Explore the top electronic and paper logbooks for air carrier pilots..
[ Pilots ]March 8, 2025 5:44 pm ET
By Kasia Szwed-Carlson
Logbooks are essential records that document every pilot’s flying history and provide an accurate account of their flight hours, currency, ratings, and more.
While traditional paper logbooks have been dependable tools for recording pilots’ flight hours in the past, recent advancements in aviation technology have revolutionized this process. As a result, electronic logbooks have become the preferred choice for airline pilots’ recordkeeping needs. However, paper logbooks still serve as an adequate method of backup and logging flight time.
Therefore, let’s examine some of the most popular digital and paper logbooks professional airline pilots use and discuss their benefits and drawbacks.
Quick Look: 8 Best Logbooks for Airline Pilots
LogTen Pilot Logbook
Best of: Comprehensive electronic logbook
The LogTen Pilot Logbook is a comprehensive electronic logbook that provides quick flight logging, immediate calculations, in-depth flight time analysis, and comprehensive reporting. Its advanced technology tracks upcoming flights and notifies pilots about their rest periods, duty limits, and currency requirements. Each pilot’s essential flying data is synchronized across all their devices and securely stored in the cloud.
Features:
- Compatibility: iOS and Mac devices
- Data import: Manual and automatic
- Data backup: Yes
- Additional features: Easily import data from other logbooks, spreadsheets, and PDFs at no cost; automatic synchronization across all Apple devices; the Dynamic Time Loupe function detects potential issues with rest, duty, and flight duty period limits proactively; the LogTen feature tracks upcoming flights to spot limit, currency, or certification problems as the legs are flown; presents robust analytical tools for filtering categories like multi-engine, turbine, total instrument, and others; enables flight log sharing functionality; and more
Disadvantages:
- After the first 50 flight hours, LogTen requires an annual subscription fee that can accumulate over time.
- Because of its comprehensive design, LogTen’s interface and features may require some time to adjust to, particularly for users transitioning from a paper logbook.
Price: First 50 hours of total flight time – Free; Basic – $79.99/year; Pro – $129.99/year; Business – $349.99/year
APDL Airline Pilot Logbook
Best of: 14 CFR Part 117 electronic logbook
The APDL Airline Pilot Logbook is specifically developed for 14 CFR Part 117 scheduled airline operations, focusing on flight and duty limitations and rest requirements for flight crewmembers. Beyond serving as an electronic logbook, the APDL offers payroll tracking, real-time legality calculations, duty time management, crew tracking, schedule imports, report viewing, alerts, data synchronization, and more. This app is highly customizable, catering to the specific needs of individual airline pilots.
Features:
- Compatibility: iOS devices
- Data import: Manual and automatic
- Data backup: Yes
- Additional features: Payroll tracking and calculator; alerts for legality and ready-to-fly information; customizable Status Board view; instant logging and flight updates with APDL’s iCloud-backed integrations; gate change and equipment change notifications; APDL Toolkit for seamless schedule importing with Safari integration; comprehensive flight search for deadheading; and more
Disadvantages:
- Due to its comprehensive design, APDL’s interface and features may take some time to get used to, especially for users moving from a paper logbook.
- APDL is a subscription-based logbook with fees that can accumulate over time.
Price: First 90 days – Free for new users; 30 days – $38.99; 3 months – $77.99; 6 months – $113.99; 1 year – $149.99; 2 years – $269.99
My Pilot Log
Best of: User-friendly electronic logbook
My Pilot Log is an intuitive electronic logbook for pilots. It caters to aviators at all levels, from students to airline pilots. The tool features offline functionality and automatic synchronization, simplifying the tracking and organization of each pilot’s logbook while on the go. Flight data can be imported from various airline operator platforms, including Aims eCrew, Leon, FlightLogger, NavBlue-NOC, and others.
Features:
- Compatibility: Web, iOS, and Android devices
- Data import: Manual and automatic
- Data backup: Yes
- Additional features: Streamlined tracking and management of flight totals, such as flight durations and aircraft types; easy access to details for job and licensing applications; timely alerts enabling pilots to monitor their expiration dates; option to receive email reminders one month before any expiration; tracking currency requirements with customizable options; compliance with EASA, FAA, UKCAA, TCCA, CASA, NZ CAA, and ICAO regulations; and more
Disadvantages:
Price: $13.99-$35.99/year, depending on subscription
FlyGo Pilot Logbook
Best of: Universal electronic logbook
The FlyGo Pilot Logbook is a globally recognized electronic logbook. It is regularly updated to meet the requirements of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the FAA. Users can input their flight history from previous logbooks and continue tracking their flights for a complete flight data logging experience. The logbook is fully customizable, featuring intelligent search and auto-fill capabilities.
Features:
- Compatibility: iOS devices
- Data import: Manual
- Data Backup: Yes
- Additional Features: Automatic logging of day and night flights based on sunrise and sunset times at specified airports; capability to import past flight data and seamlessly continue logging for a complete flight tracking experience; customizable logbook tailored to each pilot’s flight type; intelligent search feature enabling users to filter flights by date range, and aircraft type; and more
Disadvantages:
Price: First 3 days – Free; update to Pro after three minutes of download – $32.99; Pro – $65.99
Inside the cockpit of a Boeing 737 MAX. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Fabian Behr)
ZuluLog
Best of: Versatile electronic logbook
ZuluLog is recognized as the world’s leading electronic logbook. The independent company says it is owned and operated “by pilots for pilots.” Its software is developed, deployed, and supported in the United States while adhering to industry security and FAA standards for electronic information systems. ZuluLog is a versatile electronic tool that not only features flight logging but also serves as a comprehensive electronic flight bag (EFB).
Features:
- Compatibility: Web, iOS, and Android devices
- Data import: Manual and automatic
- Data backup: Yes
- Additional features: Basic and advanced services offer automatic flight logging, VFR sectional charts, IFR charts, georeferenced approach plates, airport diagrams, departure and arrival procedures, in-flight traffic and weather information through ADS-B and FIS-B, pilot currency tracking, automatic night calculations, weight-and-balance assessments, customizable logbook fields, time zone conversions; and more
Disadvantages:
- Free basic version of ZuluLog has limitations that can be restrictive for advanced users.
- Some users have experienced challenges with the export process.
Price: Basic services – Free; Advanced services – Additional fees apply
ForeFlight Logbook
Best of: Transitional electronic logbook
Many pilots preparing to join airlines have likely used ForeFlight at some point before the transition. The ForeFlight Logbook is seamlessly integrated into the ForeFlight app and is an excellent introductory tool for maintaining electronic flight logs. It is designed to log and share flights effortlessly, track hours and endorsements, review currency, record certificates and ratings, and generate experience reports. The color-coded Currency Summary assists pilots in keeping track of their currency for type ratings, medical certificates, landing currency, and more.
Features:
- Compatibility: iOS and Mac devices
- Data import: Manual
- Data backup: Yes
- Additional features: Automatically identifies any missing aircraft profile information to guarantee precise tracking; all data is securely stored in ForeFlight’s cloud; enables bulk import of existing flight time and the ability to export complete logbook data whenever needed; compatible with Apple iOS devices; and more
Disadvantages:
Price: Basic Plus subscription –$120/year; Pro Plus subscription – $240/year; Performance Plus subscription – $360/year
Jeppesen Professional Pilot Logbook
Best of: Professional paper logbook
Due to its comprehensiveness, the Jeppesen Professional Pilot Logbook has become a tried-and-true favorite of aviation professionals. Its design matches that of the Airway Manual binders and includes simplified pilot and aircraft annual summaries. This logbook can hold up to 10 years of data.
Features:
- Size: 11¼ inches by 6¾ inches
- Number of pages: 256 total pages
- Additional features: Well-made and designed to last for years; comprehensive with easy layout for professional and detailed logging; green bleed-through resistant pages; and more
Disadvantages:
- Recent publications of the logbook have been printed with white pages due to materials sourcing issues.
- Logbook is larger and heavier than some other traditional paper logbooks due to its comprehensiveness.
Price: $39.42
5 Leg Crew Logbook
Best of: Daily tracking paper logbook
The 5 Leg Crew Logbook is a pocket-sized logbook ideal for real-time flight logging. Each logbook features 200 pages with five flight logs per page, offering plenty of space for recording flight details while on the go. The vinyl cover enhances durability and protects the compact design.
Features:
- Size: 3½ inches by x 4¼ inches
- Number of pages: 200 total pages
- Additional features: Allows the user to jot down flight details during the day quickly and transfer them to the main logbook later; economical option for keeping flight records on the go; and more
Disadvantages:
- Due to the logbook’s compact size, the amount of detail that can be recorded for each flight is limited. It is, therefore, recommended not to use this logbook as the primary means of recording one’s flight time and training.
- Unlike digital logbooks, there is no automatic backup, so users could lose vital records if the logbook is lost or damaged.
Price: $8.25
Paper Logbooks: The Traditional Approach
Advantages of Paper Logbooks
- Familiar and established tradition: For many pilots, the familiarity of paper logbooks is comforting, as they have been steadfast companions throughout their aviation careers.
- Perceived simplicity and directness: Straightforward nature of recording flight details by hand can sometimes be more concise and less error-prone than digital input, where glitches or system failures occur.
- No reliance on technology: Paper logbooks require no dependence on technology, eliminating concerns related to battery life or software issues.
- Physical backup in case of system failures: Paper logbooks can be reliable backups to electronic logbooks if digital systems fail or electronic data is lost.
Disadvantages of Paper Logbooks
- Prone to human error: One major downside of paper logbooks is their susceptibility to human error, such as typos and miscalculations, which can compromise the accuracy of recorded flight hours.
- Time consuming: Manual effort required to calculate totals and track currency in a paper logbook can be time-consuming and tedious.
- Difficulty in searching and analyzing flight data: Searching and analyzing flight data within a paper logbook can be cumbersome, making it challenging for pilots to review and utilize their flight information efficiently.
- Vulnerable to loss or damage: Paper logbooks are prone to loss and damage. Losing the logbook or spilling a drink on it can cause critical flight history to be unrecoverable.
Electronic Logbooks: The Modern Solution
Advantages of Electronic Logbooks
- Enhanced accuracy: Improved accuracy of electronic logbooks through automated calculations and data entry is a significant benefit in minimizing human error while tracking flight hours.
- Improved efficiency: Electronic logbooks enhance the speed at which flight data is recorded and managed. This, in turn, reduces the time spent calculating total flight hours and conducting complex data analyses.
- Greater accessibility and portability: Electronic logbooks enable pilots to access flight records across various devices.
- Advanced features: Electronic logbooks offer advanced data analysis and reporting features that enable pilots to meet regulatory standards and keep their qualifications current.
- Integration with other aviation software and platforms: Electronic logbooks can integrate with various aviation software and platforms (e.g., flight planning tools), reducing manual data entry and ensuring all flight data information is easily accessible in one place.
- Backup and cloud storage for data security: Electronic logbooks provide secure backup and cloud storage options, ensuring data remains safe and easily retrievable during a system failure.
Disadvantages of Electronic Logbooks
- Initial investment: Upfront cost and time required to set up electronic logbooks can be substantial and demanding. This might discourage some pilots from transitioning from a paper logbook.
- Potential for technical challenges: Electronic logbooks can be prone to technical glitches, interrupting the logging process and causing inconvenience for pilots who rely on the system.
- Reliance on electronic devices: Electronic logbooks require regular access to electronic devices, creating dependency issues, particularly during extended periods of use.
- Concerns about data privacy and security: Users of electronic logbooks depend on data privacy and security to ensure that their personal and professional information is appropriately safeguarded against unauthorized access.
The Future of Pilot Logbooks
The rapid advancements in aviation technology have reimagined the use and management of pilot logbooks in recent years, gradually making paper logbooks a thing of the past for airline pilots. While paper logbooks still serve as a reliable backup to electronic records, it is time for air carrier pilots to embrace the technological trends of the aviation industry and transition to the future with electronic recordkeeping.
Inside the cockpit of WestJet’s new 787-9. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Mateen Kontoravdis)
FAQ
What is the best logbook app for pilots?
The best logbook app for pilots varies based on individual needs and preferences. LogTen Pro, for instance, is popular among airline pilots due to its comprehensive features.
Are electronic pilot logbooks legal?
Yes, electronic pilot logbooks are legal as long as they comply with the regulatory guidelines established by the relevant authorities (e.g., FAA, EASA, etc.)
Are aircraft logbooks required?
Yes, aircraft logbooks are required because they contain the official records of maintenance, inspections, repairs, and any modifications made to the aircraft.
How are pilot logbooks verified?
Every pilot is responsible for the accuracy of their logbook. Pilot logbooks are typically verified through self-auditing and cross-checking by authorities or employers.
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AirlineGeeks.com was founded in February 2013 as a one-person blog in Washington D.C. Since then, we’ve grown to have 25+ active team members scattered across the globe. We are all here for the same reason: we love deep-diving into the fascinating realm of the airline industry.
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Kasia Szwed-Carlson is an aviation industry expert with 15 years of experience working in flight operations management and training leadership roles at several US-based airlines. She is also a certified commercial pilot and instructor who is passionate about training the next generation of pilots and industry leaders.
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