Episode 437: Are Your Logbooks Messy from Mixing Paper and Electronics?

When Rich came to H.O.G.S. for his CFI add-on, he immediately stood out. A retired airline captain with over 26,000 hours, he carried himself with calm confidence. During his very first Zoom session, he offered to teach the S-bar maneuver off the cuff — and delivered a polished 45-minute lesson like it was second nature.

That kind of preparation and professionalism left an impression. Rich showed what it looks like when a pilot arrives fully ready, not just in the helicopter but in every detail.

Unfortunately, many applicants don’t show up that way. And one of the biggest problem areas? Logbooks.

A Viewer Question Worth Sharing

Recently, a pilot asked:

“I’ve been duplicating my paper logbook electronically as a backup. Do examiners accept electronic copies or printouts? They won’t have the instructor’s signature — could that be an issue?”

The answer is simple: yes, it’s an issue.

If your logbook doesn’t clearly show instructor signatures for dual flights and endorsements, it will not be accepted for a check-ride.

The Messy Middle

Here’s where trouble usually begins:

• Training starts in a paper logbook.
  
  
• Somewhere along the way, ForeFlight enters the picture.
  
  
• Hours and endorsements get split between the two.
  
  

Now the examiner is left flipping back and forth, piecing together training records. It looks sloppy, it feels unprofessional, and it can derail a check-ride before the flight even begins.

The Clean Solution

Pick one system and stick with it.

• Paper logbook? Great — keep it neat, complete, and signed.
  
  
• ForeFlight logbook? Excellent — log everything there from the start, including CFI endorsements.
  
  
• Mixing both? ❌ That’s where things fall apart.
  
  

If switching is the goal, finish your current rating in the system you started with. Then move forward clean in the new one.

The Takeaway from Rich

Rich’s success was more than his flying ability. It was the way he presented himself as a complete professional — consistent, prepared, and organized. If you want your examiner to see the same in you, start with your logbooks.

How H.O.G.S. Can Help

At H.O.G.S., the Final Approach Course makes sure you’re not only trained in the helicopter, but also examiner-ready on paper:

• 🚁 24-hour free test flight at HelicopterGround.com
  
  
• ✅ 30-day money-back guarantee
  
  
• 💬 AskHogs.com — Kenny’s AI clone answers logbook and training questions 24/7
  
  

Messy logbooks are one of the fastest ways to make a bad impression. Don’t let yours be the reason your check-ride falls apart.