The logbook is one of the most important documents for every pilot - whether helicopter or fixed-wing pilot, whether in training or already flying professionally. It serves as a personal log of your entire flying experience and is also the official proof for licences, ratings, examinations and authorities. In this article, you will find the most important information about keeping a logbook, summarised from our five knowledge articles.
1 Legal basis: What do EASA and the FOCA prescribe?
The legal requirements for the flight logbook are clearly defined. You must document your flight times completely and comprehensibly in accordance with EASA FCL.050. The FOCA adopts these rules and accepts both paper logbooks and digital logbook systems.
- EASA FCL.050 defines all mandatory fields
- FOCA accepts digital and paper-based logbook entries
- Digital logbooks must be exportable
- Mandatory fields such as date, take-off site, landing site, times and roles are clearly defined
2. digital flight logbook or paper? A clear comparison
Both variants are legally permissible, but there are clear differences in practice.
Advantages of the paper logbook
- Classic, simple and recognised worldwide
- Does not require any technology
- Clearly structured
Disadvantages of the paper logbook
- High susceptibility to errors in totals and times
- No backup - loss means total loss
- No automatic analyses
Advantages of digital logbooks
- Automatic calculation of all times
- Plausibility checks for error-free entries
- Backups protect your data
- Fast exports for audits and authorities
- Statistics available in real time
3. flight log terms explained clearly
Many terms in the logbook are used incorrectly or imprecisely. Here are the most important definitions:
- PIC: Pilot in charge
- PICUS: PIC under the supervision of a trainer
- Dual: Flight with instructor
- Co-pilot (SIC): Second pilot in multi-pilot operation
- IFR time: Flight according to instrument flight rules
- IMC: Weather conditions below VFR minima
- Night flying time: Between the civil twilight phases
- Landings: Separated by day and night
4. keep the flight logbook correctly: The most important points
Before the flight
- Clarify role: PIC, Dual, Co-Pilot, PICUS
- Define VFR, IFR or night flight
- Prepare ICAO codes for take-off and landing site
After the flight
- Record flight times immediately
- Correctly separate night and IFR
- Enter landings separately
- Use the comments field sensibly
Check regularly
- Check totals of all times
- Compare block time and flight time
- Ensure that licence requirements are met
5. the most common errors in the flight log
Many pilots make similar mistakes - often unknowingly. Among the most common are
- Incorrect assignment of the on-board function
- Place names instead of ICAO codes
- Night flight time calculated incorrectly
- IFR and IMC mixed up
- Unaudited totals
- Missing data backups
Why FlightLog is the ideal digital flight log for you
ROTAIR FlightLog was specially developed for helicopter and aeroplane pilots and automatically eliminates many sources of error. With intelligent calculations, clear statistics, export functions and backups, you have your flight logbook perfectly under control at all times.
- Automatic totalling
- Clear recording of all roles such as PIC, dual and co-pilot
- Support for IFR, night and special exercises
- Exports for auditors and authorities
- Synchronisation between Windows, iOS and Android
- Secure backups and high data stability