Is it a big deal to have lost my log book for future jobs? 3600TT and flying part 91, want to go 121.
Posted by MapDisastrous7602@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 40 comments
I have my 8710 from my type rating this year and also what I submitted to the insurance agency for the plane I fly. Do I just start a new logbook with those times referenced? Is it a prohibitive issue down the road?
jaylowgee@reddit
For anyone else reading this. Go digital asap. The pain of converting your logs only gets worse the longer you wait.
AnnualWhole4457@reddit
Doing this to five logbooks and 3,000hrs right now. About to test the spin recovery of this Beechliner.
Field_Sweeper@reddit
Man, I'd just hire someone to do that, fuuuuck that.
kent814@reddit
Or even better, go both. All it takes is one hacker to ruin everything digital
bdc41@reddit
Backup, backup, backup!
luckeycat@reddit
Some countries still require a physical logbook, but a digital copy or spreadsheet is still a good idea to shadow it if nothing else.
Traditional_Show7204@reddit
gotta use foreflight as the backup logbook
PhillyPilot@reddit
Electronic logbooks ftw
Hawker96@reddit
Get a certified copy of your complete airmen’s file from the FAA. It will have tons of stuff, including every 8710 you’ve ever submitted. Take those, put them in a professional binder and label them according to checkride. Hopefully you filled out times on them (even just total). This sort of “rebuilds” the credible training logbook and progression of checking events. And of course be ready to explain the missing book. But as long as you can show them essentially the same information they’re looking for from a logbook (checkride dates, pass/fail, times), plus that extra effort to make it all presentable up front, I’d say you have a decent shot at coming out ahead when all is said and done. Think of it as an opportunity to score bonus points right off the bat.
theogmichaelscott@reddit
This is the best advice. Had to do something similar for my CFI checkride after my bag with my logbook in it got stolen out of my car.
otterbarks@reddit
This is also a good reminder that it's good practice to submit a new Form 8710-1 in IACRA every time you do a BFR or IPC. If you lose your logbook, the last 8710-1 you submit counts as an official record of your hours.
See AC 61-98E:
https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_61-98E.pdf
SubarcticFarmer@reddit
This right here. I've been fortunate to never be in this position but I know people who have. One has his logbook in an aircraft that ended up ditching in a lake.
Your certificates help and, while you will have discussions at an interview and this will be annoying, this will not stop you from getting hired.
Slightly_Moist_Toast@reddit
Just a question to piggyback on this. If you both a paper and digital logbook (ForeFlight in this case). Say I lost the paper, does my ForeFlight count for anything credible or is it useless?
MacAttack0711@reddit
As others have mentioned it’s not the end of the world but archived 8710s will be your best friend.
I keep a paper log book, scanned copies of said paper log book (every 3 months I scan any new pages and catalog it chronologically as a new document), and I have everything backed up on ForeFlight as well, who sends me a spreadsheet copy to my email which I archive in a separate folder. Talk about redundancy.
SnooCupcakes1514@reddit
All the airlines have explicit directions for this when you interview. I threw out my first logbook over a decade ago as I had no intention of flying again. Following the individual airlines guidance (printed out 8710s and some other easy stuff), I have been through 3 airline interviews and hired by 2 with no significant questions about my missing logbook.
skywagonman@reddit
Talk to Trish at Prosoft binders. They’ll help you with an affidavit for the missing logs. You’ll be fine.
brongchong@reddit
Meh, once you’re at your end-game job, you can quit logging detailed time.
I save 1 printout a year now with my annual ours. I log bug smasher time for insurance purposes only.
Heel-Judder@reddit
Let's see...if I'm an interviewer and I asked everyone to bring their original logbooks... who do you think I'm going to hire? Someone who brought all their logbooks, or you, who brought an insurance form?
MapDisastrous7602@reddit (OP)
Thankfully it’s not my main job, bummer it’s a career ender.
Heel-Judder@reddit
I never said it's a career ender. I said you need to show up with logbooks. Rebuild them to the best of your ability.
MapDisastrous7602@reddit (OP)
I think you were right the first time, somethings arent meant to be. I wouldn’t hire me now, I was hoping after a few more years it would be less painful but my heart sank when I couldn’t find it after we moved. Hope it turns up, thanks for the feedback.
zero_xmas_valentine@reddit
The dude who's riding you has been banned from this subreddit on over 100 different accounts for repeatedly being an ass. Don't listen to him. Showing up with rebuilt logbooks is not a show stopper if you have an easy explanation and a solid/reliable record.
rkba260@reddit
Guy/gal, you passed the requisite checkrides to get where you're at now. Does your company keep track of flight time? Can you get copies of this? If nothing else, you can request certified copies of your ratings from the FAA.
Don't count yourself out. It may not be as easy as someone with their logbooks in hand, but you have verifiable experience that is definitely worth something.
And like you said, you have your total time from your last 8710.
Don't be so easily defeated!
Weasel474@reddit
Dude. Let the airlines tell you no, don’t do it yourself. You’re not gonna get anywhere if you don’t at least try.
Do your best to recreate as accurately as possible, get all rides and busts certified, be able to explain what happened, and go digital ASAP, and just keep trying.
Rainebowraine123@reddit
Don't let this stop you if you want to do this. Like others have said, recreate it to the best of your ability and go digital.
usmcmech@reddit
It’s not these guys don’t know what the hell they are talking about.
Lots of pilots have lost logbooks.
jaylowgee@reddit
Good thing you’re not an interviewer
adamwl_52@reddit
Why do you get off on being such a dick?
conodeuce@reddit
A good reminder to take out one’s smartphone and grab pictures of your logbook ASAP.
saml01@reddit
And upload them to whatever EFB you use.
casualdogiscasual@reddit
Sorry man, you’ll have to transfer all those hours to me and restart as a cfi again
CaptainWaders@reddit
Buy LogTenPro and never look back.
Boeinggoing737@reddit
I would try to rebuild the logbook as best you can with as many supporting documents as possible. Police reports or an explanation for why they are missing. Find your old cfi’s and get as many signatures as possible. Your faa file will have your checkrides, training folders from 141, even receipts for flight time. It’s up to you to prove your competence here.
You will be at a disadvantage initially but getting hired at any 121 will be a huge leap forward in your credibility. The background check, passing training, and successfully flying the line will put a bad log book behind you. I would caution you that if a legacy or legit great job is anywhere in your future it 100% will come up in the interview and interview prep companies can help with a reasonable explanation. A “I worked extremely hard to recreate my lost logbook with as many of my old instructors/examiners/coworkers as possible” is a lot better than an 8710 proving you had the minimums for the checkride. You want to fill in the blanks as much as possible.
TemporaryAmbassador1@reddit
How you lost them matters, if there was a theft or fire you need official reports brought to the interview, you’re not the first and people have been hired with lost logs before.
Taterdots@reddit
I'd try and rebuild as best you can starting with checkride dates and important milestones if you can remember them. 3600 hours is a huge amount to omit from any logbook. Maybe after a year or 2 of keeping a new one you can explain what happened but it's a longshot. Do yourself a favor and go digital.
RobertWilliamBarker@reddit
🙄🙄 I really don't want to be any near another pilot in any capacity if you don't know the answer to this.
Heel-Judder@reddit
Oh yeah? And what would that answer be?
MapDisastrous7602@reddit (OP)
My lack of airline interview knowledge has nothing to do with proficiency or currency in the airplanes I fly.
RGN_Preacher@reddit
Truly fair point. If more airline’s did sim evals it would truly show who has the shit they need to fly and who doesn’t / pencil whipped.
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
I have my 8710 from my type rating this year and also what I submitted to the insurance agency for the plane I fly. Do I just start a new logbook with those times referenced? Is it a prohibitive issue down the road?
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