What do you use to log your flight hours?

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 May 2018 18:34:27 -0400

I’m about to start flying for the Army next week, and I’m curious who here uses an electronic log of their flight hours for personal record keeping. If you use paper, why do you prefer pepper to electronic? Is there an app or program that generates flight plans and stores logs, all in one? I’m interested in GA as well as military & commercial use.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2018 6:49 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 May 2018 18:49:08 -0400

I always used a paper notebook myself, always paranoid that an error or computer issue would corrupt my log. I’ve totally seen CAFRS lose hours, and always preferred a logbook as proof against it.

Response by CPT Nicholas D. made May 17 at 2018 7:07 PM

CPT Nicholas D. — Thu, 17 May 2018 19:07:43 -0400

Log Ten Pro is a great app for logging flights. I started off with paper, but found the electronic app easier. The app will Gen reports, cumulate categories of time, etc. It’s a good idea to have a paper log too if you are looking to do civilian Aviation later (and it’s a nice keep sake). But definitely log your time. A lot of Army guys don’t, and it is harder to catch up if you haven’t been doing it for a while. The longer you go, the even harder it gets. Logging my own time even bailed me out on a semi annual min when the crew chiefs doing the -12’s made a few errors. It’s part of the routine of nurturing a growing career. Unless you are committed to never touching an aircraft again after leaving the Army, the benefits greatly outweigh the nuisance.

Response by CW5 Ranger Dave made May 17 at 2018 7:46 PM

CW5 Ranger Dave — Thu, 17 May 2018 19:46:43 -0400

Used a small pocket log book daily to record my flights. Upon retirement, I stapled my last 759 closeout to the back flap of a massive Jepp Logbook and went from there. Most airlines publish an equivalent to a 759.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2018 11:03 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 May 2018 23:03:07 -0400

A pencil, if a pen isn’t handy!!! LOL!!!

Response by PVT Mark Brown made May 18 at 2018 12:02 AM

PVT Mark Brown — Fri, 18 May 2018 00:02:45 -0400

Paper napkin?

Response by CW5 Ranger Dave made May 18 at 2018 12:50 AM

CW5 Ranger Dave — Fri, 18 May 2018 00:50:12 -0400

Just FYI.

From my second career as an FAA Safety Inspector...ALWAYS PUT YOUR FLIGHT TIME ON YOUR APPLICATIONS FOR FAA CERTIFICATES (i.e. Commercial or ATP, even medicals) This way if you lose your logbook or a computer app fails, you can request a Blue Ribbon Packet from FAA Airman Records at Oklahoma City to regenerate a lost logbook. This means to have your logbook with you when you apply so it can be verified.

Just like the Farmers Insurance commercials, we seen it all...Examples...Logbook in trunk of car which was stolen. The dog ate it. My EX burnt it along with all my documents for my airplane. Our house burnt down. My kid accidentally threw it away. I left it in a rental airplane, etc...

Response by CW5 John M. made May 18 at 2018 1:00 AM

CW5 John M. — Fri, 18 May 2018 01:00:10 -0400

I flew many types and models of helicopters and fixed wing (Civil & military). Most of my time was before the electronic, so I ended up collecting several books, and "pocket logs" (which I would transfer to the book later - then discard). There were certain factors I wanted to track that would end up adding numerous columns that tended to make a log unweildy. I wanted to know my times for specific types, models, configs, and airframes (float, tail-dragger, complex, HP, cowl, Supercharge, turbo, T-S, STOL, etc) so I wouldn't have to go back In later to try to pull them out. That did not work too well because if I was using a column for a particular thing that I was no longer doing, I re-titled the column to the new thing I was tracking, which would still require me to search the pages to locate the "old" columns. Generally, I let the Army manage my military, unless there was something I particularly wanted to track. Now that my flying career is "over" ( I may tinker in the ultra-light area sometime). My personal need to consolidate my books, columns, configs, and times is no longer necessary - unless to attempt to make "bragging" points sometime in the future. One of the advantages of an electronic log might be a "remarks" column where you could make a short "journal" of the flight - names, hazards, notable events, etc that would "jog" your memory decades later.

Response by TSgt Gwen Walcott made May 18 at 2018 9:20 AM

TSgt Gwen Walcott — Fri, 18 May 2018 09:20:39 -0400

Simple person --->
--- Paper logbook in case of computer crashes (and it is easier to show examiners than lugging a desktop computer along with you)
--- Excel spreadsheet --- NOT on the cloud. This is my primary, and more detailed than what paper provides.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2018 9:29 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 May 2018 09:29:13 -0400

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member Didn't you develop a flight log?

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2018 11:46 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 May 2018 11:46:06 -0400

I've gone from the Army to the airlines and have come across multiple ways to track flight time. If all your doing is career army and no plans on the civilian side (a plan I don't recommend by the way) CAFRs is fine. I started with a paper logbook back in 2000 and still use it today. On the flip side LogX Pro is the most common and probably the best app for keeping your records straight. ForeFlight also has a logbook function on it as well ( though from what I understand not as good) but it does give you the ability to do all your flight planning and logging all in one app. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2018 9:55 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 09:55:08 -0400

If you're on Facebook, I designed and maintain a very in-depth flight log and crew tracking Excel workbook--it's free.

Additionally, it incorporates GA standard modes and classes within the flight log in order to display and account to for Hobs/Tach time.

Just search "Aviator Tool Box" on Facebook. There's about 900 people in the group that utilize the file; ATB works for all Army airframes and also has functionality built in for tracking Your/RCMs/NRCMs minimums during their SA period.

I hope that helps!

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jun 17 at 2021 10:15 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 10:15:08 -0400

I left it to the Air Force to reCord my flight hours. THey got it right for 22 years back when everything was on main frame computers. I’m guessing the Services Have upgraded to a web based flight reCords systeM. Accurate inputs from you are eSsential. See if tHe outputs from the Army system meet your needs beFore buying software.