Register

Guard Your Logbook

An instructor weighs in on who writes what—and where—in a pilot’s logbook.

An instructor weighs in on who writes what—and where—in a pilot’s logbook. [Credit: iStock]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Proper and timely logging of flight experience, especially dual instruction, is critical, with CFIs holding primary responsibility for accurate entries and signatures at the time of the lesson.
  • All instructional time (air, ground, ATD) used for certificates or ratings must be documented according to FAR 61.51, and endorsements require specific, FAA-approved language (e.g., from AC 61-65) to be valid for check rides.
  • Learners should meticulously maintain their logbooks, whether paper (careful totaling, dedicated sections) or electronic (regular backups), to protect records and ensure smooth check rides.
See a mistake? Contact us.

The learner was totaling up his logbook for his private pilot check ride. He was using a paper logbook—and had been doing so for the several years he had been working on his private pilot certificate. The learner had recently moved from California to Washington. One page in his logbook had five consecutive blank lines from flights in California that were dual lessons required for completion of the certificate. 

The learner explained that the California CFI was very busy, rushing from one lesson to another everyday, so he instructed the learner to “fill out the logbook,” saying he would sign it later. The learner wasn’t sure what to write so he left the lines blank—and then left the state before the CFI could sign. There was talk of the CFI flying up to Washington or the learner flying down to California to get the necessary signatures.

Meg Godlewski

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.

Ready to Sell Your Aircraft?

List your airplane on AircraftForSale.com and reach qualified buyers.

List Your Aircraft
AircraftForSale Logo | FLYING Logo
Pilot in aircraft
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE