Ask My Sky Mom. Aviation wit and wisdom.

Hey Mom,

I’m not saying I’ve lost it. I’m not even saying I’ve misplaced it, exactly. I’m just not totally certain of it’s precise location right now. Not that I’m worried, I’m sure it’ll show up just as soon as I start to look for it. But I’m sure it’s happened to pilots before, even if it definitely hasn’t happened to me probably. If I were to really lose my logbook, or something happened to it so that it was unreadable, what would happen?

Just Curious,

Lost Without My Log Book

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Hi, ya Loser! Am I allowed to call you that? Hm.

Anyhow, it HAS happened to pilots before. I hope you find yours because it’s going to be a bit of a hassle for you if it IS gone. Depending on how many hours you have, how long ago they were, and how good your other record keeping might be, it could turn out to be one heck of a headache indeed. If you’re a student, life is pretty good. Your flight instructor(s) are required to keep a record of what the two of you did and when in their own pilot logbook, so it’s pretty easy to use that information to reconstitute your logbook. Just buy them a beer and remember to say thank you!

If you’re past the student stage, you have your work cut out for you. Use diaries, receipts for aircraft rentals, and bank statements to pin down flight dates, places, and times. Anyone you rented an airplane from should have a record of that, though if it’s been a while, happy hunting. If you’re a pro, go get those company records. Suddenly all that paperwork they make you do starts looking pretty useful, doesn’t it? And did you know that you can use your last 87-10 form? It’s true. The 87-10 is that form you filled out last time you applied to the FAA for a certificate or a rating. Oh, and you know that spot on your medical where they ask you for your hours? They keep a record of that, too. You may write to the feds at these addresses to request copies of your records, or, go ahead and use their website to contact them. They make it easier and easier all the time.

FAA Airmen Certification Branch, AVN-46
P. O. Box 25082
Oklahoma City, OK 73125

FAA Aeromedical Certification Branch
P. O. Box 25082
Oklahoma City, OK 73125

Alrighty, then. If indeed, you’re only curious about the consequences of log book loss, lets talk about the things you can do to keep this from happening to you, shall we? Some pilots photocopy their logbooks and keep that copy in a safe place. Not a bad idea. Some pilots duplicate their logbook electronically. There are a plethora of good programs out there; in some cases you can even hire somebody to catch up on all that tedious data entry if you have so many hours that this strikes you as a daunting task! It goes without saying that you have the good sense to put your name and updated address and phone number in the front of this fairly important document, right? Of course, you did. Know, too, that you don’t need to carry it with you on every flight. That’s right. If you’re a solo student pilot, you do, but for the rest of us, carry your pilot certificate, medical, and government issued photo ID to be legit, logbook not required.

Keep it organized, people, and know your options if you do lose it,

Mom

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You’ve got questions?  I’ll find you an answer.  Email your aviation related question to mom@myskymom.com and check out myskymom.com to read the answers to questions previously posed. The more you know, the safer you’ll be.  Read on, and fly safe!

~ by myskymom on September 30, 2009.