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 essential for tracking flight time, experience, and qualifications, serving as documented proof for certification, currency, and career advancement.
Paper logbooks are tangible and universally accepted, but they are susceptible to damage or loss, involve manual calculations prone to human error, and make data analysis difficult.
Electronic logbooks offer automatic calculations, easy editing, advanced reporting features, and cloud backup, though they may have an initial learning curve, dependence on technology, and potential subscription costs.
The choice between paper and electronic logbooks depends on individual needs and situations, with many pilots opting for a combination of both for redundancy and optimal convenience in different scenarios.

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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.