When David Spektor took a hiatus from airline flying during the COVID pandemic, he wanted a solid mission to keep him engaged. And when he looked at the digital logbooks available, he found a lot lacking. That was the genesis of AIROS, which was launched in 2021, at first under previous brand names EZLogbook and CHRONOS.
The user interface for entry is bold and clear, and the software sequences you through the parameters of the flight, starting with the date and tail number so that (if found) it pulls the ADS-B data. For airline pilots, you can search on the flight number alternately. If the aircraft logged more than one flight that day, you select between those listed. If your flight took place outside the U.S., you will need to enter the route details manually, but this is readily accomplished—and in the future AIROS is looking to source European flight track data to make this easier. One minor note: If you’re flying an aircraft with a non-N registration, the software currently autofills an “N” in front of the country designator (for example, “NF-HGEG”). We let the folks at AIROS know, and they are working on a fix to remove the default “N” from the flight log user interface. The database already stores the correct registration, and it will show up that way in an export.
You can modify the total time and detail what kind of time (PIC, dual received or given) the flight contained, and then add in intermediate stops if they weren’t tracked adequately, plus add approaches and notes on the flight. Night and cross-country time are automatically calculated from the route and time of day, since the system can “see” when you entered and/or exited civil twilight, and if your route meets the parameters for XC time.
In the final stage, you can add photos of the flight, replay the flight track, and request a signature from an instructor for dual received or any endorsements. Those endorsements go into a library through which you can access them based on certificate requirements and recency of experience, such as flight reviews. There’s even a way to enter a custom endorsement, for that time you checked out in an L-39 or some such fun.
Viewing the logbook section, your total time shows in a dashboard style presentation, and you can call up a flight map to look at the virtual pins placing your flights on each location. If you import a previous digital logbook, an audit function puts your entries through the Part 61.51 compliance check that AIROS uses to validate new entries, as well as searching for duplicates. You can enter your most commonly flown aircraft and pilot certificates in the profile section, along with managing preferences such as how you usually characterize flight time. AIROS is cloud-based so you can access the logbook anywhere, at any time, using iOS, Android, or web-based devices.
AIROS Premium runs for $169 per year and includes the intelligent flight verification, 3D flight paths, and Hobbs and ACARS conversions to help calculate time correctly. A referral program adds up: $25 for each new pilot you bring into the AIROSphere.
My first question, when examining any prospective e logbook, is “How much space is there for comments”. For the ones I’ve seen, the answer has been “not much”. As a CFI, my comments are voluminous – way more space that can fit in any paper logbook, which is then emailed to the student.
My current e logbook, Flight Level Software, is old and no longer supported. I keep a 16 bit machine around just for that. My lesson comments often run several paragraphs and that that presents no problem for this program. I know that I can use something like Virtualbox to get it to run on modern machines but just have not pulled that trigger yet.
I just use a spreadsheet program that reflects the structure of my paper logbook, which I still maintain.
Yes, that would work. Question: how flexible is that? With Flight Level software I can track time in each type of aircraft, each aircraft type (tail wheel, single or muli engine, etc [yes, I fly power too], total time in all aircraft, number of take offs and landings within any time frame, and more, all with the push of a button – never more than 2 buttons.
As an aside, the glider world may be different – at least in clubs – which far out number commercial operations. My club, The Greater Boston Soaring Club (soargbsc.net) assigns a different instructor each operational day. We have an in-house program that not only sends email to the student but also to all other club instructors (about 12). This gives the instructor of the day the opportunity to review, in detail, the student’s previous work.
Come and get your engine restriction removed (need a smiley here).
I track time in each aircraft, I know tail wheel (in the thousands), I have columns for ASEL, AMEL, Glider, Tow Pilot, Glider Demo flight, Gyroplane, PIC, Solo, Dual, Actual Instrument, Simulated Instrument, etc. I have most columns hidden (a spreadsheet capability), as I don’t fly dual, instrument, night, etc., any more.
I also have spreadsheets for calculating weight and balance for each aircraft that I’ve owned or currently fly. Sure the purchased logbooks can do some things that mine don’t do, but those are things that I don’t need as my professional flying days are over and I’m winding down on my private flying. It’s been a great ride!
If you want any of my spreadsheets, I can send empty copies with columns and calculations in place. Just send me your email in a response to this message.
Thanks, Dan. I’d love to give it a try. w1dys at arrl.net.
Tony
PM with attachment sent.
$169/year?! Are you kidding? No thanks. I’ll keep manually entering flights into the logbook software that I paid for — once — 15 years ago. The subscription economy is completely out of control.
Which logbook software?