Hey guys, I just have a quick question. My first logbook (roughly my first 40 hours) is an absolute mess. It has different colored inks, some whiteout (a big no-no, which I would not realize until a couple years later), and is just generally sloppy. I stopped using that log book and bought a newer one which I have kept in considerably better shape. My question is, by the time I am applying for flying jobs (CFI then part 135 or 121 later down the road) will the mess in my first logbook even matter anymore? I maintain all my records electronically as well if that makes any difference.

Thanks in advance.

 

If you really feel like it, re-log your first 40 hours (minus the signatures I suppose) and keep it as backup just incase any future employer wants clarification. But we've all flown with the one instructor that really should've been a doctor instead and trashed our logbooks... Once you apply as a CFI, and especially in 135 or 121, it's not going to matter what your private flying hours looked like. They're going to want to see your commercial hours etc... That's of course if you haven't moved to electronic logbooks at that point. Here's a hint, it sucks converting paper to electronic at 5,000 hours, so get a head start! My last airline interview (whom I'm currently employed with) only looked at the printed (professionally, kinda) version of my logbook. Some might want to see the originals, but I wouldn't sweat the condition of how your first 40 hours looked.

 

Wont be an issue. Still bring it to any interview and just explain your experience that you recognized it shouldn't look like that and got a new one. My first logbook sounds similar to yours and was not an issue in any cfi/135/121 interview.

I don't keep an elctronic log, someone else should be able to shed light in that area

 

I keep paper and electronic. I heard my CFI bemoaning the chore of transferring 700 hours to his electronic copy , so I figured I may as well get it done early. Thanks for the quick replies guys. Though mostly it was me rushing to add my totals and messing them up (I now do them in pencil first!)

 

Yeah, it will not matter. Make sure your new one is nice, try to use the same pen, and you'll be fine. Personally, I highly recommend an erasable pen.

 

I just got hired at United. All of my military and 121 time was in electronic format. I brought my messy, water-stained first logbook and mil records as my "originals" and everything else was purely e-logged. Never a question...