It is free, easy to use, and very comprehensive. I've been using for a couple of years now. If something seemed suspicious then I assume they would investigate and ask some questions.
My personal experience so far has been that DPEs have no problem with accepting electronic logbook printouts and endorsements. Is compliant here), the FAA has thus far not indicated willingness toĮven evaluate, much less certify, online logbook systems for Is compliant with this AC (and we explain why we believe MyFlightbook
The FAA does accept digital signatures, and outlines the criteria forĭoing so in FAA circular AC No: 120-78A. I use MyFlightbook for logging (no other connection and I'm not endorsing it) and their FAQ addresses whether electronic signatures are valid (links not preserved from the original): If you then want to go digital and shred the paper, you can always scan it and add it to your electronic logbook as per AC 120-78.īut, if you want an electronic endorsement or signature and your CFI is willing to provide it, that's also fine. In the end, the simplest solution is often to just to get a physical signature on a piece of paper with all the necessary information as per AC 61-65E. And how do get his endorsement when you're at that grass strip in the middle of nowhere with no cell signal or WiFi? How do you explain AC 120-78 to a skeptical DPE or FBO owner who's never heard of it before?
If you demand that your CFI creates an account in your logbook software, or generates his own digital certificate, or whatever else will make your electronic life easy, he may simply refuse. However, there's also the practical question of how you collect endorsements. He or she affixed a signature to a specific record, record entry, or That's a very broad definition of an electronic signature, although it seems clear that the FAA wants it to be "individual" and non-repudiation is a requirement:Īn electronic signature should prevent a signatory from denying that Any other unique form of individual identification that can be used as a means of authenticating a record, record entry, or.Fortunately the FAA has an entire AC (AC 120-78) on electronic signatures that applies to part 61 and it says:Īn electronic signature may be in the following forms. But you might start questioning what a "signature" really is and if you can substitute something else. So it's clear that you need a "signature" from your instructor and for most people that means paper. (CGI) certificate number, and certificate expiration date, if Legible and include the instructor's signature, date of signature,Ĭertificated flight instructor (CFI) or certificated ground instructor Requirements for pilot operating privileges. The following examples are recommended sample endorsements for use byĪuthorized instructors when endorsing logbooks for airmen applying forĪ knowledge or practical test, or when certifying accomplishment of However, I suspect that the main question you're asking is, how can I gather endorsements in an electronic logbook? AC 61-65E is essentially the FAA's practical guide to 14 CFR 61, and Appendix 1 lists recommended sample endorsements, with this comment: And clearly electronic logbooks are "legal" in the sense that there's no law against using them. Short answer: an electronic logbook is legal the FAA will accept almost anything as an endorsement it's often most practical to collect endorsements on paper but electronic versions are also fine.įirst, the fundamental point about logbook formats is that the FAA defines what you have to log ( 14 CFR 61.51), but not how you log it.