Bellanca

I wouldn't get a new logbook unless yours is one of those small logbooks with not enough columns and you are looking for something with blank columns so you can log other kinds of time like turbine, complex, high perf, point to point xc vs 50nm XC, etc.

Also, now would be a good time to start an electronic logbook before you get too many more hours. I'd still keep a paper one, but the electronic logs are handy for totalling times, crosschecking your math, and a good backup.

As others have said, don't carry your logbook with you.

I've seen other instructors buy those small $8ish logbooks that they carry on them and then copy their hours into their real logbook after they complete a couple pages. A lot of others use some app on their smartphone to log time. Some keep their logbooks at the school and make entries as they happen.

I personally write down my time on my desk top calendar in my office with the tail #, time, and anything special like night, xc, etc. I enter it into my real logbook at least once a week. Once I complete and total a page in my logbook I take a photo of it and email it to myself as a backup. It would be an extremely unlucky day if Google's Gmail server gets dumped AND I lose my real logbook at the same time. It's probably not the best system but its been working for now, and I've been meaning to get my electronic logbook going before I get too many more entries to make.

CFIAerobatics

I dont even keep a paper logbook anymore. I use logbook pro. I can update my logbook from my Iphone after each flight. For interviews I just have it professionally printed and bound. I have never had a complaint about bring a printed out logbook to an interview either.

Der Meister

I keep my electronic log book up to date every day I fly (I use one of the excel spread sheets from this site). I only input my times into my paper log book about once every month or so. I keep a Separate log of logbook endorsements separate to my log book as you only need to keep them 3 year (per FAR's).

pokey9554

For CFI renewal purposes, a simple pad of paper will do. If you just want to keep general records, I would use a separate pad of paper. As you progress in your career, these records will become less meaningful. I wouldn't spend the money on a book, but I'm a cheapskate.

atlmsl

I bought a 10 year professional logbook once I passed my CFI. So now I have a training logbook and a professional logbook. It works for me.

Planespotta

Best logbook for the CFI is the ASA SP-6...plenty of empty columns that you can fill in with whatever you want. I leave mine at home and put totals into the calendar on my phone (1.2, N12345, 1 landing, .7 night, etc.).

How much for a cheap fire/waterproof safe guys?

Can't believe nobody has mentioned www.flightlogg.in. It's free, maps all of your flights for you on google earth (pretty cool), can calculate any totals you want, does your 8710 for you, shows all your currency information, oh and did I mention it's free? I get a backup spreadsheet of all my entries emailed to me after each update so that if the site goes south I have all my information electronically.

2xAGM114

What everybody else said +

I'm on logbook #6. Not the big Encyclopedia Britannica edition with pages lined with gold but the little Jeppesen deal with the green pages. Fill the one you have then swap. Maybe photograph the last page and keep that photo on a hard drive somewhere. Also, I write "Reward if found" in each one inside the front cover and keep the phone number or address current. If somehow it gets lost or stolen, a crook is likely going to toss it. Whomever finds it may call you. To them it's worth nothing. To you, it's worth everything you've worked so hard for the last few years.

stealth114

Im in the same situation... Before my hours start to really add up, should I get the log book pro app and simply continue from where I left off in my hardcopy log book or shall I also transcribe all those entries to the software version too ? Cheers

morerightrudder

Great suggestions in this thread. I'd also add:

There's a good excel logbook template in the downloads section of this web site. Save the file in Dropbox so it's automatically backed up "in the cloud". It's not Logbook Pro, but the price is right.

In addition to keeping the old logbook in a safe place, I also xeroxed it and keep a copy at my parents house. That way I have a paper backup in a remote location.

Std Deviation

I've carried a steno pad for the last 18 years of instructing. That steno serves as my record keeping for the FAA requirement (when they get full I file them - yeah, although it says three years, I have retained them since 1991 (maybe sentimental, who knows)). In addition to just the time I record my notes on that student ("high on approach, slow on final, etc.). I also record weather conditions and other pertinent variables (VOR check anyone? Is the flight school doing it, maybe or maybe not).

Your logbook will tell you the who, what, when. I want the bigger picture. After a week worth of instructing I would transfer to my official logbook. I keep the current logbook in a fire safe in the house. The rest are in a safe deposit box at the bank.