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Electronic Logbook


S4Flier

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Now that's I've tossed paper charts in favor of an iPad with ForeFlight, it may be time to transition away from paper/bound logbooks. I'm looking at Logten Pro for the iPad which can do much more than I need.

 

My question -- what does one do when you need a signed endorsement? The only one I will be having is my biennial (unless I decide to get my seaplane rating -- but that's another post) so it's not a frequent occurrence. Do I simply print out a blank page, enter the data, have the CFI add their endorsement, scan the page into Logten and file the original in my paper files? Anyone done this?

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  • 1 year later...

My logbooks have been entirely electronic (excel spreadsheets) since 1987. I have endorsements written out and signed, usually on the bill for the flights, which I scan. I save the .pdf file and throw the original away. (I think next time I'll just take a picture of the endorsement with my phone.)

 

I consider this to be a million times more secure, with standard computer backup techniques, than having a written log. It's also much more flexible. I design my logbooks based on my own interests. For example, my sailplane logbook tracks the miles of my cross-country flights, highlights flights over diamond distance and totals these up by year. Furthermore, it's easier to keep track of things the insurance folks ask for like hours in make and model.

 

I have no idea what the legal implications of this approach are. (If you do know, and they are negative, please do me a favor and don't post that information on a website I might be expected to see).

 

My aircraft logbooks are not electronic. Someday I might want to sell an airplane and the buyer might be weary of electronic shenanigans (as I would be). Personal logbooks are different. I fill that information in myself anyway... except for the endorsements, which as I say I document photographically.

 

Mike Koerner

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Here is the article I was thinking of. Don't know that it answers your question.

http://www.aopa.org/info/certified/pilot-protection-services/archives/2012/120601kathylegallyspeaking.html

 

Mike, I would think what you are doing should work. It seems what the FAA would be looking for is a way to check the entry is correct and a photo copy (or electronic copy) should do that. The only caveat I would have is to have an off site backup (cloud storage would probably make the most sense these days) in case of fire or other destructive event.

Doug

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I have been told that when it comes to seeing an endorsement which gives a Sport Pilot the privilege of flying a category and class of airplane that FAA may demand an original signature and not a facsimile thereof.   Since I am not an FAA official or attorney, you are welcome to ignore this comment.  

 

The term endorsement has several general and specific meanings in aviation and I won't pretend to know all of them, so some "endorsements" might be accepted based on a variety of evidence and others might require specific supporting documentation. I don't know.

 

 

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The other issue with light sport logs is that you are required to have the endorsements in your possession in the aircraft. That makes it more important to have some sort of backup in case of a lost logbook. (As I understand it.)

Doug

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My understanding is that copies are not acceptable - they want original signatures. Note: I am not an expert on this - I'm passing on what I was told by a generally reliable source.

 

You might ask the instructor sign another endorsement and keep that one separate. No reason s/he can't sign 2-3 copies of the same endorsement.

 

 

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