Looking for how other pilots make entried in their logbooks.
As I made an entry in my logbook (a standard design) the other day, I realized I’m still basically doing it the same way my instructor did years ago. Each “flight” (sortie? mission?) is a line. Meaning, if I go from A to B to C and back to A, it’s all on one line: A - B - C - A. Then the cumulative time is entered in the following blocks. This means that I end up trying to write 3 or more airport identifiers into the space made for just two (From, To).
Now, this works fine in training where you’re just doing a few touch-and-goes at each place, never really stopping for long, as it doesn’t clutter up your logbook needlessly.
Then today a friend and I flew to another airport for lunch. In the past I would enter it all on one line, A - B - A, just because that’s the way I’ve been doing it. But I thought, “they must only have a From and To block on there for a reason, and scrunching them all in there looks dumb”. So I thought maybe it would be better to use two lines, A - B and B - A, breaking down the total time by each leg.
I know there is no FAA requirement for how it’s done, but I’m wondering how you all make your entries. I’m thinking about making a new line any time I shut the airplane down, unless it’s just for getting gas. What about airline pilots? Is each leg of a flight its own line?
On the other hand, my previous method is certainly more space-efficient! Are there any plusses or minuses to doing it either way?
When I go to a different airport and back I enter A - B - A
I don’t often go to more than one different airport, but when I do I enter (A - B) (B - C)…(_ - A) that is, each on a different line.
I do it the same way as N9IWP. But if something particularly interesting happens, I’ll write it in as much space as it takes. That is, I’ll start in the comments box and continue writing starting in the date box and fill up that line, and so on.
At least that’s the idea. My flights thus far have not warranted such verbosity, and I tend to be a bit terse anyway. (Except when I’m posing on message boards! ) Anyway, I think the most I’ve written is two lines.
So while most of my entries are only one line in the manner that N9IWP, I’ll eventually get around to making my log book a more interesting read.
I log it as A - B - A also. I don’t have any real reason for doing it that way, other than that’s how I have been doing it all along.
It can get to be a real mess when you are practicing instrument approaches with a landing at each field. I sometimes will take off and do a VOR approach at one field, ILS at another, NDB at yet another, and so on. I sometimes have 4 or 5 airports crammed into that little space meant for 2.
Looking back through the last couple of years of entries, I’ve only separated by line if I actually shut down the engine and parked the plane at my destination.
That means I usually enter it A - B - A, and sometimes A - B -C - A. Like just about everyone in this thread, I do it because that’s how my instructor did it when I was in training. Of course, that’s problematic if you hit seven airports on one flight.
(Yes, there’s actually an entry that reads C77-44C-C37-EFT-C86-IC8-C77!)
I do A-B-C etc, unless I come back on a different day. So if I stay overnight, I put the return trip on another line.
However…
I fly several different airplanes. If I fly a Warrior on one trip on a given day, then on the same day do a trip in a Colt, I log those separately. This has happened on a number of occasions.
On some days I’ve flown three different kinds of airplanes. I try hard to remember the pertinent numbers in each bird…
The history of aviation is full of people who were afraid to fly, but they tried it anyway – and liked it! The best way to get over a fear of flying is to seek out a competent instructor (shop around until you find one with whom you’re comfortable) and go up for an introductory lesson. I remember the Champion (I think) sparkplug slogan for their aviation products. “It’s fun to fly!” And they’re right.
I’ll see if I can turn up a number or a website for you to contact.
Hell Murcielago, I know a FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR who is afraid of heights! You can do it!
I wasn’t afraid of flying, but was (and still am) afraid of aerobatics. But looking back, I understand that when things become familiar to me, I become comfortable with them.
Stalls scared the heck out of me the first time. Then last year I found myself taking a Colt up and trying to force it into an accelerated stall just to see how it would react. I hadn’t realized I’d ceased being scared of them. (Please note: I still RESPECT what I’m doing; not talking about recklessness here)
Then I got into some benign aerobatics that scared me, then it got to be fun as I became familar with the procedure and sensations.
I did spin training recently, and it scared the hell out of me. I’m still scared of spins, but at this time next year I expect to be OK with them.
So I encourage you, go see what it’s all about and you may surprise yourself at how well you adapt to the activity.
I have driven motorcyles at over 100 mph down PCH and my sportscar at over 130 mph on the long, empty stretch of I-15 to Vegas. I am fine as an air passenger, but the thought of controlling a machine of that size freaks me out. I appreciate the advice and I will look into it further, but I will probably end up sticking with the PC flight simulators.
) Anyway, I think the most I’ve written is two lines.