CFI signature required?
 

I am finally going to pull the trigger on an electronic log book. I do not intend to keep a paper log book because I think that sort of defeats the purpose of the electronic one.

Anyway what about all of the CFI signatures for flight training? I know I need to keep/have the endorsments and also the sign offs for taking different tests and check rides. But what about where the CFI signs in the remarks section after a training flight? Do I need those after I have the actual ticket that the training was for? Are those signatures needed at all? If you have to have them what are other people doing when they have only an electronic log book?

I went by Log10 Pro's booth at some conference a few months back and they have a way to make signatures for endorsements via ipad or iphone for their logbook.

Not sure what the FAA thinks about that, but it would be something to look into, and get the opinion of someone more official.

You must keep your old paper logbooks if you are a professional pilot...potential employers will want to see those anyway.

If you are still getting ratings or training, just have the CFI make entries and endorsements in your last paper logbook, that way they are all in one place.

But if it came down to it, you could have a CFI just write it on a piece of paper and save it in a file. Nothing says it has to be in a bound logbook that you bought from Sporty's.

Most of the people I talk to on here and other places say they just print out their electronic log book and take that to the interview.

Most people I know will take a printed copy of the electronic logbook but also bring their paper logbooks if there are any questions. I definitely wouldn't get rid of the paper logbook you already have.

And if you still are in the training phase of your career, I'd keep a paper logbook. Once you hit 500 hours or so, or you've picked up all of your tickets and endorsements, then I suppose you could go all electronic. But is it really that hard to do both until you have at least your ATP? So there isn't any doubt from a examiner/FSDO... I'd play it safe.

It would depend...some airlines want ALL logbooks and endorsements back to day one.

I might be OK with all-electronic for a military guy or regional captain, those are pretty much known quantities. But at the entry level they are looking to weed-out the pencil-whippers and it's a lot easier to do that with paper logs.

I will no doubt keep my original paper logs. I am just where you say. 500+ hours with both of my commercial ratings. It just doesn't make sence to keep 2 books. If I need to back my electronic one up with paper then there isn't much need for electronic. That is what has kept me from making the jump so far.

I think that if someone was inclined to pad thier book, it wouldn't matter if it was electronic or paper. My guess is that it isn't the training flights that the CFI's sign off on where the pencil gets fat it is all of the rest and then it is just someone's word whichever media they keep thier log on.

I think an electronic log will be accepted by almost every airline soon enough. I know a few guys that have started with an electronic one from day one and they have had no issues yet. They also aren't interviewing at DAL either FWIW. So many people aren't using paper anymore and it will only keep increasing as time goes on. I wouldn't throw out my paper logs that you have but you don't have to keep writing in it if in the future you switch to all electronic. Electronic logs are so much more accurate records than paper ones for filling out 8710s and other forms. With that all said I think paper logs carry more "memories" but if an employer "hates" on me for giving them a professional printed electronic log that I have devoted more time and money into to assure accuracy they are not for me anyways.

my .02

At the FAA we are using electronic signatures for some things. Not logbooks yet, but if you have some sort of certified electronic signature (accepted by equivalent convention) it would likely be ok. This is conjecture because nothing officially exists to my knowledge, but I could be wrong.