Choosing a digital logbook
| 6 minutes read, 1185 wordsLike many others I log all my flights in my physical logbook. But I wanted to add more data than what my physical logbook could handle, and I like the idea of having a backup of it.
I use a basic Excel JAR-FCL Pilot logbook from Sola Flyklubb as a digital backup, but that is simply a digital paper copy, and doesn’t add much other value than helping me with the calculations. So I started looking for a digital logbook, with the intention to still keep my physical logbook as the primary.
My requirements
Since I still wanted to keep my physical logbook, and use that for endorsements, etc., I didn’t have to think about how to handle that part of this, or the legality of the digital logbook. That being said, most of the options I tested, has endorsement features, and are perfectly legal to use.
What I wanted:
- Easy to use, yet powerful in number of data fields and customization (including passenger tracking and custom data fields)
- Currency tracking
- License expiration tracking
- Totals and statistics
- Available on all platforms (web, PC, phone)
- Tailored for EASA rules, not only for FAA
- Support gliders, and whatever I might want to fly in the future
- The option to import my existing logbook (which I had a copy of in Excel)
- Backup and export of data to other applications (to avoid vendor lock-in, and to be able to use the data for other fun things)
- Reasonable pricing
- Feature to upload tracklog from SkyDemon (.gpx file)
I wanted more than just a digital copy of my physical logbook.
Safelog
None of the logbooks I tested could give me everything I wanted. But the one that is closest, is Safelog. Except for the lack of GPX upload (which I can do in Flightbook) and the lack of tracking for the flight time required for EASA class rating renewal, it ticks most of the other boxes. The user interface is a bit dated, but it is very functional and surprisingly fast and easy to use. The more I use it, the more I like it.
Safelog statistics
The deciding factor was the ability to customize everything to match almost exactly what I want. No assumptions are made for me, and I can add whatever I want to my logs. I like adding as much data as possible, since it’s a lot harder to add at a later stage.
Safelog was the only logbook that allowed me to add every single license, endorsement, stage check, exam, access card, or anything else that has a expiration date. The dashboard, which is available in the mobile apps as well, give me a quick and easy overview of my current status and days remaining until expiration - including my 3 landings last 90 days passenger requirement.
Safelog also has a nice calendar feature, where you can see both logged flights, scheduled flights, career milestones (skill tests, license expiration, etc), and medical certificates.
Safelog calendar
| Pricing | $49.99 yearly / $109.99 3-year subscription / $159.99 5-year subscription / $279.99 10-year subscription / $399.99 lifetime |
| Demo/trial | Yes |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, Windows, Mac |
By using my referral link both you and I get a bonus extension to our subscription.
The other options
Most of the logbooks, except from Foreflight, had generous demo/trial options. Most of them offer x number of days for free to test, some offer the first x hours logged for free.
Capzlog.aero
Added June 26th 2022
| Pricing | $39 for three months / $118 yearly / $275 for three years |
| Demo/trial | 30 days |
| Platforms | Web (iOS and Android in development) |
This is one of the most feature rich EASA-tailored logbooks I’ve tested. They also pride themselves in being formally approved by one of the EASA member states.
This approval however also means that they have strict data entry rules that made it impossible for me to use this logbook.
This is the only digital logbook I’ve tested that has full support for pilots holding multiple certificates, like PPL and SPL.
Logbook.aero
| Pricing | £3 monthly / £30 yearly |
| Demo/trial | 14 days |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android |
Logbook.aero is the only logbook I tested that had both excellent support, a modern user interface, and fully EASA tailored currency tracking. The option to upload tracklogs (GPX) from SkyDemon was a huge plus.
But the limited input fields and lack of customization, and the limited mobile apps, made this less than optimal for me.
I really liked Logbook.aero, and encourage you to give it a try to see if it might be good enough for you!
MyFlightbook
| Pricing | Free |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android |
I like this one a lot, there are some really nice features, and the price is hard to beat. But there is no custom tracking of licenses and currency, only some predefined based on FAA rules. This alone disqualified MyFlightbook.
Excel Pilot Logbook
EASA Europe Excel Pilot Logbook
| Pricing | $45 one-time fee |
| Demo/trial | Not available |
| Platforms | Any platform where you can access Excel, Numbers, Google Sheets, OpenOffice or LibreOffice |
This is mostly a digital version of a paper logbook, but it does actually meet some of my requirements. Compared to other digital logbooks, this one has the advantage of letting you own your logbook 100% yourself. And you can edit it as much as you want. But you are also 100% responsible for making it available on all of your devices and maintaining your own backup.
FLYLOG.io
| Pricing | €2.99 monthly (basic), €6.99 montly (premium) |
| Demo/trial | Yes |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android |
This app has the most modern user interface, and is visually pleasing. But the lack of customization and the assumptions made in the system/interface made this less than optimal for me.
CrewLounge PILOTLOG
| Pricing | €2.99 monthly (enterprise), €3.50 monthly (enterprise+) |
| Demo/trial | First 100 flight records are free |
| Platforms | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android |
A very powerful logbook, but the lack of a web version and the complex interface made this less than optimal for me. This logbook is probably much better for airline pilots than it is for GA pilots.
Pilot Partner
Pilot Partner Electronic Pilot Logbook App
| Pricing | $29.95 annual subscription, $54.95 2-year subscription, $245 lifetime subscription |
| Demo/trial | 60 days |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android |
Powerful logbook, with very outdated interface. Highly tailored to FAA rules, which made it useless for me. Support also fails to honor delete request, which violates the GDPR right to be forgotten.
ForeFlight
| Pricing | $99.99 per year |
| Demo/trial | Not available |
| Platforms | iOS, Web |
I really wanted to try this one, as people seem to be happy with it. But there’s no trial version available, and $99.99 is too expensive just to test this. I have tested ForeFlight, but found it way too cluttered and at the same time lacking the information I want for VFR in Europe.
My tips for using a digital logbook
- Add as much data as possible
- But utilize features in the logbook
- Don’t repeat data unnecessary
- Data about the airplane belong on the airplane object, not on each log entry
- Store backups
- Use export features to store data on your own devices/secure storage