Hi everyone,
I think its time I get started on a digital logbook. I’ve had MyFlightBook recommended to me, but I didn’t know if there were any particular functionality tools I should be looking for. Also, for the airlines, do they prefer any digital logbook apps or would paper books suffice? If the digital logbook is simply a backup, could I use Excel or do designated apps provide any added benefit?
Thanks for all your input!
-Jack
Can’t recommend LogTen pro enough. I have had it since about halfway through the ATP program and still going strong 4.5 years later. It makes filling out iacra and applications simple, as well as printouts for interviews.
Hey Jack,
I use LogTen Pro as well. It’s a good product. When I flew for Horizon I was able to import my schedule to LogTen. That was a nice feature.
The airlines don’t have a preference which digital logbook you use.
Excel is fine, but only as a backup.
I maintained a paper logbook until I upgraded at Horizon. My only regret is that I should have converted to digital when I became a CFI. I did not have good logbook discipline. I would allow 6 months to go by without making an entry.
Going digital makes everything so much easier. If I had pulled my schedule into LogTen, all I had to add to each flight was the tail number, out/in time, landings and approaches since everything else was already autofilled. Night time is also automatically calculated if you have the program set up for the correct time zone.
The developers of LogTen are pilots themselves so they know which features matter and which ones don’t. Worth every penny.
Don’t forget to back up your logbook to the cloud! 
it’s also a good idea to backup your logbook to a Mac if you have one.
Tory
Jack,
I’ve been an NC Logbook Pro guy for decades. The 8710 feature alone is worth the price.
Adam
Jack,
I should point out that Log Ten Pro offers a discount to ATP graduates through the ATP Alumni Association:
Chris
Jack,
I use both paperback and ForeFlight as an instructor at ATP (because as a student/instructor we use ForeFlight and it’s included in the price). I like doing both because it allows me to double check and audit my logbooks to ensure my numbers match. With ForeFlight and LogTen Pro, you can download the CSV file which is how any online logbook platform uses to convert the files into their system.
You could also use Excel, but why go through the hassle since you’ll have ForeFlight; I like to think simplicity and time saving.
For my regional interviews, I printed out all my digital entries into a condensed 2-page which resulted in nearly 50 pages, signed them and put them into clear sleeves inside a nice 3-ring leather presentation binder from Staples. Two of my interviews that I used this for really liked the way I presented it. This also allowed me to put other important interview stuff such as resumes (always kept extra, never knew who I would pass in the terminal of an airport), cover letter, summary of my experience, letter of recommendations, etc.
When you go to an interview, they’re going to want your original logbook(s) regardless, they want proof of your training events that took place.
Brady
I’m gonna be the lone wolf here (surprising as a millennial) and say I love my paper. Digital is a great back up to have but not necessary. I use EZlogbook but it’s truly just a backup and fun resource to map out my years of flying, etc. I used paper at my interview at the majors and all those in between.
Jordan
I, too have stuck with a paper log book, but I have never been accused of being with the times.
Will having a digital logbook help any for the interview process? If its simply a backup, sticking with the paper logbooks makes sense to me
I’m going to have to be the rep for Myflightbook. It’s free and the creator is easily accessible on Facebook. You can easily export your data to a pdf, excel spreadsheet, or CSV. I love all of the features it has to offer. For a free app, it’s amazing. I don’t like that other companies can change the price anytime they feel as though they want to. I finally switched all of my hours from paper to electronic when I hit 500 and it took me quite a while, but also allowed me to recognize some minor errors I made in my paper logbook. I have since logged a few hundred more hours and have not had any problem. I know of a few other pilots that have switched from other electronic logbooks to myflightbook and have not looked back. Do some research in other forums as well. It’s overall a personal decision but I did a fair amount of research myself and that’s the conclusion I came to.
Jack,
I think the digital helps in that it is much easier to break out your flight time into various categories with a digital logbook.
That being said, I have always used paper and never found it to be too much hassle.
Chris
Up until now, I used a simple digital logbook with a very user friendly interphase. I didn’t need much for logging training and instructing hours so I wanted it simple and easy to use. I also liked the price point at a one time fee of $30.
However, now that I’m at the airlines, I found LogTen to be a notable upgrade despite the price. The big selling point, syncing my schedule automatically to my logbook. Of course, it’s still worth reviewing before importing but it saves a lot of time from single manual entries. I also like how I can track FAR 117 duty and flight hour limits.
Anyway, it was a very easy process to export from my old digital logbook to LogTen. It took less than 24 hours to get everything transferred over and set up and I’m happy I did. Plus I used the ATP Alumni discount so the cost didn’t hurt so bad:)
-Hannah
Thank you everyone for all the input! I appreciate it
Jack,
Anytime. Let us know how else we can help you.
Chris