The Logbook Saga
Ed Downs
As a writer, this old CFI picks up inspiration from strange places. In this case, I was auditing the logbook of my student in preparation for a Private Pilot checkride. No big deal, eh? But this was not my full-time student, but a gent who had come to me for the final prep, given that his CFI was not comfortable with the new Airman Certification Standards. He had been working on his Private for years, with a logbook full of endorsements. The question was, did he have the correct endorsements for the check ride?
Fortunately, the DPE involved provided a detailed guideline for the checkride, including a list of 17 endorsements possibly needed in today’s world of bureaucratically driven aviation. It turns out this student’s logbook did not have a current list of pre-printed endorsement (few logbooks do) and significant updating was required. No one had done anything wrong, but the complexity of endorsement requirements has increased markedly in the last 10 years. Of course, the FAA is as helpful as ever, providing an endorsement Advisory Circular (AC-61-65H). Contained therein are 92 official FAA endorsements, for which every CFI is fully responsible. Quite a load! Was it always this way?
Where did the aviator’s logbook come from? Did Orville and Wilber keep one? Did they endorse each other for solo flight? What was considered a cross country 1903? In spite of this writer’s reputation for knowing an enormous amount of worthless aviation trivia, the origin of the personal logbook remains a mystery. To be sure, the pioneers kept records, but more for patent right protection than trying to get a job with an airline. Did this tradition begin with the earliest aviators trying to impress the ladies, “I am the world’s greatest aviator with over seven hours flying time?” Actually, quite a feat back when an average flight might last less than 10 minutes! To be sure, logging flight time became a norm in the military, and later when aviation fell under the authority of various state and federal agencies. But for many of us, the logbook is a diary of adventure, places we have flown to, people we have flown with, and training taken.
A look at my old logbooks (some needed museum-level restoration!) tell the story of a much simpler time. This writer’s career began with only two endorsements, one for solo and one for cross country, neither of which were in my logbook, but on the backside of a long-lost medical certificate. I took all of my written exams and flight tests by simply walking into an FAA office and telling them I wanted to take a test. Sure, minimum hours came into play, but no endorsements. The most fun in visiting a flying career that spans 65 years is remembering the people I have flown with. That included a flight snuggled into my T-Craft BC-12 with a girlfriend, a much tighter fit than could be achieved in my “49” Buick Sedan on the Mulholland Drive scenic outlook. Yep, fun memories!
But there are more than just memories and required endorsements today. How about those three take off and landings in 90 days, night currency, IFR currency, make and model flying time for insurance reasons, date of your last Flight Review, an Instrument Proficiency Check, or other considerations. Remember, given an event that attracts the attention of the FAA, your logbook is subject to audit. Are you sure you logged those six instrument approaches in the last six months? How about full stop landings at night? Remember, currency for category and class, how about that seaplane rating and water landings? Once again, what started as little more than a tradition of keeping a diary of flight experiences has become a legal requirement. Do digital logbooks help keep you legal? To be honest, I do not know. I do know that digital records are accepted, but do they keep track of types of flying required by regulations, providing reminders?
This writer has placed instructional endorsements into digital logbooks but find that the format was obviously not designed by a CFI qualified individual who had any flying experience. In one case, I could not use my Ground Instructor certificate for a written exam endorsement because the format demanded a certificate expiration date. Ground Instructor certificates do not have expiration dates. Is there a truly good digital logbook out there that is not integral to an expensive flight-planning program? How about smart phone convenient? To be sure, they may exist, but one is inclined to wonder why guys like me do not know about them.
Yes, what used to be a fun way of remembering wonderful (or frightening) flying experiences has been taken over by bureaucrats (FAA job security?). The pilot’s logbook remains the standard by which we gauge our flying experience, both a personal and legal document. There are few things in life that will be as well documented as your flying experience, so keep it current and stay up to date on the information that must be logged per the FAA. Now, If I can just figure out how to keep that entry about my wife “flashing” a bunch of tourist in a Ford Tri-motor (not making this up!) while waiting in the run-up aera at Las Vegas from being “audited,” I may retain my reputation for being an aviation pro! All a part of the flying saga contained in my logbooks.
