View source for Pilot logbook

[[File:Pilot logbook (cover).jpg|thumb|right|250px|An aircraft pilot's logbook]]
[[File:Pilot logbook (pages).jpg|thumb|right|250px|Typical page layout in aircraft pilot's logbook]]

A '''pilot logbook''' is a record of a [[Aircraft pilot|pilot]]'s flying hours. It contains every flight a pilot has flown, including flight time, number of [[landing]]s, and types of [[instrument approach]]es made. Pilots also log [[flight simulator|simulator]] time, as it counts towards training.<ref name="Part-FCL">{{cite web |title=EASA Part-FCL |url=https://www.easa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/dfu/Part-FCL.pdf |access-date=11 May 2023 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126105038/https://www.easa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/dfu/Part-FCL.pdf |archive-date=26 January 2023}}</ref>{{rp|FCL.630.H}}<ref name="UK CAA instrument rating">{{cite web |title=Instrument rating for aeroplanes |url=https://www.caa.co.uk/commercial-industry/pilot-licences/aeroplanes/instrument-rating-for-aeroplanes/ |website=www.caa.co.uk |publisher=UK Civil Aviation Authority |access-date=21 November 2023 |quote=up to 20 hours may be instrument ground time in a FNPT I or up to 35 hours in an FFS or FNPT II. A maximum of 10 hours of FNPT II or an FFS instrument ground time may be conducted in a FNPT I}}</ref>

In most countries, pilots are required to maintain a logbook, per their government's [[aviation regulations]]. The primary purpose is to show that certain requirements have been met for a [[Pilot licensing and certification|certificate]] or rating, and for currency purposes.

Time logged is [[Flight time|block time]], which includes time spent [[taxiing]], not just time in the air.

== Flight logging requirements by country ==

===Australia===
In Australia, pilot logbooks must be retained for seven years after the last entry.<ref name="CASA">{{cite web |title=Private pilot licence |url=https://vfrg.casa.gov.au/general/licensing/private-pilot-licence/ |publisher=Australia Civil Aviation Safety Authority |access-date=29 October 2021 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225192842/https://vfrg.casa.gov.au/general/licensing/private-pilot-licence/ |archive-date=25 February 2021 |quote=You need to retain your logbook for at least seven years after your last entry and you must ensure that it is unaltered within this time.}}</ref><ref name="CASA 61.355">{{cite web |title=CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY REGULATIONS 1998 - REG 61.355 Retention of personal logbooks |url=http://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_reg/casr1998333/s61.355.html |website=classic.austlii.edu.au |access-date=29 October 2021}}</ref>

===European Union===
The [[European Aviation Safety Agency]] (EASA) provides a sample logbook format in which all flights should be logged.<ref name="Part-FCL"/>{{rp|FCL.050}} Information to be logged includes location and time of departure and arrival, the aircraft registration, the aircraft make, model and variant, the name of the pilot in command, whether the flight was single-pilot or multi-pilot, and for single-pilot flights whether the aircraft was single-engine or multi-engine. Time in a [[flight simulator]] (FSTD) is also logged.

In addition to the requirements of Part-FCL.050, whether a flight was cross-country should also be logged for the issue of an [[airline transport pilot licence]] (ATPL).<ref name="Part-FCL"/>{{rp|FCL.510.A}}

====Ireland====
In Ireland, electronic logbooks are not acceptable for the issue of an ATPL. All [[PICUS]] (pilot in command under supervision) entries must be countersigned by the pilot in command, including the PIC's licence number;<ref name="IAA PLAM.024"/> electronic signatures are not acceptable.<ref name="IAA FAQ">{{cite web |title=FAQ - Logbook - EU PART-FCL & Irish National Licences |url=https://www.iaa.ie/personnel-licensing/pilot-licences-(eu-regulations)/licensing-faq/faq--logbook---eu-part-fcl-irish-national-licences |website=Irish Aviation Authority |access-date=5 October 2021}}</ref> Time recorded as PICUS but not signed off may not be used at all.<ref name="IAA FAQ"/> All time under instruction must be countersigned by the instructor.<ref name="IAA PLAM.024">{{cite web |title=PLAM.024 Recording of flight time and formatting acceptable to the Irish Aviation Authority |url=https://www.iaa.ie/docs/default-source/publications/advisory-memoranda/personnel-licensing-advisory-memoranda-(plam)/recording-of-flight-time-and-formatting-acceptable-to-the-irish-aviation-authority.pdf |website=Irish Aviation Authority |access-date=5 October 2021}}</ref>

===United Kingdom===
In the United Kingdom, personal logbooks must be retained for at least 2 years after the date of the last entry.<ref name="UK ANO 235">{{cite web |title=Air Navigation Order 2016, PART 9 Documents and records, Section 235 Production of documents and records |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/765/article/235/made |access-date=5 December 2021}}</ref>

=== United States ===

[[File:Pilot log book.jpeg|thumb|Aircraft Pilot logbook]]

In the United States, a pilot is required to log all flight time that is used to meet the minimum requirements for a certificate, rating, flight review, or instrument proficiency check, and for currency.<ref name=":0">{{Citation|title=e-CFR: Title 14: Aeronautics and Space PART 61—Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors, Subpart A—General | url=http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr;sid=8ba6845324e8b8199b52458202355632;rgn=div8;view=text;node=14:2.0.1.1.2.1.1.31;idno=14;cc=ecfr | language=en-US | access-date=2017-10-26}}</ref> This means that a pilot does not need to record every single one of his or her flights.

The [[Federal Aviation Administration]] does not require the flights logged to be logged in an official logbook or format, so long as the conditions [[Code of Federal Regulations|CFR]] Title 14 §61.51 paragraph b are met.<ref name=":0" /> This requires information about the flight, such as date, total time, locations of takeoff and landing, and information regarding pilot in command, etc.

Because the FAA does not require an official logbook or official format, many formats are available to pilots. Some pilots even use digital methods, such as recording this information in a [[spreadsheet]], or using a specially-designed [[Application software|app]].

== See also ==
* [[Logbook]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Aviation law]]


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