Pilot Logbook in the Cloud

Ever since I earned my Private Pilot License, I have been using my Sportys Pilot Logbook that I bought on the same day I finished my introductory flight. I didn't really think about it until the other day; what if I lost my logbook? How do I get back all of my flight logs? Apparently, this is not really a new question. The short answer is, you can't. But you do have some options.

  1. Check with your flight instructors. Hopefully they keep good records of your flights.
  2. Check with your flight school or flight club.
  3. FAA Form 8710. Hopefully you filled this out and duplicated your logbook at the time of your check ride.

After doing some searching, there are a few useful solutions:

  1. Keep your logbook at home. Carry a smaller version to log time after flights.
  2. Make photo copies of your logbook periodically and store in a safe location.
  3. Scan and backup electronically.
  4. Use logbook software.

I decided that I would use Google Drive (and Google Spreadsheets) to develop an cloud-based logbook myself. There were a few pros to this approach:

  1. I could view and updated my logbook from anywhere (on any device). I have an iPhone and iPad that I use for flying anyway.
  2. I could share in real-time with my instructor (or anyone with a Google Account).
  3. I could easily total my time and landings in different aircraft and by category (this is really useful for insurance applications).
  4. I could easily filter to limit the log view.
Screen shot 2013-08-10 at 10.15.14 AM
Screen shot 2013-08-10 at 10.15.14 AM

By using Google Drive and Google Spreadsheets for my logbook, I can now make log entries from the plane and not worry about losing my logs. Now I simply sit down and transfer the electronic logs to my paper logbook when I have time. There are many possibilities here with Google Apps Script and integrations with other apps like Google Maps.

For those interested in making a copy of my Pilot Logbook Template, please feel free. Sorry, I don't have an Excel version, but you can always download as XLS.

App Update

After months using the iPad on flights, I decided to try using the iPad full-time. The November release of iOS 4.2 brought multitasking which allowed me to launch apps (like AvCharts and Penultimate) and switch between the 2 without worry of losing where I left off. Penultimate is perfect for clearance and in-flight notes.  You can add new pages, clear pages instantly, undo/redo, erase, etc... There is wrist protection built in and you can even send a page (or entire notebook) to email.  This is perfect for me since I usually write all of my flight details on scrap paper and have to transfer the detail in my logbook. Now, I just send to email which logs the date and all of my flight detail like destinations, landings, flight time, etc...

AvCharts has been out a while, but the ability to save and update hi-res charts is perfect for the iPad.

iPad 3G GPS and ForeFlight

ForeFlight released their moving map and heads-up display today. New in ForeFlight Mobile HD 3.5.1

  • Moving-map, heads up display for iPad with groundspeed, track, altitude, and GPS accuracy

  • Locator icon changes to an aircraft when track available

  • Navlog overlaid on map with ETE, fuel, distance, and headwind component

  • One tap to file a flight plan, look up ATC routes, or reverse the route

  • Favorite routes and recent routes

  • Animated radar and satellite for iPad

  • Visible+infrared composite satellite

  • Airport-level radar and satellite (see cells on or around the airport)

  • Flight plan filing and briefing on the iPad

  • Enter lat/lon values on routes like 32.3N/82.2W

  • Full iPhone OS 4 compatability

Great beta test by ForeFlight co-founder/developer Jason Miller.  Good to see the iPad doesn't implode over 10,000ft.

Aviation Apps and iPad

As a private pilot, I've been using an iPod Touch to run apps for flying starting in 2009.  I have been extremely pleased with the performance and functionality of the iPod Touch, but for me there was only one problem; the display is too small. As soon as I heard about iPad, I knew that I could not wait to get one just to run ForeFlight.  I pre-ordered a 16GB WiFi Apple iPad which arrived April 7, 2010.  I've been using the iPad now for a couple months and have found it to function as promised (in fact, just like a big iPod Touch.)

ForeFlight Mobile 3 HD is the most comprehensive aviation app available right now.  Get aviation weather, AF/D & flight plan filing with maps, TFRs, TAFs and METARs.  At $74.99/year (the most expensive app I have purchased)... it is well worth it.

You can save AF/D and plates/procedures based on location and ForeFlight will notify you when they have expired.  This is an important for me since I have the WiFi version of the iPad which can only be updated when connected to a WiFi internet connection.

With the launch of the iPad 3G, you can now access real-time data when connected to AT&T 3G data network.  I think this would be very helpful for sitting in the plane to check weather, otherwise ForeFlight will let you download entire states to your iPad in the event you cannot connect.

ForeFlight on iTunes

For only $2.99, AvCharts is a newer app that will let you save US approach plates, airport diagrams, STARs, and SIDs.  AvCharts even has a "draw mode" so you can take notes on charts.  AvCharts claims to update 1 day before their expiration.

AvCharts on iTunes

Manhattan Aerial

Flew into KLGA (La Guardia) for work and got a good view of the Hudson River, the Statue of Liberty and Lower Manhattan.  Thought I would share.  Maybe one day I'll fly myself. 

Flying DNA

My grandfather, Ray Calvin Murray.  I never met him, but I think I found where my flying interest came from.  Makes me appreciate the technology even more.  I wish I knew more about him.