Paper vs. Electronic Logbooks: Pros and Cons

Find out the best flight logbook for you—paper, digital, or a combination.

Monday, August 19, 2024 at 10:55 AM ET

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You may consider using more than one type or brand of logbook to diversify your data storage. [Photo by Carly Chamerlik | Flying Magazine]

Key Takeaways:

Pilot logbooks are crucial for tracking flight time, experience, and qualifications, serving as documented proof for certifications, currency, and career advancement.
Paper logbooks offer tangibility and universal acceptance but are prone to manual errors, limited space, and vulnerability to loss or damage.
Electronic logbooks provide automatic calculations, advanced reporting, and secure cloud backup, though they come with an initial learning curve, technology dependence, and potential subscription costs.
The best logbook choice often depends on individual needs and usage context, with many pilots using electronic for efficiency in career progression and considering a paper backup for accessibility.

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Logging flight time and experience is an essential part of becoming a pilot. Logbooks, both paper and electronic, help pilots track and organize their hours and endorsements for future reference.

Deciding which type of logbook to use is important to do early on in your flying career, if possible. The more hours a pilot accumulates, the more work it will be to transfer all of that information into a new format. Before choosing a logbook, consider these pros and cons to determine which one is right for you.