Best Pilot Logbook for Student Aviators

Quicklook: 7 Top Student Pilot Logbooks

• Best for ease of use: Pilot’s Flight Logbook and Record
• Best for durability: Jeppesen Student Pilot Logbook
• Best for comprehensiveness: Jeppesen Professional Pilot Logbook
• Best for FAA compliance: The Standard Pilot Log (Black): ASA-SP-30
• Best for cost effectiveness: The Pilot Logbook
• Best for compact size: Miniature Flight Logbook
• Best for digital format: ForeFlight Logbook

Best Pilot Logbook Options for Beginners

Pilot’s Flight Logbook and Record

• Size: 9” x 4 ¾”
• Number of pages: 112 total pages, including 49 flight log spreads (98 pages), eight instructor endorsement pages, three ruled memoranda pages, and one page for medicals, flight reviews, instrument proficiency, and more
• Additional features: Premium grade, mint green ledger paper; each flight log spread includes 28 columns, six of which are blank; personalization service is available

• The personalization service costs an addition $12.95, and many reviews complain about the poor quality of the added service for the cost
• The logbook binding has been reported to be of questionable quality

Jeppesen Student Pilot Logbook

• Size: 8” x 5 ¼”
• Number of pages: 96 total pages
• Additional features: Space for 520 flight entries; green bleed-through resistant pages; bound with high-quality, scuff-resistant cover

• Recent publications of the logbook have been printed with white pages due to materials sourcing issues
• While the logbook is suitable for student pilots, the limited space may become a limitation with additional licenses and ratings

Jeppesen Professional Pilot Logbook

• Size: 11 ¼ x 6 ¾
• Number of pages: 256 total pages
• Additional features: Well-made and designed to last for years; comprehensive with easy layout for professional and detailed logging; green bleed-through resistant pages

• Recent publications of the logbook have been printed with white pages due to materials sourcing issues
• The logbook is larger and heavier than some other logbooks due to its comprehensiveness

The Standard Pilot Log (Black): ASA-SP-30

• Size: 7 ¾” x 4”
• Number of pages: 104 total pages
• Additional features: Compact size; includes all necessary instructor endorsements; each page contains a running total for easy flight log tracking

• The compact size of the logbook offers fewer pages and less room for detailed note-taking
• The ASA pages are white and have been reported to be thin, so users need to be careful with the pen they use to avoid bleed-through

The Pilot Logbook

• Size: 8” x 4 ½”
• Number of pages: 96 total pages
• Additional features: Aviation green paper deflects glare and resists bleed-through; archival-quality, acid-free paper helps preserve entries; elastic band placeholder keeps logbook closed; classic stitch binding; durable hardcover

• Customers have reported a non-standard logbook entry and page layout, making it inconvenient for some users
• The simplicity of the logbook hardly allows for a student to utilize it beyond obtaining a private pilot’s license

Miniature Flight Logbook

• Size: 3 ½" x 4 ¼"
• Number of pages: 60 total pages
• Additional features: Allows user to quickly jot down flight details during the day and transfer them to the main logbook later; an economical option for keeping flight records

• Due to the logbook’s compact size, there are limitations on the amount of detail that can be recorded for each flight. It is, therefore, recommended not to use this logbook as one’s primary means of recording one’s flight time/training
• The spiral binding does not allow the log entry lines to line up perfectly

ForeFlight Logbook

• Size: Can be viewed on any Apple iOS device via the ForeFlight app
• Number of pages: Unlimited
• Additional features: Automatically flags any missing aircraft profile details to ensure accurate tracking; all data is protected in ForeFlight’s secure cloud storage; allows for bulk import of existing flight time and export of full logbook data at any time; available on Apple iOS devices

• The logbook is only available with a ForeFlight subscription and not as a stand-alone feature
• Traditional ink and paper logbooks may still be more universally accepted for flight time/training recordkeeping

Key Features to Look for in Flight Logbooks

• Comprehensive information: A logbook should include essential details as required by Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 61.51. Information such as date, aircraft type, total flight time, and conditions of flight (e.g., day/night, VFR/IFR) should be recorded after each flight.
• Customization: A logbook should allow enough flexibility to tailor it to each pilot’s needs. For a student pilot, the logbook should allow them to track dual time received, progress towards certificates, and instructor endorsements.
• Accuracy: A logbook is essentially a legal document; therefore, pilots must ensure it is legible, organized, signed, and totaled correctly. Mistakes can lead to complications regarding inspections and job opportunities as pilots progress in their flying journey.
• Organization: Whether paper or digital, a well-organized logbook makes data entry and retrieval efficient. Digital logbooks often offer search and filter functions.
• Legibility: If using a paper logbook, pilots should choose one with clear columns and ample space for writing. For digital logbooks, readability on various devices is crucial.
• Trusted source: Companies like Sporty’s and ASA have been around for years offering pilot resources like online ground schools and pilot books for decades. Using such trusted suppliers for your logbook can ensure a high quality, FAA-compliant product.
• Backup and security: Digital logbooks should have reliable backup options (i.e., cloud storage) to prevent data loss. In addition, it is important to find a good electronic program to log flight times alongside a paper pilot log early on. This technique saves pilots countless hours later in their careers.

Take Flight with the Best Logbook for Student Pilots

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