How to Fill Out a Pilot Logbook

Starting your journey as a pilot means learning to document every flight properly. A pilot logbook is your official record of flight time, training, and experience—and it's required by the Federal Aviation Administration under 14 CFR § 61.51. Whether you're a student pilot preparing for your first solo or working toward an airline transport pilot license, understanding how to fill out a pilot logbook correctly is essential for meeting regulatory requirements and advancing your flying career.

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Key Takeaways

  • Required Information: Every logbook entry must include the date, aircraft type and identification, departure and arrival locations, flight time, and type of pilot experience (solo, dual, pilot in command, etc.).

  • Instructor Endorsements: Flight instructors must sign your logbook with their certificate number and expiration date for all training flights.

  • Format Flexibility: The FAA accepts both paper logbooks and electronic logbooks, provided they contain all required information and are readily available for inspection.

Ready to start your pilot training with expert instruction? Begin your aviation journey at Hillsboro Aero Academy and learn proper logbook management from day one.

Start Your Aviation Journey with Proper Training

Understanding how to fill out a pilot logbook correctly is just one element of professional flight training. At Hillsboro Aero Academy, our experienced flight instructors teach proper documentation techniques alongside comprehensive flight instruction. We guide students through every aspect of pilot training, from their first logbook entry through advanced certifications.

Our FAA-approved programs under Part 141 and Part 61 provide flexible training options for both domestic and international students. With multiple campuses across Oregon and a fleet of well-maintained training aircraft, we offer an ideal environment for building your flying experience.

Ready to begin your aviation career training with expert instruction in logbook management, flight techniques, and everything you need to become a professional pilot? Contact Hillsboro Aero Academy today to learn about our training programs and start documenting your journey toward the flight deck.

Understanding FAA Logbook Requirements

The Federal Aviation Administration establishes pilot logbook requirements through 14 CFR § 61.51, which mandates that each person must document and record training time and aeronautical experience in a manner acceptable to the Administrator. This regulation provides flexibility in format while establishing strict standards for the information that must be recorded.

You must log flight time used to meet requirements for a certificate, rating, or flight review. You must also record aeronautical experience required for meeting recent flight experience (currency) requirements. Not every flight needs to be logged, but any flight counting toward certification or currency must be properly documented.

The regulation doesn't prescribe a specific logbook format. Both paper logbooks and digital logbooks are acceptable, provided they contain complete information and can be presented for inspection by the federal aviation administration or other authorized authorities.

What Makes a Logbook "Acceptable to the Administrator"

A logbook is considered acceptable when it clearly communicates all required information to FAA inspectors or examiners in a format that can be readily understood and verified. For paper logbooks, this means legible handwriting in permanent ink. For electronic logbooks, it means the ability to export or print records that demonstrate regulatory compliance.

The FAA released Advisory Circular AC 61-65J in October 2024, providing the most current guidance on logbook standards and instructor endorsements. This document emphasizes that logbooks serve multiple critical functions: establishing pilot qualifications, supporting insurance decisions, and providing evidence during accident investigations.

Pro Tip: Treat your logbook as a legal document from day one. Future employers, insurance companies, and the FAA will scrutinize every entry for accuracy and professionalism.

 

Required Information for Every Logbook Entry

Every logbook entry must contain specific mandatory information as outlined in federal regulations. Missing any of these elements can invalidate the entry for certification or currency purposes.

Essential Data Fields

Required Field

Description

Example

Date

The date the flight occurred (include year)

11/27/2025

Aircraft Type & ID

Make, model, and registration number

Cessna 172, N12345

Departure Point

Airport or location where flight began

KHIO (Hillsboro)

Arrival Point

Airport or location where flight ended

KTTD (Troutdale)

Flight Time

Total duration in decimal hours

1.5 (1 hour 30 minutes)

Pilot Experience Type

Solo, dual, PIC, SIC, etc.

Dual Received

Conditions

Day/night, actual/simulated instrument

Day VFR

Recording Flight Time in Decimal Hours

Aviation uses decimal hours rather than hours and minutes. This standardization simplifies calculations and reduces errors when totaling flight hours.

Conversion examples:

  • 1 hour 15 minutes = 1.25 hours
  • 1 hour 30 minutes = 1.5 hours
  • 2 hours 45 minutes = 2.75 hours

Round to the nearest minute when converting. Most pilots use a conversion chart or calculator app during training until decimal hours become second nature.

Aircraft Identification Requirements

Each entry must include the aircraft type (make and model) and aircraft id (registration number or tail number). For example: "Cessna 172, N5678X" or "Robinson R44, N123AB."

For full flight simulator training, record the specific training device used instead of an aircraft registration. Note the location where the simulator session occurred.

 

Types of Flight Time and How to Log Them

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Understanding different categories of flight time is crucial because each type has specific regulatory definitions and logging requirements. Incorrectly categorizing time can delay your progress toward certificates and ratings.

Solo Flight Time

Solo flight time is logged when you are the sole occupant of the aircraft. As a student pilot, you must have specific instructor endorsements before conducting solo flights. Every solo flight is also logged as pilot in command time since you are the only person who can be responsible for the aircraft.

Student pilots should note "Solo" clearly in the remarks section along with any specific maneuvers or requirements completed during the flight. Learn more about solo flight requirements and preparation.

Pilot in Command (PIC) Time

Pilot in command time can be logged under several circumstances defined by regulation:

  • When you are the sole manipulator of the controls of an aircraft for which you are rated
  • When you are the sole occupant of the aircraft
  • When acting as PIC on a flight requiring more than one pilot

The most common scenario for logging pic time is being the sole manipulator of controls. If you hold a private pilot certificate for single-engine airplanes and you fly a Cessna 172 while a flight instructor observes, you log that time as PIC (assuming you're manipulating the controls).

Dual Instruction Time

Dual flight time (also called "dual received") is logged when receiving training from an authorized flight instructor. The instructor must be present in the aircraft or, for ground instruction, conducting a formal training session.

All dual time entries require the instructor's signature, certificate number, and certificate expiration date in the remarks section or designated endorsement area. Without the instructor's signature, the training cannot count toward certificate requirements.

Cross Country Flight Time

Cross-country (XC) time has multiple regulatory definitions depending on which certificate or rating you are pursuing.

General Requirements (Private and Commercial)

For most certificates, cross-country time requires:

Distance: A landing at a point at least 50 nautical miles (straight-line distance) from the original departure point.

Measurement: Distance is measured airport-to-airport (center-point to center-point). Do not use the total distance flown or the "ground track," as these do not count toward the regulatory 50nm minimum.

Navigation: Use of navigation methods such as pilotage, dead reckoning, or electronic navigation.

The "One Landing" Rule: The 50nm requirement applies to at least one landing point. Once one landing is 50+ nautical miles from your departure airport, the entire flight qualifies as cross-country.

Instrument Rating (IR) Nuances

Logging XC time for an Instrument Rating is a common area for errors.

The Long XC: To meet the requirements for an Instrument Rating, you must complete a flight of at least 250nm along airways or ATC-directed routing, involving an instrument approach at each airport and three different kinds of approaches.

En-Route Time: Time is measured by "en-route" progress. To satisfy specific training time requirements, you should avoid "touch-and-go" landings, as they may not fulfill the en-route requirement.

Endorsements: Student pilots must receive specific XC endorsements from their instructor before flying solo. Requirements may also vary slightly between Part 61 and Part 141 flight schools.

Pro Tips for Accurate Logging:

Use Tools, Not Tracks: Calculate the straight-line distance between airports using official flight planning software or online tools. Do not rely on your GPS track, which may be longer due to vectoring or airspace deviations.

Request Delay Vectors: If you need to meet a specific en-route time requirement for a training lesson but are ahead of schedule, request "delay vectors" from ATC. This keeps you in the en-route phase of flight longer to ensure you meet your time goals.

Night Time and Civil Twilight

Night time for logging purposes is defined as the time between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight, as published in the Air Almanac. Civil twilight typically occurs 20-35 minutes after sunset and before sunrise.

This differs from night currency requirements for carrying passengers, which use a different definition (one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise). When logging night time, you should reference civil twilight tables to ensure accuracy.

For night landing currency, you must complete three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop during the period beginning one hour after sunset and ending one hour before sunrise within the preceding 90 days.

Instrument Time

Instrument time can only be logged when operating the aircraft solely by reference to instruments under actual or simulated instrument flight conditions.

Types of Instrument Time

Actual instrument time: Flying in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) where outside visual references are unavailable due to clouds, fog, or other phenomena. Note: Simply flying on an IFR flight plan in clear weather does not count as actual instrument time.

Simulated instrument time: Flying with a view-limiting device (such as "foggles" or a hood) that prevents outside visual reference. This requires a qualified safety pilot to be on board.

Maintaining Currency: The "6-HITS" Rule

To remain current and legal to fly under IFR, you must meet the requirements of FAR 61.57(c) within the preceding six calendar months. This is commonly known as "6-HITS":

  • 6 Instrument approaches.
  • Holding procedures.
  • Intercepting and Tracking courses through the use of navigational electronic systems.

Logging Procedures for Success

When recording your flights, be meticulous about the details required for your "6-HITS."

  1. Approaches: Record the location and type of each approach (e.g., ILS, VOR, or RNAV).
  2. The "Holding" Requirement: This is the most commonly forgotten entry. Ensure you explicitly log any Holding procedures performed during your flight or approach. Without a recorded hold in the last six months, your instrument currency is incomplete.
  3. Detailed Tracking: This level of detail is essential not only for your rating progression but for proving your legal currency during a ramp check or before a flight in IMC.

Second in Command Time

Second in command (SIC) time is logged only when the aircraft is type-certificated for more than one pilot or regulations require two pilots. Simply sitting in the right seat of a single-pilot aircraft doesn't qualify for SIC logging.

A notable exception: when acting as a required safety pilot for another pilot flying under a view-limiting device in VFR conditions, you can log SIC time because you are a required crewmember under 14 CFR § 91.109.

 

Paper Logbook vs. Electronic Logbook: Choosing Your Format

The FAA permits both paper and electronic formats, and many pilots use a hybrid approach. Each format has distinct advantages and limitations worth considering as you begin your aviation journey.

Comparison Table

Feature

Paper Logbook

Electronic Logbook

Cost

One-time purchase ($15-40)

Free to $100+/year subscription

Portability

Always accessible, no power needed

Requires device and sometimes internet

Backup

Manual photocopies or scans needed

Automatic cloud backup

Calculations

Manual arithmetic (error-prone)

Automatic totaling and calculations

Instructor Endorsements

Traditional ink signature

Digital signature (increasingly accepted)

Currency Tracking

Manual tracking

Automatic alerts for expiring currency

Professional Appearance

Traditional, universally accepted

Modern, generates professional reports

Data Loss Risk

Physical damage, loss, theft

Platform discontinuation, technical issues

Paper Logbook Best Practices

If you choose a paper logbook, follow these professional standards:

Use permanent ink: Black or blue pen only. Never use pencil or erasable ink for entries. Using the same pen throughout creates visual consistency.

Correct errors properly: Draw a single, neat line through incorrect entries. Write the correction nearby and initial it. Avoid white-out or heavy scribbling, which raises questions about authenticity.

Sign each page: Sign the bottom of each completed page to certify accuracy. Unsigned pages create red flags for employers and examiners.

Protect your logbook: Store in a safe, dry location. Make photocopies or scans as backup. Consider a protective cover to prevent damage.

Electronic Logbook Options

Popular digital logbook platforms include ForeFlight Logbook, MyFlightbook, LogTen Pro, and others. These applications offer features like automatic calculations, cloud backup, and integration with flight planning tools.

When selecting an electronic logbook, consider:

  • Export capabilities (can you retrieve your data in standard formats?)
  • Platform compatibility (iOS, Android, web browser access)
  • Backup and redundancy features
  • Acceptance of digital instructor endorsements
  • Integration with flight planning apps

ForeFlight Logbook has become an industry standard, offering seamless integration with flight planning and comprehensive reporting features. Many professional pilots use electronic systems to generate hiring reports and track complex currency requirements.

Pro Tip: Many student pilots maintain both a paper logbook for official instructor endorsements and an electronic logbook for calculations and analysis. This hybrid approach provides the best of both worlds during training.

 

Step-by-Step: Filling Out Your First Logbook Entry

Let's walk through completing a typical training flight entry. This example uses a dual instruction flight in a Cessna 172.

Step 1: Record the Date
Write the complete date including month, day, and year. Use a consistent format throughout your logbook (e.g., 11/27/2025 or 27-Nov-2025).

Step 2: Enter Aircraft Information
Record the aircraft make, model, and registration number. Example: "Cessna 172S, N5432A"

Step 3: Log Departure and Arrival Points
Use airport identifiers when possible. Example: "KHIO to KHIO" for a local training flight departing and returning to Hillsboro. For cross-country flights, list all airports visited.

Step 4: Calculate and Record Flight Time
Log the total flight time in decimal hours. If you flew from engine start to shutdown for 1 hour and 45 minutes, record "1.75" in the total flight time column.

Step 5: Categorize the Flight Type
Indicate whether the flight was solo, dual instruction, pilot in command, etc. For a training flight with an instructor, mark "Dual Received" and enter the flight time (1.75) in that column.

Step 6: Note Conditions
Record day or night, actual or simulated instrument conditions. For a daytime VFR training flight, you might simply note "Day" or leave condition columns blank if no special conditions applied.

Step 7: Add Remarks and Training Details
In the remarks section, describe what training occurred. Example: "Slow flight, power-off stalls, steep turns. Private pilot maneuvers practice."

Step 8: Obtain Instructor Signature and Endorsement
Your flight instructor must sign the entry, including their certificate number and expiration date. Example: "John Smith, CFI #1234567, Exp. 12/31/2025"

Step 9: Update Running Totals
At the bottom of each page, calculate cumulative totals for each column. Double check your math to ensure accuracy.

 

Flight Instructor Endorsements: What You Need

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Flight instruction requires specific endorsements documenting that training was provided by an authorized instructor. These endorsements are legally required for solo flights, checkrides, and various other milestones.

Required Endorsement Elements

Every instructor endorsement must include:

  • Description of training provided: Clear statement of what was taught or authorized
  • Instructor's signature: Handwritten (paper) or digital signature
  • Instructor's certificate number: CFI certificate number
  • Certificate expiration date: When the CFI certificate expires

Common Endorsement Types

Pre-solo endorsements: Required before a student pilot's first solo flight and every 90 days thereafter for continued solo privileges.

Solo cross-country endorsements: Required for each solo cross-country flight, including verification of flight planning and weather evaluation.

Knowledge test endorsements: Certifying you're prepared to take the written knowledge test for a certificate or rating.

Practical test endorsements: Certifying you've received training and are prepared for the checkride within the preceding two calendar months.

Working with experienced flight instructors ensures you receive proper endorsements. Learn about the benefits of structured flight school training versus independent instructors.

Pro Tip: Keep a separate endorsement page or section in your logbook. This makes it easier for examiners to find required endorsements during checkrides without flipping through hundreds of flight entries.

 

Common Logbook Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced pilots make logbook errors. Recognizing common mistakes helps you maintain accurate records from the beginning.

Arithmetic Errors in Totals

Manually calculating cumulative totals often leads to mistakes, especially when converting between hours/minutes and decimal hours. These errors compound across multiple pages, potentially creating discrepancies of hours or days.

Solution: Use a calculator for all totals. Consider an electronic logbook that automatically calculates totals and catches mathematical errors.

Incorrect PIC Time Logging

Student pilots sometimes try to log PIC time while receiving dual instruction. This is incorrect. Student pilots cannot log pic time during dual flights because they don't hold a pilot certificate for that aircraft category.

Once you earn your private pilot certificate, you can log PIC time when you're the sole manipulator of controls in an aircraft for which you're rated, even with an instructor present.

Missing Instructor Signatures

Training flights without instructor signatures cannot count toward certificate requirements. Always ensure your flight instructor signs immediately after each training flight, including their certificate number and expiration date.

Cross-Country Distance Mistakes

Not all flights between different airports qualify as "cross-country" for certificate purposes. Understanding the specific regulations governing your training is vital to ensure your hours are loggable.

The Part 61 Standard

For those training under Part 61, the definition of cross-country time for private, commercial, and instrument ratings is strict:

The flight must include a landing at a point at least 50 nautical miles (straight-line distance) from the original departure point.

The Part 141 Variation

If you are enrolled in a Part 141 flight school, these requirements may differ:

Syllabus Requirements: Under Part 141, the definition of a cross-country flight is often governed by your school’s FAA-approved Training Course Outline (TCO).

Lesson vs. Regulation: A lesson may be labeled as "Cross-Country" in your syllabus to teach navigation skills, even if it doesn't meet the 50nm certificate requirement. However, to count toward your final certificate or rating, the flight must still meet the specific distance criteria laid out in the Part 141 Appendix for that course.

Verify Your TCO: Always consult your flight instructor or the school's Chief Instructor. Do not assume a flight qualifies as XC time just because you landed at a different airport; it must meet the specific distance and routing requirements outlined in your school’s approved curriculum.

Summary Tip: While 50nm is the "magic number" for Part 61, Part 141 students must follow their specific school requirements, which can be more specific regarding leg lengths and total trip distance.

Incomplete Remarks

Vague remarks like "local flight" or "pattern work" don't help document your training progress. Be specific about maneuvers practiced, procedures completed, and areas that need improvement.

Better remarks examples:

  • "Soft-field takeoffs and landings. Improved roundout technique. Reviewed crosswind correction."
  • "Cross-country flight planning review. Pilotage and dead reckoning navigation. Diversion procedures."

Leaving Blank Lines

Avoid leaving blank lines within your logbook pages. Blank spaces create opportunities for unauthorized entries and raise questions about logbook integrity. If you have unused lines, draw a single line through them or write "No Entry."

 

Maintaining Professional Standards

Your logbook reflects your professionalism and attention to detail. Employers, insurance companies, and the FAA will scrutinize your records throughout your flying career.

Organization and Presentation

Keep your logbook neat, organized, and up to date. Make entries promptly after each flight while details are fresh. Delaying entries increases the likelihood of errors or omissions.

Use consistent formatting throughout your logbook. If you abbreviate "cross-country" as "XC" in one entry, use that abbreviation consistently. Maintaining consistent abbreviations improves readability and professionalism.

Backing Up Your Records

Regardless of format, create backup copies of your logbook regularly. For paper logbooks, photograph or scan each page and store digital copies in multiple locations (cloud storage, external drive, email to yourself).

For electronic logbooks, periodically export your complete logbook data in portable formats like CSV or PDF. This protects you if the logbook company ceases operations or experiences data loss.

Preparing for Checkrides and Interviews

Before checkrides or job interviews, review your logbook carefully:

  • Verify all totals are accurate
  • Ensure all required endorsements are present
  • Confirm instructor signatures include certificate numbers and dates
  • Check that times carried forward between logbooks match exactly

Some pilots create summary sheets showing key milestones (first solo, cross-country solo, checkride dates) with page references. This helps examiners and interviewers quickly locate important entries.

Professional pilots pursuing airline careers should understand what life as an airline pilot entails and how proper logbook maintenance supports career advancement.

 

Understanding Currency Requirements

Logging flight time correctly is essential for demonstrating currency. The FAA requires pilots to maintain recent flight experience to act as pilot in command carrying passengers or operating under instrument flight rules.

Passenger-Carrying Currency

To carry passengers during the day, you must have completed three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop within the preceding 90 days in an aircraft of the same category, class, and type.

For carrying passengers at night (one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise), you must have completed three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop during the night period within the preceding 90 days.

Instrument Currency

To act as PIC under IFR or in IMC, you must have logged within the preceding six calendar months:

  • At least six instrument approaches
  • Holding procedures
  • Intercepting and tracking courses through electronic navigation systems

If currency lapses beyond six months, you must complete an instrument proficiency check (IPC) with an authorized instructor before exercising instrument privileges again.

Flight Review Requirements

All pilots must complete a flight review every 24 calendar months consisting of at least one hour of flight training and one hour of ground training with an authorized instructor. The instructor evaluates your knowledge and skills and endorses your logbook upon successful completion.

Proper logbook documentation of your flight review is essential. Without the endorsement, you cannot act as pilot in command regardless of your total flight hours or experience.

 

Tracking Your Progress Toward Certificates and Ratings

Your logbook serves as the official record of experience toward pilot certificates and ratings. Each certificate has specific hour requirements that must be properly documented.

Private Pilot Certificate Requirements

For a private pilot certificate, you must log at least:

  • 40 hours total flight time (Part 61) or 35 hours (Part 141)
  • 20 hours of flight training from an instructor
  • 10 hours of solo flight time
  • 3 hours of cross-country flight training
  • 3 hours of night flight training
  • 3 hours of instrument training
  • 5 hours of solo cross-country time
  • One solo cross-country flight of at least 150 nautical miles with full-stop landings at three points

Instrument Rating Requirements

An instrument rating requires:

  • 50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in command
  • 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time
  • 15 hours of instrument flight training from an authorized instructor
  • 3 hours of instrument training within the preceding two calendar months before the practical test

Commercial Pilot Certificate Requirements

For a commercial pilot certificate, you must log at least:

  • 250 hours total flight time
  • 100 hours in powered aircraft
  • 100 hours of pilot-in-command time
  • 50 hours of cross-country flight time
  • 20 hours of training on commercial pilot areas of operation
  • 10 hours of instrument training
  • Specific solo and cross-country requirements

Accurately tracking each category of time ensures you meet all requirements and can document them clearly when applying for your practical test.

 

Special Considerations for Professional Pilots

As you progress toward professional aviation careers, logbook management becomes increasingly important. Airlines and commercial operators have specific documentation requirements beyond basic FAA regulations.

Airline Hiring Requirements

Airlines request detailed breakdowns of flight experience including:

  • Total flight time
  • Multi-engine time
  • Turbine time
  • Pilot-in-command time
  • International operations
  • Night time
  • Instrument time (actual and simulated)
  • Time by aircraft type

Electronic logbooks excel at generating these detailed reports instantly. Paper logbook users must manually calculate and document these subcategories, which becomes time-consuming with thousands of hours.

Insurance Documentation

Aircraft insurance companies scrutinize pilot logbooks when underwriting policies. Accurate documentation of time in specific aircraft makes and models affects insurance rates and coverage availability.

Discrepancies between claimed experience and actual logged time can result in insurance claim denials. Never estimate or exaggerate flight hours on insurance applications.

ATP Certificate Requirements

The airline transport pilot license represents the highest level of pilot certification. ATP requirements include:

  • 1,500 hours total flight time (with some exceptions for military and certain training programs)
  • 500 hours of cross-country time
  • 100 hours of night time
  • 75 hours of instrument time (actual or simulated)
  • 250 hours as pilot in command

Proper logbook maintenance from day one of training ensures you can clearly document ATP minimums when the time comes.

 

FAQs About Filling Out a Pilot Logbook

Can I use my logbook entries toward an airline transport pilot license?

Yes. All properly logged flight time from your earliest training flights can count toward ATP requirements, provided it meets the specific definitions for each time category. Your logbook serves as the official documentation of the 1,500 hours and other experience requirements for the ATP certificate.

How does proper logbook maintenance help my flying career?

Accurate logbooks demonstrate professionalism to future employers and support your applications for certificates, ratings, and jobs. Airlines, charter operators, and corporate flight departments closely review logbook records during hiring. Professional presentation and complete documentation can differentiate you from other candidates.

What is civil twilight and how does it affect night logging?

Civil twilight is the period when the sun is between 0 and 6 degrees below the horizon. Evening civil twilight ends 20-35 minutes after sunset, and morning civil twilight begins 20-35 minutes before sunrise. For logging purposes, night time is between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight. This differs from the definition for night currency (one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise).

Can I log time in a flight simulator?

Yes. You can log time in a full flight simulator, flight training device, or aviation training device, but it must be properly documented. Record the specific device used and the location where training occurred. Simulator time can count toward certain certificate and rating requirements but has limitations compared to actual aircraft time.

How do I log simulated instrument time?

Simulated instrument time is logged when you fly under a view-limiting device (hood or foggles) that prevents outside visual reference. You must have a safety pilot on board who is appropriately rated and serving as a required crewmember. Record the safety pilot's name in your logbook entry and note "Simulated Instrument" in the conditions column.

What aircraft identification information is required?

Each logbook entry must include the aircraft make, model, and registration number (tail number). For example: "Cessna 172, N12345" or "Piper PA-28, N6789B." For simulator training, record the specific simulator or training device identifier instead of an aircraft id.

Do other countries accept FAA logbook formats?

Many countries recognize FAA logbook formats through bilateral agreements, but international operations may require additional documentation. If you plan to fly internationally or pursue certifications from other national authorities, research their specific logbook requirements. Electronic logbook platforms often support multiple regulatory formats.

How do I track flight time for my instrument rating?

Create separate columns or careful notation in your remarks section to distinguish between actual instrument time (flying in IMC) and simulated instrument time (flying with a hood). Record each instrument approach by type and location. You need 40 hours of instrument time for the rating, with at least 15 hours from an authorized instructor.

What's the best way to keep track of my flight hours?

The best method depends on your preferences and goals. Paper logbooks offer simplicity and universal acceptance. Electronic logbooks provide automatic calculations and professional reports. Many pilots use a hybrid approach, keeping a paper logbook for official records while using an electronic system for analysis and tracking. Choose the method that you'll maintain consistently and accurately.

Should I use consistent abbreviations in my logbook?

Yes. Consistent abbreviations improve readability and professionalism. Common abbreviations include XC (cross-country), PIC (pilot in command), SIC (second in command), IMC (instrument meteorological conditions), and VFR (visual flight rules). Whatever abbreviations you choose, use them consistently throughout your logbook.

What does "dual received" mean in a logbook?

Dual received (or "dual time") refers to flight instruction received from an authorized flight instructor. The term "dual" indicates two people in the aircraft with the instructor providing training. All dual received time requires the instructor's endorsement with signature, certificate number, and expiration date.

What should I do when moving to the next page?

When completing a page, total all columns at the bottom and sign the page. On the next page, enter "Totals Brought Forward" or similar notation in the date column of the first line, then transfer the ending totals from the previous page. This creates continuity and allows verification that all time has been properly carried forward.

Are there other sites that provide logbook guidance?

The FAA provides official guidance through regulations (14 CFR § 61.51) and advisory circulars (AC 61-65J). Aviation organizations like AOPA offer resources for pilots. For comprehensive training on proper logbook techniques and all aspects of flight training, consider learning how flight school training works at an established academy.

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This article presents a general overview of the field of aviation, including job opportunities within that field; it does not describe the educational objectives or expected employment outcomes of a particular Hillsboro Aero Academy program. Hillsboro Aero Academy does not guarantee that students will obtain employment or any particular job. Some positions may require licensure or other certifications. We encourage you to research the requirements for the particular career you desire.