needs, but Palmlog will show your total time quickly and easily. It does have the deficiency of not being able to let instructors enter endorsements - for that you need a paper logbook, and I would advise the cheapest you can find, because they're just another way for someone to get more of your money. You can make one yourself if you want, from whatever you want to print up. There are free spreadsheet logbooks available on the web, and you can get one of those, print out several copies, staple or glue them together, and you have all that is required. Or you can buy a 2 pound beauty from Sporty's. It's your money.

 

 

Having been through the hiring process recently, I was a little surprised by the number of different ways the different employers asked for flight time (ie. night PIC time, weather PIC time, night cross country time, ect). I have a Standard Master Logbook, but it was mixed with airplane and helicopter time. But to sort it all out for the applications, I put all the time in a Xcel spreadsheet logbook. I've modified and added to it since and find it very easy to use.

 

If anyone wants a copy, I'd be happy to provide you a copy gratis.

 

Bayou06

[Gomer Pylot]

A spreadsheet or database is just about the only way to get the breakdowns you often need. There are dozens of them floating around on the internet, both in PC and PDA formats.

[Jeff]

I use Safelog by Dauntless Software. That's the best I've found yet. Click here to go to their website.

[Nuke]

Just a general fact that is often overlooked......

 

Logbooks are mearly a template. They are not an FAA required, endorsed, or mandated document that you MUST fill out in its entirety or their form. You don't even need a logbook.

 

The FAA says you only need to log enough time to satisfy the minimums for a certificate/rating, meet currency (day/night landings, instrument, NVG), and your flight review.

 

You only need to log the: date, duration of flight, location, name of safety pilot (if applicable), and the type and condition of the flight: day or night, actual or simulated instrument, any dual, PIC, SIC, or solo time.

 

Some choose to keep a "minimums book" for the FAA to view if requested; and seperate records for flight instructions and their personal use.

On this note, does anyone know where it is written, if it is, that the instructor must sign the students logbook and enter their CFI #. I can not find it and do not believe it to be factual, but it seems to be standard practice! Anyone have an input?

[helidave]

61.51

(h) Logging training time.

(1) A person may log training time when that person receives training from an authorized instructor in an aircraft, flight simulator, or flight training device.

 

(2) The training time must be logged in a logbook and must:

 

(i) Be endorsed in a legible manner by the authorized instructor; and

 

(ii) Include a description of the training given, the length of the training lesson, and the authorized instructor's signature, certificate number, and certificate expiration date.

Edited September 9, 2007 by helidave

[Nuke]

Thanks Dave, That's what I was looking for!