Pilot logbook


A pilot logbook is a record of a pilot's flying hours. It contains every flight a pilot has flown, including flight time, number of landings, and types of instrument approaches made. Pilots also log simulator time, as it counts towards training.
In most countries, pilots are required to maintain a logbook, per their government's aviation regulations. The primary purpose is to show that certain requirements have been met for a certificate or rating, and for currency purposes.

Flight logging requirements by country

United States

In the United States, a pilot is required to log all flight time that is used to meet the minimum requirements for a certificate, rating, flight review, or instrument proficiency check, and for currency. This means that a pilot does not need to record every single one of his or her flights.
The Federal Aviation Administration does not require the flights logged to be logged in an official logbook or format, so long as the conditions CFR Title 14 §61.51 paragraph b are met. This requires information about the flight, such as date, total time, locations of takeoff and landing, and information regarding pilot in command, etc.
Because the FAA does not require an official logbook or official format, many different formats are available to pilots. Some pilots even use digital methods, such as recording this information in Microsoft Excel or a similar spreadsheet, or through online or other digital methods of recording their flights.